Duncan was born in Truro and educated at Richard Lander School and Truro College. He completed a degree in English with Media Studies at Falmouth University (formerly Falmouth College of Arts) in 2001. He completed his doctorate on the Cornish labouring-class poet, John Harris in February 2024. This was entitled 'Visions of Carn Brea: The Labouring Class Poetry of John Harris (1820-1884)' and is available online. Duncan has also given lectures on John Harris at Falmouth University and for the John Harris Society. Also a poet, Duncan made a significant contribution to Alan M. Kent's Wave Hub: New Poetry from Cornwall (Francis Boutle, 2014) and was recommended as a poet for the South West Poetry tour in 2016 organised by the Enemies project which was co-funded by the Arts Council of England and Singing Apple Press. He is currently in the process of preparing a selection of John Harris's poems (co-edited with Alan M. Kent) for publication with the provisional title  The Trick of the Bard. Follow this link to read Duncan's Thesis; "Visions of Carn Brea"