Gold-rated teaching

Doreen Malcolm 

Senior Lecturer  - School of Business, Education and Law 

Before teaching, I worked in local authority early years provisions. I started at practitioner level and then moved into management. I have been teaching for over a decade now, starting my career in a college, before moving to University. 

I work collaboratively with students in the classroom, sharing practical and theoretical expertise, skills and knowledge. I love the buzz and energy when students are busy during activities or when they bring ideas and contributions into the classroom. Visiting students on placement is something I enjoy - especially when I hear how students are valued in the organisation. 

Lorraine Horton-Smith

Senior Lecturer - School of Human and Health Sciences 

I've previously worked in clinical practice as an Operating Department Practitioner in a local hospital. I loved my clinical work and enjoyed teaching learners in practice. I was given the opportunity to be a lecturer practitioner, splitting my time 50/50 between working in practice and teaching at the University.  I had a great experience at the University both as a student and as a lecturer practitioner, so I jumped at the opportunity to come and work here full time. 

I lived in Huddersfield growing up, so I have strong links to the town, and I have done all of my study here.  It sounds a bit strange, but the moment I walked onto campus I got a great feeling about the place, and that hasn’t changed.  

Charlie Goldthorpe

Senior Lecturer - School of Arts and Humanities

I bring a strong combination of academic knowledge and professional creative practice into my role. My background in fashion and design has given me a practical, industry-informed skill set, which I use to support students in developing technical ability, creative confidence, and problem-solving skills. My teaching is highly practical and skills-based, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. I encourage students to experiment, take creative risks, and develop their own ideas while building professional-level making and design skills.

Alongside teaching, I maintain an active creative practice, which informs my approach in the classroom and ensures my teaching remains current, relevant, and grounded in real-world creative processes. 

I was drawn to the University of Huddersfield because of its strong focus on teaching quality, creative practice, and student support, as well as its commitment to preparing students for careers within the creative industries. I enjoy working closely with students and supporting them as they develop their individual creative identities, confidence, and professional direction.

Simon Parkinson

Professor  - School of Computing and Engineering

My expertise in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and digital forensics, developed through leading major funded research projects, has been central to my role. This expertise has enabled me to undertake many research projects, developing and teaching new defensive approaches to cyber security.  Since 2022, I have been a serving member of the UK Government’s Cyber Security Advisory Board (GCAB) where I provide my expertise and research knowledge to help the long-term improvement of Government cyber security by providing advice, expertise and guidance. So far in my career I have led over 10 research projects funded to the value of £2.6m.

My teaching is research led and strongly focused on applying real-world cyber security and AI challenges to student. I emphasise practical, hands-on experience through modules I lead, such as the undergraduate Advanced Cyber Security. Supervising students and doctoral researchers is particularly rewarding due to their growth and achievements.   

The University provides strong support for innovation, industry partnerships, and applied cybersecurity research. It has also offered the opportunity to build and lead the Centre for Cyber Security and contribute to major research programmes. The combination of teaching and research excellence provides a strong environment to create and disseminate new knowledge

Victor Azubike

Senior Lecturer - School of Business, Education and Law 

My research-informed teaching at the University of Huddersfield has allowed me the opportunity to design and lead undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, advising governments and businesses on energy security and decarbonisation.  

Published in leading journals, my research focuses on the intersection of, and interaction between, energy law, climate law and environmental law. With over a decade of combined academic and advisory experience, my work at the University has gained me international recognition, including an invitation to present at Evidence Week at the UK Parliament in partnership with Taylor & Francis, where I briefed policymakers on strategic approaches to the energy transition. My energy security and the environment insights have been featured in Taylor & Francis’ World Environment Day expert showcase. 

As a lecturer, I bring innovative, research‑led teaching to the classroom, integrating multidisciplinary perspectives and curriculum diversity. I am committed to developing future‑ready graduates equipped to address real‑world energy and environmental challenges

 

Martin Carr

Senior Lecturer - School of Applied Sciences  

I have a strong background in genomics, with my research involving computational biology as well as molecular biology in the lab. Our Biology degrees in Huddersfield emphasise the importance of hands-on practical work in both areas, to provide the skills graduates need for their careers. There’s also a placement option, which I really like as it has given me the opportunity to work closely with students on novel research questions.

One of my biggest achievements during my career is that my research identified the closest known living relatives of animals. I use this research in my teaching to highlight how animals evolved 700 million years ago from our single-celled ancestors, and how genes we inherited from this ancestor are now involved in human diseases such as cancer.  

Something I really enjoy in my role is leading our final year projects, which are a major part of Biology degrees and provide important research skills our students require for their graduate careers. It is really rewarding to see students pull together knowledge from across their entire degree to solve real-life research problems. Recently, I’ve supervised undergraduate students working on novel aspects of cancer biology and HIV genetics, as well as more unusual research areas such as great white shark evolution or how genetic parasites jump from one species to a new host. It is very satisfying seeing our students capitalising on their projects to further their career plans, and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a number of my undergraduate students present their own research at conferences and get their articles published in international research journals.