Dr Walker Zupp

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Truro Cathedral

Can you give us an overview of what you have done since you completed your research degree?

I have invigilated exams, worked as a dispensary assistant, and taught at a summer school. I applied for a PGCE, but they did not think that I could “adapt to the wide variety of learner needs”. Currently, I clean toilets and do maintenance at Truro Cathedral.

I have also published all parts of my PhD thesis with real publishers (the novel, the thesis, and the rejected thesis); I have published poetry as well as my fourth novel, Morocconomics. As I’m sure you know, this doesn’t make any money, however.

How did you become interested in the area you work in?

I have always written stories and poetry.

How did you find opportunities in the area you work in and how did the recruitment process work?

I looked on Jobs.ac.uk and other job websites. I would apply through an online portal. Most of the time I never heard back; other times, I got an email saying I hadn’t been shortlisted. A few times I asked for how many applicants there had been: sometimes they gave a number, other times they said they weren’t allowed to give such information out.

What does your current role involve?

I perform maintenance, set up Church services, liaise with the clergy, and do general cleaning.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

It pays me just enough money so that I can keep writing. I currently have a new manuscript with a publisher and am looking forward to hearing back from them.

What are the challenges in your role?

Accepting that I am not working in the industry for which I was trained. I had to learn a great deal, not just about the Church of England – in my capacity as a non-believer – but also about general maintenance.

What has surprised you about your role?

The level of disorganisation in the Church of England.

Did you engage in any additional activities or roles (i.e. organising conferences, entering PGR showcase, being a PGR Rep etc.) during your research degree, and how did these help prepare you for a career beyond academia?

I attended 2 conferences where I delivered papers, I taught for 2 years at the University of Exeter, I published my own work (novels, poetry) and I reached out to academics at other universities.

I also spoke about my book, Wittgenstein Fiction (Iff Books 2025), at a Wittgenstein conference in Japan after I graduated.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Get a job or a trade, and write academic books and/or novels on the side.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ll keep applying for jobs, keep writing, and keep sending manuscripts out to publishers and agents.