When Isaac Burnett joined the Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) programme at the University of Stirling, his aim was straightforward: to learn more about teaching and gain a qualification that would strengthen his career. What followed was a period of discovery that reshaped how he thought about education, creativity, and his own professional path.
“I’d caught the teaching bug a few years before,” Isaac says. “The TQFE felt like the logical next step, but the experience was far more than I expected. I learned about planning and assessment, but also about the deeper values that shape teaching. It opened my eyes to new ideas and new ways of thinking about what education can do.”
That sense of exploration led to Mimetolith, an idea that began as a coursework project and developed into something much more ambitious. The concept was to use art and performance to support people affected by crime, creating opportunities for reflection and self-expression through storytelling, illustration, writing, and physical theatre.
From assignment to award-winning idea
During his placement at Dundee and Angus College, Isaac was already using creative methods to engage learners. For one assignment on the TQFE course, he imagined Mimetolith as a pilot programme that could extend this approach into community and justice settings. The more he worked on the idea, the more he began to see how it might take shape in the real world.
Through the University’s Enterprise Programme, Isaac learned about the Converge Performing and Production Arts Challenge, a competition that supports new creative businesses. He refined his proposal, took part in mentoring sessions, and sought advice from staff at Converge and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Their feedback helped turn Mimetolith from an academic idea into a practical and persuasive business plan.
In October 2025, Isaac’s work was recognised at the Converge Awards in Edinburgh, where he won the £5,000 Performing and Production Arts Challenge. The award, supported by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, celebrates students, graduates, and staff who use their creative skills to build sustainable enterprises.
“Winning the award feels incredible,” Isaac says. “But what matters most is what it means for Mimetolith. It’s a chance to make a real impact in criminal justice settings, and to show that art and education can help people see themselves and their stories in new ways.”
The beginning of a new chapter
The recognition from Converge marks the start of Mimetolith’s journey rather than the end. With funding and continued support from Stirling and its enterprise network, Isaac is now working to develop the project further and connect with partners across Scotland’s arts and justice sectors.
Looking back, he credits the University of Stirling with giving him the space to think differently and the confidence to act on an idea that began in the classroom.
“It all started at Stirling,” he says. “The course didn’t just teach me how to be a better lecturer. It showed me how education and creativity can work together to change lives.”
Are you inspired by Isaac’s story? Get in touch with the Enterprise Programme to find out how we can support your idea!