New Head of School for Computer Science and Mathematics appointed

A distinguished researcher has joined Keele University as its new Head of School for Computer Science and Mathematics. 

Dr Chris Hughes has joined Keele from the University of Salford, where he most recently served as interim Deputy Dean in the School of Science, Engineering and Environment. With a background in computer science, immersive media, and accessibility, he has built a reputation for leading innovation in both research and education. 

He has previously held research roles at other universities, as well as for the BBC’s Research and Development team, where he focused on projects involving extended reality (XR) and virtual environments, and the development of responsive subtitle systems, highlighting his longstanding commitment to accessible and inclusive digital design. 

This expertise has underpinned his leadership of a number of prestigious international projects, integrating accessibility services into immersive platforms. 

He is also deeply committed to education and has played a pivotal role in leading modules in computer science, including Computer Graphics and Mobile Development.  

As well as academic achievements, he also takes a keen interest in industry partnerships and consultancy projects, including Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects to drive innovation and deliver data-driven solutions across sectors.  

Dr Hughes said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Keele University and to be leading such a dynamic School at a time of rapid technological change. I look forward to working with colleagues across the University to build on our strengths, expand our research impact, and ensure our students are empowered with the skills and creativity they need to shape the future.”