An award-winning novelist and former Senior Lecturer who transforms trauma into wisdom through engaging storytelling. After 27 years teaching creative writing at university level, Ros now helps high-achieving women recognize patterns of abuse, manipulation, and self-sabotage through psychological excavation disguised as powerful personal stories.
Academic Credentials: PhD, Desmond Elliott Prize winner for The Marlowe Papers, Poetry Book Society Recommendation. Her work appears in educational curricula and has been featured on BBC Radio 3 & 4.
Personal Authority: Domestic abuse survivor who rebuilt her life, creative practice, and sense of worth. Experienced EFT practitioner specializing in rapid emotional clearing techniques.
What She Offers Audiences
Core Message: “Your worst experiences can become your greatest strengths”
Ros shows audiences how to:
- Recognize manipulation patterns before they destroy your potential
- Transform trauma into wisdom through psychological pattern recognition
- Build authentic confidence through evidence-based emotional clearing
- Trust your instincts when everyone says you’re “overreacting”
- Break generational cycles of abuse and dysfunction
Why She Resonates
Vulnerable Authority – Ros speaks from both expertise and experience. She’s not a theorist discussing trauma from the outside; she’s someone who lived it, grew from it, and now helps others do the same.
Pattern Recognition Gifts – With scholarly training and hard-won wisdom, she helps audiences see the psychological patterns they’ve been living unconsciously.
British Wit + Deep Wisdom – Her humour makes difficult truths digestible while her insights create lasting transformation.
Speaking Topics
“The Winking Lights of Recognition: How to Spot Abuse Before It Destroys You”
Perfect for women’s leadership events, professional development
- Coercive control tactics in relationships and workplaces
- Why intelligent women stay in toxic situations
- Early warning signs you’re being manipulated
- Building unshakeable inner authority
“Firehose Your Fears: From Trauma to Triumph”
Ideal for trauma-informed organizations, healthcare, therapeutic conferences
- How childhood trauma creates adult self-sabotage
- Body wisdom: what your symptoms are telling you
- Evidence-based techniques for rapid emotional clearing
- Creating safety to unlock your potential
“The Creative Process in a Nutshell: Writing Through Pain”
Perfect for literary events, creative conferences, writing organizations
- How trauma blocks creativity and how to unlock it
- Academic writing vs. authentic voice
- Building a sustainable creative practice despite life chaos
- Turning your story into art that helps others
“Money, Power & the Half-Million Pound Wife”
Powerful for business women’s groups, entrepreneurship events
- Financial abuse: the hidden career killer
- How money becomes a weapon in toxic relationships
- Building economic independence after abuse
- Negotiating your worth in life and business
Audience Impact
Immediate Recognition – Audiences experience “winking lights of recognition” as Ros names patterns they’ve lived but couldn’t articulate.
Permission to Leave – Her stories give people permission to trust their instincts and exit toxic situations.
Tools for Healing – Practical EFT techniques for emotional regulation and stress elimination.
Reduced Isolation – Deep relief that they’re not alone, not crazy, and not unfixable.
Platform & Reach
- How to Evolve Substack: 4,000+ engaged subscribers in 12 months
- Top-performing content: Trauma recognition stories
- Academic credibility: 27 years university teaching, published scholar
- Media experience: BBC Radio appearances, literary festival circuit
Speaking Logistics
- Formats: Keynotes (45-60 min), workshops (half/full day), panels, literary events
- Audiences: 50-2000 people
- Approach: Interactive, story-driven, practical tools provided
Booking Information
- Speaking Fee: Tailored to event type and budget – Book a discovery call for a quote
- Travel: Based in Brighton, UK
- Tech Requirements: Standard A/V setup
- Materials: Practical tools and resources provided
Ros Barber transforms pain into power through psychological excavation disguised as honest storytelling. Her audiences leave with both practical tools and the deep recognition that they’re not alone in their struggles.