About Me
Who am I?
As you might have been able to guess my name is Luke (he/him
pronouns) and I am currently a PhD candidate at Lancaster University, an Associate Fellow of Advance HE (AFHEA) and a professional member of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (MBCS).
Before my PhD I did my BSc in Software Engineering, also at
Lancaster, from October 2019 up to graduating with a first in 2022.
As a brief description of some of my labels, I am an autistic
individual with ADHD who also happens to be part of the LGBTQ+
community.
For a more detailed description of who I am and what I get up to, read below.
Why the website?
The reason I made this website was
partially to host my blog, but also to allow me to have all my work and interests
in one place. This will hopefully include any publications I work on or projects I take part in, either in academia or in my other activities.
As a PhD Student
My PhD is in computer science, but also has large overlaps
with educational research, psychology and sociology. The overlap is to the point
that I have two supervisors from the computing department and one from educational
research.
The current topic I am looking at is supporting the learning
and engagement of students with ADHD using technology. This is quite a personal
research project for me, due to the fact that as mentioned above, I have ADHD
and as a result am familiar with the struggle people like me face in education,
and that sometimes the current support is not enough.
My hope is that my research will help me create a better understanding
of ADHD in education, and how we can create tools to support and help students
to make the most of a more accessible education.
My research interests
My research interest beyond my current work as part of my
PhD include a variety of areas in HCI (Human Computer Interaction) as well as other
topics more on the human side, such as:
- Digital accessibility
- Inclusive technology
- Digital education and technology enhanced learning
- Technology in society and its impact on people with
protected characteristics
- Equality, Diversity and inclusivity work in society and academia
Supporting ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions
Outside of my studies
When I am not working on my PhD, I enjoy a range of activities. This includes voluntary work primarily to support students and people with disabilities or other protected characteristics. Some roles I have held are:
- Access & Inclusion Chair for the European Association of Technology Enhanced Learning (2024 - present)
- LGBTQIA+ Department Ally at Lancaster University (2021 - present)
- General member for the BCS ICT Ethics specialist group committee (2023 - 2024)
- R&D Liaison for the BCS
specialist group NeurodiverseIT committee (2022 - 2024)
- Department EDI committee Student
representative at Lancaster University (2022 - 2024)
My main recreational activities
are reading and fencing with my university club, evidence of which can be seen
to the right. I am also a registered level 1 coach with British Fencing.
