The story begins with my mother allowing me to join the public library at age ten. After reading all the books in the children’s library, I was permitted to use my mother’s two non-fiction cards for the grown-ups’ library. I systematically went through the philosophy, psychology, sociology, and esoteric stacks.

Formally, the journey started off studying for a degree in Journalism. After realizing that Marx did not include metaphysical possibilities, I had to consider in which two of the three disciplines left I might major. I chose Psychology and Social Anthropology, with a sub-major in Industrial Sociology.

At the end of my second year, I was awarded a bursary from the Chamber of Mines that included a three-year stint with the Chamber after graduating with an Honours degree in Psychology. It proved a miracle (financially) and a blessing: I spent an immeasurably valuable seven years engaged in research for their Human Resources division. It was an exciting time in the mining industry: trade unions, specifically the NUM, were just beginning to have an influence. Using archival methods, I continued to create a conflict database, refined it, and reported the significant correlations that emerged [1]. I also constructed, conducted, and analysed attitudinal surveys to identify trends that would inform management and executives’ decisions.

In the course of earning a living as a researcher (and within four years, Principal Researcher), I continued my independent learning in Philosophy I and Science of Religion I through UNISA, and then registered for a Master of Research in Psychology at Rhodes University. I returned to Grahamstown to complete my thesis The Meaning of Stress: A Qualitative Approach [2], while holding the position of Junior Lecturer in the Psychology Department in 1988. At the end of that year, I was selected for a paid clinical psychology internship and graduated with distinction in 1991. For the following five years, I held the position of Lecturer in the Psychology Department, teaching critical social psychology and methodology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels; published a paper and had a review of a work published [3]; practised, taught, and supervised candidates in the clinical program; and was registered for a PhD that explored lesbian gender diversity and development [4].

Reading a PhD, especially in psychology and about a personal question, runs the risk of whipping the carpet out from underneath one’s feet and whip the carpet that journey did. Now, Dr Crowley, my attention shifted toward more metaphysical matters after 2001. I initiated and wrote for a magazine called Talking Total Health [5], distributed free from health shops. I reviewed, experienced, and promoted alternative healing modalities, served on the committee for the Creative Living Festival, and was part of a group that initiated and edited a community-based newsletter, the Walmer-Gqebera Network Newsletter [6]. I earned a living teaching English to Asian students who had enrolled in degree programs at Nelson Mandela Bay University. 

In 2005, I was contracted by Language Online, an agency initially contracted to evaluate (grade) essays for Ashford University, and later to review student papers for Smarthinking, a Pearson-based company. Over the next 16 years, in addition to evaluating and reviewing a steady stream of student essays, I edited over 500 dissertations on behalf of the agency. Students were mostly from Peru and the USA. I completed the equivalent of English II for UNISA, where I was awarded a certificate as the most promising student in English Literature, and participated in numerous community courses and initiatives focused on designing and conducting HIV/AIDS workshops. 

More recently, I completed a TEFL certificate [7], and I am currently engaged in establishing an independent presence as an editor, tutor, and coach for academic excellence under the guidance of the Remotania Coaching program. You can find me on Upwork.com or contact me directly right here and now.

[1] List of Reports and Presentations while employed at the Chamber of Mines

[2] Crowley, M. L. (1991). Discovering the Meaning of Stress: A Qualitative Approach. Master in Research Psychology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:2957?site_name=GlobalView&view=null&f0=sm_subject%3A%22Stress+%28Psychology%29%22&f1=sm_creator%3A%22Crowley%2C+Michelle+Laureen%22&sort=null

[3] Crowley, M. L. (1995). Crisis as challenge: Counselling counsellors, persons living with HIV/AIDS and survivors. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 10(2):35-52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12291992/

Crowley, M. L. (1996). Book Review: Social Psychology. Journal of Psychology in South Africa 26(4), 258-259. https://doi.org/10.1177/008124639602600411

[4] Crowley, M. L. (2001). Sapphic Experience: Lesbian Gender Identity Development and Diversity. Doctoral Thesis in Psychology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:2956?site_name=GlobalView&view=null&f0=sm_publisher%3A%22Faculty+of+Humanities%2C+Psychology%22&f1=sm_creator%3A%22Crowley%2C+Michelle+Laureen%22&sort=null&f2=sm_type%3A%22PhD%22

[5] Example of an article from Talking Total Health

[6] Example of an article published in the Walmer-Gqebera Newsletter

[7] TEFL Certificate of Achievement