About

I am Programme Leader and Lecturer for BA (Hons) Interior Design at the University of Derby. I teach across all levels of the programme, with a particular focus on design studio practice, the design process, professional development and preparing students for progression into the interior design industry.

Before moving into higher education, I spent 15 years working within the interior design industry, progressing to senior design leadership roles. My professional experience included concept development and creative direction, client liaison, project delivery and mentoring design teams. This experience continues to inform my approach to teaching and programme leadership, bridging academic learning with the realities of contemporary professional practice.

As an educator, I take a practice-informed and coaching-led approach to teaching. I am particularly interested in how studio culture, reflection, peer learning and industry engagement can support students to become confident, independent and resilient designers.

As Programme Leader, I am focused on developing a distinctive, industry-connected Interior Design programme that prepares graduates for a rapidly changing profession. This includes strengthening relationships with industry and external partners, developing interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and exploring how emerging technologies, including AI, can be meaningfully integrated into interior design education and practice.

Teaching responsibilities

My academic practice focuses on supporting students through the design process, from research and concept development through to visual communication and professional practice.

I support students in developing their individual design identity alongside the creative, critical, technical and professional skills needed to progress into interior design practice.

As Programme Leader, I provide academic leadership for the Interior Design programme, shaping its ongoing development across curriculum, student experience, industry engagement, progression and graduate employability.

Professional interests

My academic practice is shaped by my experience across both interior design practice and higher education, with a particular focus on bridging the relationship between design education and professional practice. I am interested in how students develop not only creative and technical capability, but the confidence, independence and professional awareness needed to establish their own identity as emerging designers.

A coaching-led approach is central to my practice. Through dialogue, questioning, reflection and constructive challenge, I encourage students to take ownership of their learning and design decisions, articulate the rationale behind their work and become increasingly confident and independent in their practice. My aim is to support the transition from studying interior design to thinking and working as an interior designer.

I have a particular interest in strengthening connections between interior design education and industry, ensuring students understand not only how to generate strong creative ideas, but how those ideas are researched, communicated, developed and delivered within a professional context.

My academic practice also extends to widening participation and progression into interior design education. I am interested in developing meaningful partnerships with further education, industry and the wider creative community that create clearer pathways into higher education, broaden access to the discipline and connect students with the realities and opportunities of contemporary interior design practice.

Research interests

My developing research interests centre on interior design education and the evolving relationship between academic learning, professional practice and the future of the design profession.

Areas of particular interest include:

• Industry-connected learning, professional practice and graduate preparedness

• AI and emerging technologies in interior design education and professional practice

• Design studio pedagogy and creative education

• Reflective and coaching-led approaches to design education

• Student transition, belonging and studio culture

• Interdisciplinary learning across the built environment sector

• Academic leadership, and curriculum development within higher education

Membership of professional bodies

Member of Chartered Society of Designers (MCSD)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Qualifications

Postgraduate Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education (PGCAPL)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Undergraduate Qualifications

BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design

Experience in industry

Before entering higher education, I worked in the interior design industry for approximately 15 years.

During my career in industry, I progressed into senior design leadership, including working as Head of Design. My responsibilities included creative and concept leadership, client liaison, overseeing projects against scope, budget and programme requirements, and supporting and mentoring other designers.

This industry experience strongly informs my teaching. I encourage students to approach design as both a creative and professional discipline, developing the confidence to articulate their ideas, respond to clients and users, collaborate with others and make informed design decisions.