Suzanne Bray - Blackheath High School

University Lecturer in France

After completing a BA Hons in French and German at Leeds University, I spent seven years doing church based voluntary work, mainly in the French speaking world.  During this period I gained a lot of experience in both teaching and translating which proved useful later on.

In 1990 a chance encounter with a professor at Lille University led to my studying for a Masters degree (maîtrîse) in the History of Ideas.  My supervisor encouraged to apply for a government grant in order to do a DEA (the degree between an MA and a PhD in the French system).

After the DEA I was qualified to teach at the lowest level in the French University system and so enrolled for a PhD while financing my studies by teaching both translation and British Civilisation to first and second year students in three Universities in the North of France.

Once I obtained my PhD in 1999, I applied to be qualified by the French National University Council in order to be recognized as a Maître de Conference.  Since then I have had a fulltime post in Lille where I lecture in translating and interpreting and British History and Politics to both undergraduate and post-graduate students.  My work also involves research, supervising students for their Masters theses and coordinating my university’s partnerships with various English speaking universities  all over the world.

Should I wish to be a professor, I would have to complete a substantial original research project called an habilitation”.

The advantages of a university career in France for English people – and there are a lot of us – include the relatively low cost of post graduate degree courses and the fact that it is possible to study and work at the same time.  In theory at least, all EU citizens have the same opportunities and work is relatively easy to find.  French academics are paid slightly less than in the UK, but they are also have fewer administrative and other obligations and longer holidays, unless they choose to teach on summer school courses etc.

I am quite happy to be contacted by Minerva members via the Minerva Network Development Office but cannot give work experience as this is limited to students from our numerous partner universities.  However, I am happy to hear from any Minerva members who love to work or study in the Lille area and to give advice about housing, administrative formalities or life in France generally.