About me

A quick overview of how I ended up in Dundee doing what I do...

I hated computers at school, so never thought for a minute that I'd end up in the field of computing science. Having been fascinated by maps all my life, I studied Topographic Science at Glasgow University, graduating BSc Honours in 1994 (alas the degree is no longer taught), and worked as a database cartographer for 4 years with Bartholomew (HarperCollins Cartographic) first in Edinburgh and then in Glasgow. During that time we produced the 10th edition of the widely acclaimed Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World, the first world atlas to be produced entirely from a digital database.

In 1998 I decided to move on from cartography, and having become more interested in technology during my time with Barts, I came to Dundee to study for an MSc in Applied Computing, graduating with Distinction in 2000. In 1999 I took the post of research assistant on a new project dedicated to providing Web accessibility support, which became the Digital Media Access Group (DMAG). I was also involved in the Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education (DISinHE) project, which provided advice to the UK's Higher Education sector on disability, technology and learning, a project which subsequently became Techdis. Photo of me.

Outside of work: