I help marginalised communities engage with technology and co-create innovations that work for them, and the places where they live. Through co-design and inclusive methodologies, I have injected innovation in areas such as social housing, health technology, and modern methods of construction in partnership with end users and researchers in areas such as robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence.
My multidisciplinary background has allowed me to participate in multiple R&D initiatives in excess of £7m of grant value, including research and innovation funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, Research England), government services, (Forestry Commission, Office for Students) and professional bodies (EPSON Robotic Solutions, Chartered Institute of Building).
Along with my research roles, I am an Associate Professor in Digital Design (Architecture) and Associate Head of School for Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth. I supervise doctoral candidates in multiple areas of digital design and innovation, including Architecture, Digital Arts, and Arts and Media. Their projects investigate the value of digital design and innovation to social and creative settings, and follow action research and participatory approaches in areas such as healthcare, nature-based solutions, and community economies.

Ricky Burke (completed), PhD Arts and Media: Digital design for dementia.

I lead the MA Architectural Design programme, and I am a visiting academic at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. My teaching focuses on tackling real-world industrial challenges through innovation that considers and includes end users, communities and places on its design and implementation. To achieve this, I work closely with our Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs.  In previous roles I have developed programmes and design studios in Architecture degrees internationally, and supervised more than 100+ undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in Architecture (Part I and II), Quantity Surveying, Construction Project Management, Architectural Technology, Smart Urban Futures, and Architectural Design degrees.

Professional Memberships

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Design Innovation Network, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network
• Research Network for Advancing AEC

Roles on External Bodies

• Member of Advisory Board, Journal of Art, Design and Communication in Higher Education.
• Paper reviewer: AI & Society, Advanced Engineering Informatics, Architectural Science Review, Journal of Technology, Architecture and Design.
• Conference reviewer: Iberoamerican Society on Digital Graphics SIGRADI, European Architectural Envisioning Conference.