Mike's on a Mission!

It may be over 60 years since the end of the conflict, however World War Two is still resonating through the minds of today?s youth.

And in the case of Edge Hill student Mike Taylor (pictured), such is his interest in that particular chapter of history that he?s writing his PhD on it!

The 26-year-old from Prescot, who already has a first degree in Film Studies and English to his name, is to embark on research into World War Two literature and film adaptations.

"There?s a mass of material on this particular war however some of the historical detail is often contradictory," said Mike, who went travelling in America as an 18-year-old before going on to work as a youth worker at Knowsley Council. "It?s my aim to address this shortcoming while attempting to produce an extensive study of the adapted war film.

"I will also scrutinise how war films and literature are constructed in response to an historical event, asking questions like 'why was the film made in this year?, which will give me a good basis for my research and my thesis more focus."

Whilst researching his PhD, Mike will also be lecturing part-time on Film Studies ? a far cry from his days working as a climbing instructor!

"Film was always just a hobby of mine and I never really imagined I'd end up lecturing on it," he added. "Once my research is complete I hope to lecture full-time and go on to get some of my critical work published."

Mike?s research is expected to take three to four years and takes in classics such as The Eagle Has Landed, The Dirty Dozen and A Bridge Too Far.