Laura studied at the University of East Anglia, where she was awarded an MA (2002) and Ph.D (2007) in Creative and Critical Writing.

Laura has held academic posts at Newcastle University, as Lecturer in Creative Writing (2013-2014) and RCUK Academic Fellow in Creative Writing (2007-2013); University of East Anglia, Associate Tutor, School of American Studies (25/9/06-15/1/07) and Course Director Centre for Continuing Education (2006) and Associate Tutor, School of Literature and Creative Writing, 2004-2006, Laura was selected by the British Council to promote the work of women in Britain and South Africa and worked at University of Western Cape, Lecturer Cape Town, South Africa , (1999); Visiting Writer/Tutor, St. Andrews University (1997-98)

Laura has more than ten years’ experience in broadcast television and radio. Her second novel, Strange Music (2008) was listed for the Orange Prize, 2009, and nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, 2009. Laura has been invited to read from and talk about her work in Britain and overseas. Laura is also an Honorary Fellow of International Writing Program, Iowa University.

Laura is currently programme Leader for the Creative Writing MA. 

Laura is a writer of Caribbean heritage. Her first novel, Flight of Black Swans (Duckworth: London, 1995) is set in Aboriginal Australia and received very favourable reviews. Her second novel, Strange Music, (Jonathan Cape 2008; Vintage, London 2009) was Orange Prize Listed 2009; Nominated for International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2009; and selected for Pearson Edexcel's Black British Writing A level reading guide 2017/18. The book offers a fictional exploration of Elizabeth Barret Browning’s family from the Creole and black slave woman's perspective. Her third novel, Lying Perfectly Still, (extract in Johannesburg Review of Books, 2017) has been SI Leeds Literary Prize listed 2018 and 2020.