Welcome
Meet the team
We’ve pulled together a team of educators from Lancaster’s School of Computing and Communications (SCC) to produce this exciting course. Between us, we have years of experience in the fields of physical computing, embedded systems and the Internet of Things. We even helped to build one of the most modern and popular physical computing platforms – the BBC micro:bit!
Professor Joe Finney
Joe Finney is a Professor at the Lancaster University SCC. His research focuses on democratising access to technology, empowering anyone to innovate with new and emerging technologies. He regularly works with colleagues at Microsoft Research, ARM and Samsung and is a founding member of the product team for the BBC micro:bit, which is helping to introduce physical computing to a whole new generation of young people. His previous work includes developing technology behind novel smart lighting displays used by artists to create interactive lighting installations, and he recently started a collaboration with Jack Irving to develop an immersive lighting installation for Blackpool Illuminations.Lorraine Underwood
Lorraine Underwood is a Senior Teaching Associate in the SCC at Lancaster University. Lorraine has previously worked as a computing teacher in schools, and has written content for companies such as the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, Raspberry Pi and has just released her first book: Save the World with Code: 20 Fun Projects for All Ages Using Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, and Circuit Playground Express.Dr Steven Houben
Steven Houben is a Lecturer in Interactive Systems. Together with his research team, he works on topics around cross-device computing, augmented reality, physical computing, and IoT (Internet of Things) systems. Steven’s work combines human-centred design and interaction concepts with new interactive systems, machine learning, toolkits and interaction techniques. He has collaborated with industry research partners such as Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Bosch or Digital Catapult.We’ll also be joined by guest experts and academics in the field of physical computing, who share their insight into how they’ve used technology creatively, and reveal the paths which led them into this dynamic and creative field.- Professor Sumi Helal, Chair in Digital Health at Lancaster University
- Dr Rodger Lea, visiting researcher at Lancaster University
- Bartek Szatkowski, Principal Software Engineer from ARM, Cambridge
- Dr Teddy Syed, Post-Doctoral Researcher at Microsoft
Over to you
Now you know about us, we’d like to know about you! Use the Comments section to introduce yourself and share your motivation for learning about physical computing.
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