Tom Sampson

BSc (Hons) Games Software Development, Fourth year

'The open day at Sheffield Hallam was a breath of fresh air. All the staff I spoke to seemed very enthusiastic and motivated about the subject and understood the importance of practical skills and employability, in addition to the required theory.

'During my time at Sheffield Hallam I have enjoyed the course material and have found the lectures and assignments both interesting and challenging. The teaching staff, some of which have prior experience in the games industry, are approachable and are always keen to share their knowledge and expertise. Accompanying them we often get talks from professionals outside the University who offer a good insight into what is currently going on in the industry.

'When I began my course fresh out of sixth form I often found presenting, especially to large groups, rather nerve-wracking! Even from year one, you are required to get lots of practice presenting to a large audience of both students and staff. This experience came in very hand on placement where I was expected to give several important presentations, and has improved my confidence and communication skills across the board.

'I have recently enrolled on the MComp Games Software Development course after getting a taste for the games industry during placement. I would love to pursue a career in this field, preferably working on game technology and tools development.

'My work placement year was spent working for SN Systems (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) in Bristol. SN Systems produce tools for the games industry, including compiler, debugger and profiling applications for the PC for use with PSP and Playstation 3 hardware. This was an excellent experience as I was given the opportunity to work alongside some brilliant people and contribute directly to production level code. One of my placement year projects has been integrated into the latest version of the Playstation 3 Tuner application, available to developers worldwide.

'Prospective students should expect to be up against a lot of competition. Games development courses are always very popular so I would advise that you always make an effort to go beyond the material taught as part of the course and read around the course modules as much as possible. Also, make the most of the opportunities provided by the University and don’t be afraid to ask lots and lots of questions. Use the university industry links to your advantage and build up a list of contacts, this will help when looking for a placement and finding work during/after study.

Dr Adrian Oram

Senior lecturer in software engineering

I have a long and varied academic career in which I have studied in the fields of computing and civil engineering.

In computing I have been an active researcher in the areas of parallel and concurrent processing and held the post of Deputy Director of the National Transputer Centre, which was based at the University of Sheffield. My current research activities focus on grammatical inference techniques as applied in civil engineering.

I have more than 16 years lecturing experience in higher education across a range of computing and engineering areas and now concentrate on teaching computer and games console architectures and assembly level languages to games students at under and postgraduate levels.

In the game software development courses I lead the teaching of programming low level architecture and take main responsibility, along with Jake Habgood, Paul Parry and Pete Collingwood and for utilising the faculty's specialist PS2, GameCube, PSP and PS3 development console kits in their teaching.

Graham Coyne

Senior lecturer

I teach on five modules - computer technology for business; ICT infrastructure, information systems, information systems methods and organisations, and web-based information systems.

My academic background is in physics and computing. I mainly worked in the area of information systems for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and Eire in roles covering the whole of the software development life cycle. The NHS is a rich, complex and interesting domain which is often underestimated by suppliers of information systems.

For the last ten years or so I have been teaching mostly undergraduates at Sheffield Hallam, on courses covering information systems, analysis and design, computing fundamentals, and communications in a business and organisational context.

I hope that the internet and other emerging technologies may be used to promote an inclusive and healthy society.

Dr Jacob Habgood

Senior Lecturer in Games Development

My background is in the games industry working as a programmer and project-manager for Gremlin, Infogrames and Sumo-Digital over a period of 14 years. During this time I worked on over a dozen published games for the PlayStation 1 and 2, XBox, Gamecube and DS.

I teach mainly on the third and fourth years of the game software development degrees in game-specific subjects relating to 3D graphics programming and console game development (all using C++). I'm also the author of a series of books on hobbyist game development using Game Maker, which I use in my teaching to explore game design concepts.

I am studio manager of the Steel Minions Game Studio based in Sheffield Hallam's Science Park. The studio is an official PlayStation minis developer and provides a commercially licensed environment in which students can bring games to market through the PlayStation Network (PSN). The studio currently has a couple of PSP titles in development, including a reworking of the classic 90's game Zool, which was originally created in Sheffield.

I have a PhD in game-based-learning and I conduct research into the effective integration of digital games and learning content. This research was originally presented at the International Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and has recently been published in the Journal of the Learning Sciences. I have also written various articles for Gamasutra and Develop magazine.

Lynne Dawson

Senior lecturer

I have a BSc Mathematics with Computing from the University of Bath (1989), a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Warwick (2005) and am a Chartered Mathematician with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

I teach on the BSc Computing and BSc IT Management routes. I have worked at Sheffield Hallam for ten years and teach across all undergraduate levels. My main area of expertise is IT service management (based around the ITIL Framework), and I am certified in ITIL at Foundation and Intermediate level. I also teach topics such as computer technology, and architectures for enterprise applications, as well as being the co-ordinator for final year projects.

My industrial experience includes working as a front-line IT support analyst for a variety of financial institutions in the City of London, and as an IT consultant, specialising in designing and implementing highly available IT solutions for clients such as Vodafone, Transco (British Gas), Telewest, Walkers Crisps, and local governments.

Dr Paul Parry

Subject group leader in business computing

Until very recently I was the postgraduate study area leader in the area of art, design, media and computer games where I was responsible for the strategic planning of postgraduate courses, quality and procedures, resourcing and operational issues. As such I have been instrumental in setting up many of the links between the PG and UG Game Software Development courses.

I deliver core teaching on the games courses in the areas of programming and games, including C++ programming, project management, DirectX and 3D graphics. In my teaching I have promoted the collaboration of students from the disciplines of games programming and digital animation, allowing them to work together on shared projects in an attempt to mirror the way the game industry works.

I have developed working relationships with computer games companies such as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Sumo, as well as with the regional computer games company's trade association, Game Republic.

Alongside my teaching and course management responsibilities, I continue to conduct research in the area of computer graphics and software requirements engineering. I have published and presented several refereed conference and journal papers.

Bob Steele

Principal Lecturer

I have a long teaching and research career at Sheffield Hallam, working in the areas of concurrent processes, human computer interaction, multi-media systems and, more latterly, interaction design in computer games.

Together with Paul Parry, I have led the development of the MSc Game Software Development courses and has taken an active role in establishing working relationships with games companies and the regional trade association, Game Republic. I took the lead in the creation of the Academic Game Network as an academic arm of Game Republic, with the aim of creating more formal academic/company relationships in the region. I also developed the initial proposal for a national accreditation scheme for computer games courses and undertook the research and development work on behalf of Skillset for the creation of the accreditation criteria.

I have acted as external academic adviser on validation panels for computer games courses at several UK Universities, including Abertay, Portsmouth, Coventry, UCLAN and Hull. I am an external examiner at the Universities of Coventry and Lancaster.

In 2010 I instigated the proposal for the creation of the Steel Minions studio and negotiated with the University on its establishment.

I continue to deliver teaching in the areas of interaction design and approaches to games design. I have a particular interest in the development of innovation in teaching involving getting programming and arts students to collaborate on joint project work.

Pascale Vacher

Course leader for BSc/MComp Games Software Development

My interest and expertise lie in the field of programming, including object oriented design as well as implementation and programming for games. I specialise in teaching programming, especially C++ and DirectX, to students on all years of the game software development and software engineering courses, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

As the course leader for the game software development undergraduate degrees, I am the main academic contact for students on these courses. I am involved in teaching students from their first week, to the day they graduate and mentor them throughout the course. Whenever possible I aim to facilitate communication between groups of students across years and related courses and between students and staff teaching on the course.

I organise extra curriculum events such as industrial visits, student competitions and professional training courses, including Games Republic, Creative Spark and ADOBE ACA certifications courses (Flash, Dreamweaver). I coordinate activities related to the organisation, development and accreditation of these courses and have successfully led the validation (and subsequent revalidation) of these two courses.

Dr Rod Apps

Principal lecturer

I teach on the BA Business Studies, BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management courses.

After completing degrees in economics, I undertook research and teaching in economics at the Universities of Durham and Manchester. Since joining Sheffield Hallam, I have emphasised teaching in the areas of business strategy and financial services. I teach on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and additionally supervise dissertations on many of these courses.

Most of my career has been within academic institutions, including periods in Switzerland and (more recently) in China. My research interests are in the areas of the strategy formation processes within organisations, and the development of the fund management industry.

Steve Brierley

Senior lecturer and first year tutor for BSc Business and ICT, IT with Business Studies and IT Management

I teach on the information systems and ICT infrastructure modules.

I graduated from Sheffield University in electronic engineering in 1970 then took a Masters course in control systems. Following this, I worked in the steel industry for 26 years, and then ended up as the IT manager for the Stainless Division before leaving in 2000. I have extensive experience in management and technology.

I joined Sheffield Hallam in 2001 as an associate lecturer, and latterly as a full-time lecturer. My areas of expertise are knowledge management, business applications architecture, data modelling, information systems, online learning and database design.

Fiona Hollis

Senior lecturer in management strategy

I teach on six modules - understanding organisations, managing resources, strategic planning, organisation management, work-based learning, and management project.

I originally studied French and Spanish at Sheffield University, and after gaining a Diploma in Education, taught for several years in secondary schools. In 1990, I studied here at Sheffield Hallam and was awarded a Certificate in Management.

I started lecturing at Sheffield Hallam in 1991 and am a member of the strategy group. I am currently module leader for the Level 4 module understanding organisations taken by first year BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management students.

Peter Mulvihill

Senior lecturer

I teach on the managing business finance and supporting entrepreneurial ventures modules taken by BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management students.

After studying for a BA (Hons) in Business Studies at Nottingham Trent, I went on to work in accounting in industry for around five years. I then spent nearly three years as a professional drummer. After this, I returned to study a PGCE in Business and Finance at the Bolton Institute of Higher Education. I then went on to work in further education for the next six years.

I came to Sheffield Hallam in 1990 as a senior lecturer, teaching various accounting modules on professional, degree and higher national courses. I am currently the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course leader.

My area of expertise is financial accounting, with a particular interest in small businesses. Although I have been involved in some research during my academic career, I am principally a lecturer and teacher.

Mike Heselton

Senior lecturer and admissions tutor

Mike is a senior lecturer in information systems, and is also an admissions tutor.

Mike joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2003 and has worked on final year undergraduate modules of the business information systems (BIS) degree and postgraduate modules in IT project management.

His specialist area is project management and he spent 13 years as a senior project manager in large organisations such as British Steel, Cap Gemini and Royal Mail. The bulk of his time was spent managing large, complex projects that were often multinational and with multi-million pound budgets.

Outside the University Mike sits on the Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB) panel for IT project management and is also an examiner for project management on the British Computer Society's Professional Diploma. As an approved membership assessor he is involved in process of awarding CITP recognition to those applying to become chartered IT practitioners.

Mike is passionate about the role of BIS in preparing young people for careers as managers within the IT departments of large organisations. He has led a programme of promoting BIS to schools and colleges and works with employers to help shape improvements to the BIS degree.

Dr Peter Collingwood

Subject group leader in software engineering, graphics and multimedia

I have had a long academic career at Sheffield Hallam University, during which I have used my background in mathematics and control theory to underpin my lecturing and research activities in the areas of distributed computer systems and the behaviour of multiprocessor systems, mobile robotics, intelligent agents and genetic programming.

My main teaching input on the course is on programming (especially scripting languages such ActionScript and Python) and the technology of distributed systems for online gaming.

I currently occupy a senior role in the academic structures within the faculty of ACES, being the subject leader for the software engineering, graphics and multimedia group.

I was engaged as an external examiner for games courses at the University of Lincoln (Computing & Games related BSc/BA modules) and the University of Teeside (MSc/MA Games & Animation) and have also acted as an external moderator for the BSc/MComp in Computer Games Production at the University of Lincoln, and BSc in Games Application Development at the University of Abertay.

Nick Williams

Senior lecturer in enterprise and strategic management

I teach on the supporting entrepreneurial ventures module taken by BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management students.

Before joining Sheffield Hallam University I worked as a researcher, completing research and evaluation projects for central, regional and local government bodies as well as the private sector. My work included evaluations of enterprise policy (including cultural aspects such as enterprise education), business support and cluster strategy.

My interests are in entrepreneurship, competition and economic development. I am currently working on a number of research projects, mainly related to entrepreneurship in uncompetitive regions and in deprived urban neighbourhoods.

Graham Coyne

Senior lecturer

I teach on five modules - computer technology for business; ICT infrastructure, information systems, information systems methods and organisations, and web-based information systems.

My academic background is in physics and computing. I mainly worked in the area of information systems for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and Eire in roles covering the whole of the software development life cycle. The NHS is a rich, complex and interesting domain which is often underestimated by suppliers of information systems.

For the last ten years or so I have been teaching mostly undergraduates at Sheffield Hallam, on courses covering information systems, analysis and design, computing fundamentals, and communications in a business and organisational context.

I hope that the internet and other emerging technologies may be used to promote an inclusive and healthy society.

Kiefer Lee

Principal lecturer in marketing

I teach on the marketing planning and management module taken by final year BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management students.

I specialise in strategic marketing management, developing market innovations, international/global marketing and strategic alliances. I am currently programme leader for the undergraduate business and management courses. I am also an elected member of the Faculty Academic Board and the Academic Development Committee at the Business School.

As a practitioner, I am a professionally accredited Chartered Marketer, having spent a number of years in project management and business development roles in the healthcare sector, managing international marketing activities for a number of small and medium-sized companies. I am highly committed to publishing and disseminating good practice. I am the lead author of 'Global Marketing Management: Changes, New Challenges and Strategies' published by the Oxford University Press.

I am passionate about learning, teaching and assessment (LTA). I am particularly encouraged by the prospect of taking leadership and making contribution to enhancing LTA, enthusing and motivating others to do the same. I am highly committed to the development and delivery of innovative learning experiences that truly engage students in the process of constructing their own knowledge. I see this as a valuable opportunity to be exposed to the latest thinking in LTA development, and to engage in research-led reflection.

Sue Marriott

Principal lecturer, strategy and enterprise

I teach on the BA Business Studies, BA Business Studies and Enterprise Management, BSc Business, ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management courses.

Before joining Sheffield Hallam in 2002, I worked in a number of private and public sector organisations. Originally a civil servant in the Department of Employment, I worked on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme and on Business Growth Training Programmes monitoring the progress of small businesses. I then joined a private sector organisation that offered training for start-up businesses and also engaged in consultancy work in the public and private sectors.

Returning to the public sector in 1993, I worked for Sheffield Training and Enterprise Council managing their development team. This involved designing, piloting, and securing funding for a range of initiatives designed to encourage • enterprise in small businesses, and • individuals to engage in lifelong learning. From there I moved to Business Link South Yorkshire, developing a range of services for business start-ups.

My current interests are still firmly in the enterprise field, mainly focused on individual and organisational competitiveness, but I also have an interest in business ethics.

Dr John Bunning

Principal lecturer and placement tutor for BSc Business and ICT, IT with Business Studies and IT Management

After studying for a BSc at King's College, University of London, I obtained a teaching qualification and then worked in a secondary school for three years, before studying for a PhD at Leeds University. Following this, I worked as a post-doctoral research assistant at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, and after a short spell of teaching in further education, obtained a lecturing post at Nottingham Trent Polytechnic.

I came to Sheffield Hallam in 1989 and have been involved with degrees in the business and enterprise area for many years, particularly teaching the practical elements of the courses, along with year tutor duties, overseeing placement selection and visiting students on their industrial placements. In addition to these activities, I am the quality enhancement coordinator for the Department of Computing.

My areas of expertise lie in physics education and materials teaching. Research interests are in the field of liquid crystals, particularly their structural and physical properties. I have carried out research resulting in many publications and supervised and examined PhD students in this subject area over many years.

Anita Whitworth

Portfolio manager for BSc Business and ICT, IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management

I am a non-teaching member of staff whose role is to support students in their studies. I have worked at the University for several years supporting students on computing and business and enterprise courses.

After gaining a degree in American studies/history I moved into the travel industry where she gained managerial experience before moving to Sheffield Hallam University in 2004. I have since gained a Masters degree in history from Sheffield Hallam.

My work interests lie in looking at ways of making students' experience at Sheffield Hallam as positive and enjoyable as possible. In order to facilitate this I have undergone training in counselling, coaching and mentoring and helping students with learning difficulties, particularly Aspergers syndrome.

Paul Henderson

Senior lecturer

My main teaching areas are project management, system design, and database implementation (Microsoft Access)

I teach preparatory year, first year and second year students, both foundation degree and named degree. I am interested in the analysis and design processes that lead to database implementation and am keen to show students the usefulness of Microsoft Access.

I worked for many years in various roles in the computer industry and try to use that experience in my teaching, where appropriate.

Dr Andrew Hirst

Senior lecturer in enterprise and business development

I teach on three modules - new venture creation, managing a growing business, and supporting entrepreneurial ventures (taken by BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management students).

I gained a PhD from Loughborough University in marketing research. I specialised in multivariate data analysis which include techniques such as conjoint analysis, regression/discriminant analysis, factor/cluster analysis and was a post-doctoral researcher in relationship management and new product development.

My academic career has so far resulted in publications in prestigious marketing journals and conference proceedings, such as European Journal of Marketing, Marketing Letters and the proceedings of the European Marketing Academy. I have practical research experience in marketing research and this work included focus group, interviews, data analysis, eye tracking studies, location planning and forecasting.

I also have a blue chip career background working at companies such as British Aerospace, Experian, Tesco, Gala Group, IDmagasin and Business Link. I have worked with over 200 SMEs and been a consultant to a range of market sectors that involved project working for Coca Cola, Warburton's, KwikSave, TSB, Orange Telecomms, and major banks.

Dr Peter O’Neill

Associate lecturer and acting module leader for programming for computing

I joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2008 as an associate lecturer in Visual Basic to first year undergraduates. In 2009 I extended my role and became the acting module leader for programming for computing, as well as supervising undergraduates with their final year BSc projects and postgraduates with their MSc projects.

In addition, I work at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield and I also run my own company called Madhouse Software Productions Ltd, developing software applications in the domain of electronic assistive technology (EAT), for the elderly and disabled, the research areas I obtained my PhD.

Prior to the above employment, I worked for the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Department at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, undertaking research in the enhancement of the prescription of integrated EAT (IEAT). For example, communication aids (speaking on behalf of the users), environmental controls (turning the television, lights etc., on and off in the users home) and mobility (driving an electric wheelchair), all of which were controlled by a single personal computer. During this time I also lectured at Barnsley College, teaching students to program in C / C++.

My main area of interest and focus is single switch-based EAT) That is the creation of software applications, to improve the prescription of assistive technology (AT) and the use of these technologies, to enhance the user's quality of life.

Dr Simon Clark

Head of Business and Enterprise Group

I teach on the BSc Business and ICT, BSc IT with Business Studies and BSc IT Management courses.

After studying for a BSc at Reading University, I worked for several years as a product manager for a research company specialising in the development of communication technologies. I subsequently studied for a PhD at Cardiff University and then went on to be a research fellow at Barcelona University.

I came to Sheffield Hallam in 1994 as a senior and later principal lecturer. I currently lead the business and enterprise group.

My areas of expertise lie in the fundamental principles that underpin ICT and its strategic application to business, combined with the development of enterprise teaching and learning (see http://venturematrix.shu.ac.uk/). My research interests lie in nanotechnology, focused on developing the next generation of satellite, mobile communication and display systems.

I have authored over 60 research articles, supervised many PhD students and carried out research with a number of European universities, and telecoms, communications and automotive organisations in Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China.