Overview
I am a Senior Lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth with particular interest in teaching design thinking, and the role that creativity and making have in the design process.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- MA Creative Thinking (University of Central Lancashire)
- BA (Hons) Model Design (University of Hertfordshire)
- HND Design (University of Hertfordshire)
Teaching Qualification
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education: Lifelong Learning Sector (University of Greenwich)
Teaching
I lead the BA (Hons) Sustainable Design course here at Arts University Bournemouth, and teach across the School of Design and Architecture. As a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, I am responsible for development and delivery of curricula, and the day-to-day running of our Sustainable Design programme. I work directly with students to teach and help them to develop their work.
I have acted as External Examiner for Special Effects, Modelmaking, and Special Effects Make-Up programmes.
I have advised on the validation of Modelmaking and Design programmes at University of Hertfordshire, Barking and Dagenham College and Arts University Bournemouth.
I previously taught at University of Hertfordshire, as a part time Lecturer and Visiting Tutor.
I have also designed and developed short courses and evening courses at Arts University Bournemouth.
Research
Research Interests and Projects
I have a background in professional model making, having worked with architects and designers to realise prototypes and scale models before beginning to teach. I maintain a small workshop and continue to be a 'designer / maker' alongside teaching. My 'Dazzle Chess' design was exhibited as part of the 'Dazzle and the Art of Defence' exhibition in 2019, and I have had lamp designs published in 'Make' magazine. I recently developed and facilitated the first of the School's 'Graduate Futures' collaborative projects, helping first year students to appreciate the creative community that they have joined. 'Poetic Observations' resulted in an exhibition and a book.
I am fascinated by creativity, creative thinking and ideation, using this interest to help Arts University Bournemouth students to gain confidence in their ideas, and how they might develop them. My study of Creative Thinking has led to me creating 'One Thousand Terrible Ideas' or 'OKti', a mantra or philosophy that aims to illustrate how quantity of ideas should be valued over quality in the early stages of design projects.
I am very open to collaboration with other course / institutions, especially in the form of collaborative student projects and external examining opportunities.
Professional Engagement
I held the position of Vice President for Education with the Association of Professional Model Makers for several years, aiming to aid connections between the association and students of modelmaking. A highlight was the Art Hedlund Student Model Making Competition, which I reimagined as an online event during the Covid19 pandemic. This enabled many more international entries than any previous events and has greatly increased the association's online profile. Search for #APMMawards on Instagram...
Memberships
Advance HE Membership
- Fellow (FHEA)
Professional Memberships
- Association of Professional Modelmakers, Education Membership.