I’m a Yorkshire-born writer of non-fiction and fiction, and Associate Director at the Institute for the Future of Work, where I help lead research on the impacts of AI on the creative industries.

Currently looking for a home for my new novel MARTELLO BEACH. Set in Jaywick Sands, this was, in the 1930s, known as ‘the happiest place in Britain’, but is now one of the most deprived – and is served by one N Farage MP. It was built by my great-grandfather, and sits on the bleeding edge of Britain’s coast, where climate change, immigration, deprivation, courage and kindness do battle with rising sea levels and crumbling houses.

Selected Non-fiction:

God-like: a 500-year history of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters (March 2024).

‘Beautifully written…a fascinating account of our centuries-old desire to build machines with higher intelligence and – now that we have done – our agony about what to do with them.’ – Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides, Nobel Laureate and lead of the Pissarides Review into the Future of Work and Wellbeing

Getting High: a Savage Journey to the Heart of the Dream of Flight (June 2016)

‘A beautiful meditation on flight, memory and meaning in a world still struggling to come to terms with the loss of the Most High’ – Simon Critchley, Han Jonas Professor of Philosophy, The New School, New York.

Mutiny: Why We Love Pirates, and How They Can Save Us (July 2010)

Startlingly original, subtle and substantive, written in a prose that is as lyrical as it is lucid’ – Third Way Magazine

Selected Fiction

Middle Class (June 2022)

‘Hugely accomplished’ – Lucy Morris, Curtis Brown

‘Brilliant book – truly moving, challenging, heartbreaking and confronting – a brilliant and important read.’ – 5* online review

An excerpt from Middle Class was shortlisted for Bridport Prize.

The Rot (short fiction) – shortlisted for Dinesh Allirajah Prize 2022.