Personal statement

Marissa is a part-time PhD student in Creative Writing. Her contextual research will explore the short story form as a mode of apology. For the creative component, Marissa will produce a collection of short stories. Marissa writes short stories and flash fiction. Her publications and prizes can be found at www.marissahoffmann.com

Marissa has had an extensive international career supporting NGOs, UN bodies as well as global corporates in banking, energy and medtech. She has a special interest in social policy, environmental change & sustainability and DE&I. She is a freelance editor and content writer.

Academic qualifications

  • MSc (with Distinction), Social Policy and Planning for Developing Countries, The London School of Economics
  • BA (Hons), Modern Dutch Studies and European Literature – The University of Hull and an Erasmus student at The University of Utrecht.

Thesis title

Equipment for Living – The Short Story as a Mode of Apology

Research supervisors

Research interests

  • Creative Writing
  • The Short Story
  • Theories of Apology
  • Empathy
  • Hermeneutics and phenomenology
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Philosophical Fiction
  • Narratives.