Our students have access to a broad range of disciplines, academics and researchers.

Michael Holley

Head of Department, Creative & Digital Technologies

Michael, a former freelance writer/producer/director, has broadcast credits as a director on short form factual content, a screenwriter for BBC Drama, and as producer of internationally successful short films.

Stuart Harmer

Head of Department, Engineering & Design

Professor Stuart Harmer, an active researcher and Head of Department, has recently studied the interaction of light with subwavelength structures (for commercial use) and undertaken research on concealed weapons detection for the Met Police.

Seamus Higson

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Sustainability and Enterprise)

Professor Higson has more than 20 years’ experience of bringing fundamental research through to practical implementation and full commercialisation – based on technologies ranging from biomedical biosensors through to smart wound dressings and sensors.

Nader Anani

Head of Electronics & Electrical Engineering

Dr Nader Anani is an active researcher and chairs international conferences on the latest innovations in smart technologies and sustainable energy.

Stephen Baysted

Professor of Film, TV and Games Composition

Stephen Baysted, a professional composer and audio director, has scored many games, feature films, TV series and advertisements.

Fleur Costello

Senior Lecturer

Fleur has over twenty years’ experience in Film and Television. She has written feature films, broadcast TV drama, documentaries and sit coms.

Steve Couch

Senior Lecturer

Steve Couch has over 30 years of international experience in all aspects of broadcast and was Emmy-nominated for his editing of BBC Horizon's Dawn of Man.

Catherine Harper

Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Catherine Harper’s doctoral research developed three dimensionally woven glass fibre preforms with high tensile strength and flexural rigidity performance for use in the automotive industry.

Adam Locks

Programme Coordinator of Media & Communications, Film & Television

Dr Adam Locks hosts the ‘Dept. of Media Presents’ series, interviewing key figures from television and cinema on campus. His research interests include horror cinema and television, American television drama, exploitation cinema, and podcasting.

Darren Mapletoft

Programme Coordinator of Digital Film Production and Digital Film Technologies

Prior to his academic career, Darren ran a successful independent film company and, as cameraman, director, and producer, worked on a range of factual, entertainment and drama programmes.

Howard Taylor

Head of Mechanical Engineering & Materials

Dr Howard Taylor, a metallurgist and experienced lecturer, works with industry and as an expert police witness in road traffic accidents.

Ian Worden

Programme Coordinator of Sports Media

Ian Worden pioneered the Sports Media course and has research interests including sport and the media, advertising, Hollywood and British cinema, sports journalism, and cultural and critical theory.

David Heaton

Head of Product Design

David teaches across the Product Design and Engineering programmes. He has extensive industry experience with international companies and his own industrial design consultancy.

Max Tyrie

Head of 3D Animation and VFX

Max Tyrie is a two time BAFTA winning Animator, with over 20 years experience in the VFX industry on films including “The Amazing Spiderman 1 & 2”, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Walking With Dinosaurs”.

Cliff Harden

Senior Lecturer in Digital Film Production

With a career spanning 29 years, Cliff has shot and directed feature films, short dramas, commercials, music promos and documentaries and can account for around 2000 hours of live transmission.

Find out more about our academics