With a background at the intersection of mathematics and computer science, Neil has been influential in computers in education since the mid-1990s. His early work included a role on the Computers in Teaching Initiative’s steering committee for mathematics, as universities were carrying out the early adoption of computing technology. He led the technology theme for a discipline network developing graduate skills for mathematics students across the UK.
Since joining the University of Hull in 2000, Neil has continued to influence practice. Neil believes that students should be given the opportunity and support to excel and to develop skills so they can contribute to the world’s development. This is illustrated with his commitment to teaching sustainable development within computing so that students appreciate the importance of computer science to the world now. This was further highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how computing technologies have supported people in pivoting on mass to online learning, online shopping, and online socialising.
Neil sits on the British Computer Society special interest groups; on Green IT and ethics. Two areas that reflect the sustainable computing theme that he has professed. Computer science has some particular challenges. Whilst critical to the modern world, computing degrees typically perform poorly in terms of attainment, retention and employability. Neil has contributed to national projects on improving the employability of computing graduates, alongside his many initiatives to improve the student experience and outcomes.
Neil’s recent work has focussed on how to provide students with choice. He has developed flexible learning and pedagogy that can utilise emerging technologies; from Artificial Intelligence, Learning Analytics and mobile learning to allow students to choose where, how and when to study. His expertise was recognised by Advance HE, who commissioned his report on Technology and Flexible Pedagogy. His work has been widely utilised, with universities, the National Health Service, and many countries wanting to enhance their online provision.