- Communication and Media Research Institute
About me
I am Professor of Film & Television and Head of Screen in the School of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster. I’m an award-winning practitioner, researcher and academic leader with over 20 years’ experience in the film and television industries and education.
My career began at Sight & Sound, the British Film Institute’s international film magazine, before moving into directing and producing for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Nickelodeon and Disney. I have screened my work globally and hold credits on multiple BAFTA- and RTS-winning programmes.
My teaching and research are grounded in inclusive, collaborative and innovative screen education and creative leadership. I’m passionate about bridging the gap between the screen industries and academia, and about helping students develop the skills, confidence and critical awareness to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
I currently serve as Deputy Chair of NAHEMI (the National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image), represent the UK in the European Region of the International Association of Film and Television Schools (GEECT/CILECT), and previously served on CILECT’s Standing Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (SCEDI). I also sit on the board of the historic Regent Street Cinema.
Teaching
I’m experienced in film, television and media education, with particular expertise in production and pre-production. I’ve supervised student films that have won prestigious national and international awards, and I currently supervise research projects on BA Film, one of the longest-running film courses in the UK.
I’m an experienced external examiner for film, television and media production and screenwriting courses in the UK and internationally. My approach is collaborative and inclusive, encouraging students to take creative risks and develop their own voice through situated learning, festivals and industry partnerships.
I’m a Vice-Chancellor’s Award winner for Innovative Teaching
Research
My research interests include inclusive screen education, collaborative creativity, gender, labour and leadership, documentary, practice-based research, and the intersection of screen practice and social justice.
I’m the co-author of The TV Studio Production Handbook (Bloomsbury) and co-editor of the forthcoming collection Collaborative Creativity in the Film and Television Industries (Routledge). I regularly speak at public and industry events, serve on festival juries including South by Southwest (SXSW), FEST – New Directors | New Films, and the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), and have delivered masterclasses around the world, including in China, India, Malaysia, Portugal and Nigeria.
I welcome PhD enquiries in areas such as screen practice, production studies, documentary and screenwriting practices, and creative collaboration in film and television.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.