Dr Matt Lodder

“Essex has been my home since 1987, when I was just seven years old. I went to school in Chelmsford, and was fortunate enough to be able to return to work at the University of Essex back in 2013. Culturally, this county has meant everything to me – so much so that I have ‘S6’ tattooed on my thumbs! Growing up, I frequently attended punk shows and travelled across the county to see bands. I also learned about film in Essex’ cinemas, literature in our libraries, and art and history in its museums and country houses. Today, I teach my students about architecture, taking them to some of the radical buildings in our county, including Brentwood Cathedral, Grayson Perry’s House for Essex, and to the modernist architecture of East Tilbury and Silver End. We also visit Colchester Arts Centre, which brings some of my favourite avant-garde bands to a tiny church!”