Writer, Filmmaker, Mother, Grandmother
The day of the viva finally came and I am delighted to say that on Wednesday the 12th of November I passed! The viva, held by the examination committee at the University of Stirling, was robust and intense. I have some amendments to make, but to say I'm pleased to have passed is an understatement.… Continue reading Viva voce!
I guess it seems quiet on the PhD thesis front, but it isn't. As you'll know from my last update, I have submitted my thesis, and this is where another chapter begins (if that makes sense!). Given my Viva Voce is really close now, presumably my examination committee are reading, or have read my thesis,… Continue reading It’s all been leading to this…
This beautiful book, edited by Fiona Skillen, Helena Byrne and Gary James, was published by Peter Lang and launched at the Irish Embassy in London this month (September 2025). I'm thrilled to have written a chapter in the collection, writing about documentary films I have made with my company purpleTV, which feature women in football.… Continue reading Histories of Women’s Football in Britain and Ireland
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about women who have made history - even if history hasn't… Continue reading Aye Write book festival
And that's it! After two crazy years, which were marred by horrendous grief and major surgery, I've managed to stick to my self imposed deadline and submit my thesis. I feel flat, rather than ecstatic, but only because I can't shake off the feeling that my commitment to my work, and its ability to demand… Continue reading PhD thesis submitted.
Yesterday, the 26th of May, marked six months since my beautiful daddy died on the 26th of November 2024. It also marks six painfully long months since I caressed my fingers around his, his voice no longer even a whisper, his light fading. In the early hours of that morning, I kissed him goodbye, praying… Continue reading Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Sideline podcast and Glasgow City FC are hosting a special screening of my 2020 Royal Television Society award winning film, The Women Who Built Glasgow City. I'm thrilled about this as the premiere screening scheduled to take place at the Everyman Cinema in Glasgow (pre BBC ALBA transmission) had to be cancelled because of… Continue reading The Women Who Built Glasgow City
It's lovely to be included in this important new book from Edinburgh University Press. It's called Women Who Dared and is 'stories of resistance, power and defiance from the women who dared to make history'. It's edited by Ben Fletcher-Watson and Jo Shaw and the forward is by the amazing Sara Sheridan. My essay is on… Continue reading Women Who Dared
It's been a while since I've posted a wee update on my thesis progress, but I have a very good reason. I've been busy, writing, and as of yesterday (20th March) I completed a full draft of my thesis. I'm going to pause and take a wee moment to appreciate this. The last 18 months… Continue reading On the road
It has been forty two days since my dad died. In terms of a number it has no real meaning, not in the sense of it being aligned to a specific date, like a month or two months, or even a birthday or an anniversary. It is another day of losing him again. A day,… Continue reading Notes of a life
Margot McCuaig 