Lisa Bowers

"I am a manager leader in my current role and so that matches accurately. I am also a IT systems developer and creative person overall. I work with other creative people and endorse 'creative thinking'. I work with varying ability needs but specifically people with sensory needs."

"My job role is almost split 50-50, in that 50% of my time is spent teaching and planning/designing to teaching materials for Undergraduate degree students in the discipline of design practice and engineering. The other 50% of my time is spent researching future technologies within the field of human computer interaction. The outcomes of these two roles are increasing and adding value to the way humans consume technology and interact with virtual platforms, supporting and teaching students about design practice and how creative thinking can drive problem solving.The starting salary to a lecturer role is about £35-40,000 per annum."

"My route to academia is perhaps a little unorthodox - initially I worked as a practising designer. After a masters level study programme I consulted in design practice and worked within an inclusive design role with Mental Health UK and NHS plus various charities. From this work I began tutoring and lecturing part time, until eventually I began working for HE institutes across England and Ireland. Finally, I went to work for the Open University (distance learning institute) and my work with disabled students and research into assistive technologies to aid applied study came to the fore of my career route."

"I guess when I have the time for spare time activity I like to kickbox, mountain climb and run. I enjoy a physical challenge as my job involves a great deal of mental activity and after being seated for long periods of time any activity which involves moving around is a welcome change. Although I am a designer I have a deeper 'maker' side which I indulge through painting and drawing."

"As a distance learning academic, I often find my day consists of remote classroom work with students, chatting to students in forums and supporting their issues and challenges by phone or SKYPE call. I also communicate to my research team using ZOOM or SKYPE. There is, of course, administrational work in my role and this could be anything from sending emails to confirming meetings or to engage with policies and procedures - or completing forms to support the 50x online tutors I line manage. My two favourite parts of my role is chatting with students and finding out about their creative outputs or working with my team on challenging aspects of a research project."

"BA Hons Design PracticeMSc CAD for CAD designPhD Computer Science haptic robotics"