I am Professor of Artificial Intelligence at York St John University. I joined the University in 2025 after more than two decades in higher education, having previously held a range of academic and leadership roles at Keele University. I hold a BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering (Systems) from the University of Sheffield and a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Plymouth.
Throughout my career, I have sought to build strong connections between academia, industry and the wider community, recognising that the greatest advances often come through collaboration across disciplines and sectors. My work has enabled me to engage with colleagues, businesses and organisations from a wide range of professional backgrounds, helping to shape innovative approaches to the application of emerging technologies.
Alongside my academic work, I have always valued leadership, mentorship and collegiality. I enjoy supporting colleagues at all stages of their careers, contributing to the development of academic communities, and helping to create environments in which people can thrive. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive culture that values curiosity, integrity and lifelong learning.
At York St John University, I am passionate about contributing to the University's strategic ambitions through collaboration, innovation and partnership. I believe Artificial Intelligence has the potential to enhance research, education and professional practice across disciplines, and I am committed to ensuring its development and application are guided by ethical principles and a focus on delivering meaningful benefit to society.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that computer science and AI education should inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Over my career, I have designed and delivered a broad range of modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, spanning programming fundamentals, mobile application development, data science and machine learning. I place particular emphasis on developing students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, supported by authentic, industry-relevant experiences.
As programme director and director of education in the past, I led the redesign and expansion of academic portfolios, with the creation of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as apprenticeship and online programmes. I also developed partnerships with leading employers to co-design data science curricula, enabling apprenticeships and live project opportunities that enhanced employability and student engagement.
My dedication to excellence in education has been recognised through multiple student-led award nominations. As a Senior Fellow of the HEA, I remain committed to championing evidence-based, inclusive, and innovative pedagogy that prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
My research integrates Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science to address complex, real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. I have published in national and international journals and conferences and led high-impact projects funded by UKRI and privately by companies. My work applies AI techniques across diverse domains, including health and medicine, biology, education, farming/agri-tech, and industry.
A distinctive feature of my research is its translational focus, turning academic innovation into tangible societal and industrial outcomes. I have successfully led multiple Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and enterprise collaborations with organisations such as Bentley Motors, TMT First, London Stone, and RAFT Solutions. These projects have improved business processes, enhanced data-driven decision-making, and provided rich opportunities for students and researchers to engage with industry.
Beyond research income and outputs, I value collaboration and mentorship. I have supervised multiple PhD and MPhil students to completion and maintain active partnerships with clinical and academic colleagues in the UK and Europe. Looking ahead, my research aims to advance ethical, explainable AI applications that deliver measurable benefit to individuals, institutions, and communities worldwide.
