Futurelab staff
All staff are shown below in alphabetical order - alternatively click on the names in the box to the right, which lists staff by department.
Senior Communications Manager - Lacia Ashman
Lacia is responsible for increasing awareness and understanding of Futurelab and its activities using a range of marketing tools including publications, conferences, website, competitions, partnerships, PR and promotional materials. Previously, Lacia spent two and a half years at the University of Bristol where she was responsible for marketing enterprise and the commercialisation of research. Before that she gained experience on both the agency and client sides of marketing, working for a marketing agency and for a specialist chemical start-up company. Her background includes a Masters in marketing and a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
lacia [dot] ashman [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8222
Technology Manager - Toby Blackburn
Toby manages Futurelab's network infrastructure and IT systems, and also assists on projects with technical specifications and implementation. He came to Futurelab from SEA, where he managed their support team covering the company's two sites, and was also responsible for the design and implementation of all elements of their IT infrastructure and strategy, including helpdesk, projects, business continuity, process management and auditing. Prior to this, Toby worked as part of the Projects and Strategy team for Eurostar UK, performing server and desktop rollouts, and developing intranets. He has a degree in Microbiology from Cardiff University.
toby [dot] blackburn [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8213
Communications Manager - Amanda Bowman
Amanda is responsible for developing and implementing targeted communications programmes for a number of Futurelab’s projects including Beyond Current Horizons and Enquiring Minds. She is also responsible for managing and developing the online and digital communications activities. Previously, Amanda spent five years with a national commercial law firm responsible for managing the firm's internal agency team, developing and managing online and offline communications and the events programme. Prior to this, Amanda gained extensive marketing experience at the RAC in a number of progressive roles including strategic planning, communications, project management, public relations and event management.
amanda [dot] bowman [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8237
Chief Executive - Stephen Breslin
Stephen joined Futurelab in 2008 as Chief Executive. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of The Kelvin Institute Ltd, which was formed as a joint venture between two of Scotland's leading universites as a vehicle for the commercialisation of university-generated intellectual property. Stephen's background is in engineering, and he has over 15 years' experience in commercial software development, working with many of the world's largest blue-chip organisations in a variety of fast-moving technology sectors. Stephen holds a BSc (Hons) and a PhD from the University of Strathclyde, as well as an MSc from the University of Sheffield.
stephen [dot] breslin [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8207
Art Director - Ben Carruthers
Ben works closely with the rest of the communications team as well as external agencies, overseeing all of Futurelab's creative output and responsible for the design and art direction of all its communication materials. Ben spent the first three years of his career at the BBC where he developed new BBC brands and their application for printed media as well as working with a variety of BBC departments, helping them to communicate creatively with external and internal audiences. Prior to joining Futurelab he was with one of Bristol's leading design agencies where he worked on blue chip accounts with a particular focus on the mobile telecommunications sector.
ben [dot] carruthers [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8236
Senior Researcher - Sue Cranmer
Sue has spent over 10 years researching how children, young people and adults engage with digital technologies. She brought this expertise to Futurelab in 2009 to take up a senior researcher post.
Sue is mainly interested in digital media and learning, and particularly research which explores and promotes access to digital media for young people and adults who may otherwise be excluded from experiencing the potential benefits. Aligned with this, Sue is very interested in creative and innovative research designs which are intended to be inclusive.
At Futurelab, Sue is leading the Research Interest Group in 'Everyday Learning' to understand how children, young people and adults use ICTs to learn informally in everyday settings. Sue is building a strong list of publications in international and UK journals. In 2010, Continuum will publish her first book ‘Primary schools and ICT: learning from pupil perspectives’ co-authored with Neil Selwyn and John Potter.
sue [dot] cranmer [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8212
Administrator - Laura Demery
Laura runs Futurelab's reception and switchboard and coordinates many of the organisation's centralised supplies and services. She also helps maintain the contact management system and provides support for events. Laura joined Futurelab after spending a few months working in the charitable sector, mainly at Bristol's volunteer bureau. Prior to this, her experience was gained in large commercial organisations. She initially used her ergonomics degree in the Human Factors research department at British Aerospace for nine years before moving into IT and the Financial Services industry at Clerical Medical for 14 years.
laura [dot] demery [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8200
Communications Administrator - Claire Denney
Claire is responsible for supporting the Communications team at Futurelab. This includes pro-actively maintaining the contacts database and undertaking mailings, assisting with events and PR, and providing general administrative support. She has been providing administrative support within the public and HE sectors for the past four years after completing a degree in Science Communication.
claire [dot] denney [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 9158206
Learning Research Coordinator - Sarah Godfrey
Sarah is responsible for supporting the Learning Team at Futurelab, by coordinating all aspects of educational prototype trials and Innovations Workshops, and maintaining contact databases. Sarah has come from the financial services sector, where she worked as a learning and development coordinator. This involved organising learning programmes, setting up and managing Learning Resource Centres, budget management and reporting. Sarah and the rest of the team were responsible for all learning and development training across the business.
sarah [dot] godfrey [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8228
Research Director - Lizbeth Goodman
Lizbeth manages Futurelab's research team, initiates new collaborative projects, and undertakes original research into creative innovation strategies for social entrepreneurship and leadership models that support learning for all. She has an international range of experience and a practical approach to creative educational technologies. She brings her experience of founding and directing the SMARTlab some 15 years ago, as well as her most recent experience as Chair of Creative Technology Innovation at the University of East London. Lizbeth is a renowned expert in learning models for communities at risk and is perhaps best known as an advocate of community-based ethical learning and teaching models using interactive tools and games to inspire and engage learners of all ages. She has published widely in the areas of performance technologies, e-learning, connected learning, embodied learning, social networking for community engagement, social entrepreneurship models in ICT, and games for learning.
lizbeth [dot] goodman [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8207
Learning Researcher - Lyndsay Grant
Lyndsay Grant is a learning researcher with expertise in learning in families, social software, social and educational inequalities and participatory approaches to learning and design. Her research has focused on the potential for new technologies and media to support young people’s learning both in and out of school, and in making connections between the two. Her research interests also include exploring young people’s active participation in matters that concern them and in participatory and playful learning experiences. Her research approach is informed by a commitment to social justice that starts with valuing the voices and experiences of participants in the research process. She is experienced in conducting interdisciplinary empirical qualitative research in a range of settings, including schools, museums and science centres and online. She has edited and published in academic journals and written and presented for practitioner, policy and industry audiences.
lyndsay [dot] grant [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8231
Web Manager - Sarah Grier
Sarah is responsible for managing the Futurelab website and supporting ongoing projects in addition to working on e-communications including the e-newsletter, Flux blog, and interaction with users on sites such as Twitter. Previously she worked in the charity sector for a number of years managing websites and e-communications for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and working in fundraising and events management for London’s Air Ambulance.
sarah [dot] grier [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8209
Learning Researcher - Cassie Hague
Cassie Hague is a learning researcher particularly interested in issues relating to citizenship and citizenship education. She is in the final stages of completing a Doctorate at the University of Exeter, looking at child citizenship and exploring story, play and the internet as vehicles for child voice. Alongside this, Cassie is interested in the critical literacy and learning that allows young people to make informed choices about their participation in social and political cultures in the context of an increasingly digital world. Cassie is committed to participatory and inclusive approaches to research and learning and has carried out qualitative research on self-directed and informal forms of learning across the spectrum from early years settings to adult and family learning. She has also written on the educational and political implications of science fiction and post-apocalyptic literature for children and young people.
cassie [dot] hague [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8224
Communications Materials Coordinator - Marisa Harlington
Marisa's role at Futurelab is to assist in the coordination and production of marketing material. She ensures that high standards are adhered to in all parts of the production of promotional material, and oversees the smooth delivery of all printed matter. Prior to joining Futurelab, Marisa was an administrator for a renowned firm of architects in Bristol, responsible for refining document presentation as well as being PA to the founding director. She gained FPC1 accreditation while administering for an international group insurance company, and has a degree in English and Art from York.
marisa [dot] harlington [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8226
Technical Production Associate - Graham Hopkins
Graham's role at Futurelab is to help manage the delivery of prototype projects, ensuring all project documentation is produced and prototypes are completed on time and to a high quality. He also runs the Call For Ideas process, carries out initial market research on new projects, and helps maintain good relationships with our project partners. Prior to joining Futurelab, Graham was a project manager for an innovative software company in London, and prior to that worked on a three-year web-based information project in central London, for older people and people with disabilities. Graham has a degree in Environmental Studies from Hertfordshire.
graham [dot] hopkins [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8204
Learning Researcher - Kieron Kirkland
Kieron’s current work as a learning researcher includes leading the Greater Expectations project, which is exploring how digital technology can support young people to engage with their rights and entitlements. He has also published work on overcoming barriers to educational innovation, and was part of the team that developed Spark – Futurelab’s mobile exhibition which showcases new and emerging technologies that can be used to support education.
Before joining Futurelab he developed and delivered education programmes as Practitioner-in-Residence for Shakespeare's Globe, ran cognitive behavioural programmes for adult and young adult offenders with the Probation Service, and undertook research in India exploring Theatre as a methodology for social change.
Kieron is particularly interested in how digital technologies can stimulate social interaction and engage learners with their physical environment, and participatory approaches to learning. He is a member of the play and participation, and health and well being research groups. In his spare time Kieron is a Magician and practices Martial Arts.
kieron [dot] kirkland [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8233
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Senior Producer - Clara Lemon
Clara is responsible for delivering Futurelab's projects, producing a broad range of digital resources ranging from websites and web applications to interactive programmable water fountains and wearable devices, and is part of the strategy team. Before life at Futurelab, she was a producer at the BBC and in various global digital agencies since 1998. Her background includes a specialism in user-experience and user-centred design approaches with an MSc in human-computer interaction from the University of Bath.
clara [dot] lemon [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8215
Office Manager - Joanne O'Hagan
Joanne is responsible for the administration of the Beyond Current Horizons project, including the management of events for various strands of the programme. She is also responsible for Futurelab's facilities and office environment, a role which encompasses health and safety and HR administration, as well as building maintenance and space development. Previously, Joanne worked as PA to the Head of the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television in Bradford. Having previously trained as a sports therapist, she then took the opportunity to work freelance on contracts including international duty with GB Mountain Bike Team, and tutoring adult learners in sports therapy. Joanne's background includes senior PA roles in several blue chip companies.
joanne [dot] ohagan [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8203
Learning Researcher - Alison Oldfield (on maternity leave)
Alison Oldfield is a learning researcher with experience in inclusion and disability, young people’s participation processes, action research projects, and youth work practice. Her research interests also include the co-design and development of learning spaces, including online spaces, and the development of services through participatory, rights-based processes. She is experienced in practitioner-led and interdisciplinary qualitative research in a range of settings, including schools, online spaces and more informal learning settings like youth centres and voluntary agencies. She has written and presented to policy, academic, industry and practitioner audiences.
alison [dot] oldfield [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8210
Learning Researcher - Sarah Payton
Sarah is a learning researcher with expertise in curriculum innovation, learner voice, student participation, teacher professional development & identity and digital literacy. Her research has focused on developing partnership approaches to the curriculum that allow for children’s voice and participation. She has researched the impact of curriculum change on students and teachers in classroom settings and is currently working with teachers and learners to explore ways in which the skills needed for digital participation can be fostered within curriculum subject teaching.
sarah [dot] payton [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8216
Learning Researcher - Carlo Perrotta
Carlo’s main research interests currently focus on learning spaces, personalisation and learner voice. As a psychologist, he is also interested in the relationship between identity formation and sociocultural learning. Through professional and academic experiences he developed a sound understanding of computer-supported collaborative learning, networking technologies and web 2.0. He has also experience of designing and evaluating participatory activities with adults and young people.
carlo [dot] perrotta [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8220
Senior Researcher - Tim Rudd
Tim is a Senior Researcher in Futurelab’s Research and Development Team, leading on the ‘learning spaces’ theme. He is responsible for leading and developing a range of research and development projects, publications and resources, as well as the delivery of Futurelab’s consultancy offering to support schools, authorities and other stakeholders to develop more transformative visions of future learning spaces. Tim’s research and publications experience also focus on personalisation, learner voice, co-design, the digital divide and community development. He has extensive experience presenting both nationally and internationally to research, policy and practitioner audiences.
Prior to working for Futurelab he was head of evidence and research at Becta, where he worked on a range of policy-related projects and programmes relating to research into ICT and education. Previously he gained his doctorate whilst studying at the University of Bristol, focusing on ICT and the reproduction of social inequalities.
tim [dot] rudd [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8232
Learning Researcher - Richard Sandford
Richard is one of the researchers working on the Beyond Current Horizons programme, building partnerships, reviewing futures work within the UK and internationally, and exploring the possible implications of this work for education. Previously he was based in Singapore as part of the iLAB2015 collaboration, and before that he led the Teaching with Games project, investigating the place of mainstream computer games in formal learning environments. Richard's research interests are centred around the social behaviours around mobile devices, the ways in which games and play can support learning, and how we can usefully talk about the future. Prior to joining Futurelab, he took a philosophy degree at the University of Leeds, before joining the BBC, where he was involved with the design, development and support of various online communities.
richard [dot] sandford [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8229
Operations and Planning Director - Stephen Sayers
Steve directs the major programmes of work for Futurelab ensuring that they deliver well. Recent examples include the Beyond Current Horizons programme looking at long-term influences on education and responses to them and Futurelab’s work developing the UK’s Harnessing Technology strategy. Steve is responsible for the operational and planning activities of Futurelab including finance, infrastructure and human resources. He plays a major part in setting the organisation's strategy. Steve has been with Futurelab since its launch, prior to that he was Business Development Director for the At-Bristol science centre.
Associations: Academy-Industry Digital Alliance (AIDA) Steering Group
steve [dot] sayers [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8208
Senior Researcher - Dan Sutch
Dan’s main research interests are in mobile learning; the role of the teacher in technology-rich learning environments; non-formal/personal and social education; values-driven assessment, and processes of educational change and transformation. He is currently leading ‘Public and Stakeholder Engagement’ within the Beyond Current Horizons programme that aims to engage with leading stakeholders (Government agencies and departments, industry etc) as well educational communities and the wider public in thinking about the future to inform strategy and action. He has expertise in authoring and running innovations workshops that bring together stakeholders from various backgrounds to investigate future learning possibilities. Prior to joining Futurelab, Dan was a primary school teacher and he is currently studying part-time for a PhD looking at the role of digital technologies in supporting positive social behaviours.
dan [dot] sutch [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8221
Events Manager - Karen Thompson
Karen is responsible for coordinating Futurelab's programme of seminars, workshops and conferences. She also manages Futurelab's presence at large-scale events such as BETT. Karen joined Futurelab from an agency background. She has worked within the events industry for many years and has organised a wide range of events from corporate hospitality and team building to product launches, awards dinners, exhibitions and large conferences attracting over 1,000 delegates.
karen [dot] thompson [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8205
Project Manager - Duncan Thomson
Duncan is responsible for ensuring that the most effective and appropriate project management practices are used across the range of work that Futurelab carries out, from planning through to final delivery. Prior to this role, he spent 9 years in BBC multimedia production, managing content creation and delivery on a range of platforms. These included award-winning websites for Walking with Beasts and Human Body (BBC Interactive Factual and Learning), as well as Jam (BBC Learning) and iPlayer (BBC Future Media and Technology). Duncan is motivated by best practice and processes that improve efficiency without adversely affecting creativity.
duncan [dot] thomson [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8225
Finance Administrator - Ha Tong-Wilkins
Ha's role is to assist Steve with the management of Futurelab's financial and reporting systems. This involves maintaining and implementing procedures to efficiently comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, including preparing for audits, producing annual reports and supporting project accounting systems. Before joining Futurelab, Ha worked in the manufacturing sector of banking for four years, and prior to that she studied languages and art. She is currently training in accountancy management.
ha [dot] tong [dash] wilkins [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8219
Learning Researcher - Mary Ulicsak
Over the last ten years Mary has developed a broad base of skills and experience in all aspects of research. Her strengths include organising and conducting research programs, analysing findings, and communicating results through a variety of media. She also has extensive experience in the development of training material and the presenting of such. A combination of working as an engineer, an industry technology consultant and academic gives her a practical perspective on the use of technology and its implementation, especially within learning environments.
Although she has worked extensively in the field of ICT and digital media in learning her main research interests are in: collaboration through technology, the role of learners as participants in the design process, and the development of learning environments, particularly those incorporating games. Currently she is co-ordinating the research group looking at collaboration within Futurelab; this involves ensuring that not only are the team aware of what is meant, but these issues become fundamental research questions within project work.
mary [dot] ulicsak [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8218
Senior Researcher - Ben Williamson
Ben Williamson is a senior researcher with experience of qualitative research on curriculum innovation in schools, on the role of videogames and creative software in young people’s social and educational experiences, and on the development of young people’s digital media skills. Ben is particularly interested in how ideas about children and young people are created and circulated, for example by educational policymakers, commercial organisations, and teachers, and in how these affect the planning and management of children’s education. He has presented regularly at educational conferences, and his publications have focused on curriculum innovation, teacher professional development, and children’s science-fiction literature. A graduate of English Literature from Cardiff University and trained as an English teacher and in educational research methods at the University of Bristol, Ben also completed his PhD in American literature, critical theory and pragmatist philosophy at the University of the West of England in 2007.
ben [dot] williamson [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8217
Research Assistant and PA to Directors - Martha Wright
Martha is responsible for managing Stephen and Lizbeth's diaries, arranging meetings and making sure everything generally runs smoothly. She has also recently become an active member of the Research team, assisting with desk research, field work, and report-writing on a number of projects, most notably within Games and Families. She is fresh from graduating with a first from Bristol University in Experimental Psychology, and hopes to pursue a career in education. In June and July 2008 she worked as a teaching assistant in a Worcester school, whilst simultaneously being PA to comedian Mark Olver, arranging his epic 500-mile walk from Bristol to Edinburgh, and coordinating his resulting Edinburgh show, 'Ramble On'.
martha [dot] wright [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8207