Tom Jackson Academic CV

Current Appointments

Lecturer in Digital Media

School of Media and Communication, University of Leeds

Academic Lead in Cultural Engagement

Centre for Immersive Technologies, University of Leeds

Biography

Following a highly successful commercial career working for digital agencies across Yorkshire, Tom made the move into higher education in 2004. His first position was a lectureship at Leeds Metropolitan University where he gained a wide variety of teaching experience related to graphic design, interactive programming, motion graphics and many other digital media production skills. Demonstrating a natural aptitude for engaging students, developing innovative curriculum and leading teams, he rapidly became a senior lecturer and programme leader.

Tom joined the School of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds in 2012 to contribute to an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research in communication, media and culture. Initially employed as a Research Associate, he secured a full-time lectureship following the completion of his practice-led PhD. He continues to teach digital media production skills whilst concurrently developing a strong profile as a practice-led researcher.

Academic Career

2018 – Present

University of Leeds

Lecturer in Digital Media

Leeds, UK

Following the successful completion of a practice‑led PhD, was offered a full-time and permanent lectureship within the School of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds.

2012 – 2018

University of Leeds

Research Associate in New Media

Leeds, UK

In 2012, joined the School of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds to contribute to an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research in communication, media and culture. As a Research Associate in New Media, delivered curriculum across all levels of the highly regarded BA Digital Media and MA New Media programmes, whilst concurrently developing a strong profile as a practice‑led researcher.

2009 – 2012

Hong Kong Design Institute

Visiting Lecturer

Hong Kong

From 2009 to 2012, was employed as a visiting lecturer at the Hong Kong Design Institute delivering curriculum related to digital art and motion graphics.

2004 – 2012

Leeds Metropolitan University

Senior Lecturer

Leeds, UK

Initially employed as a Lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University delivering modules in design and interactive media. After a period of only 3 months, was promoted to Senior Lecturer and became the programme leader for BSc Creative Media Technology and BSc Music and New Media Technology.

Research Interests

Tom’s research primarily addresses issues and debates related to sensory experience, technology and communication. He combines a broad range of theoretical interests including neurological studies of cross-modal perception, ethnographic methods and the critical analysis of digital media platforms with a practice-led and co-creative approach to research. Working closely with cultural organisations and communities, he designs and implements digital methods for studying social, cultural and environmental phenomena through the lens of sensory experience. His recent work evaluates the potential for virtual and immersive technologies to deepen visitor understanding of sites of historical and cultural significance, such as museum collections, archives, industrial ruins and memorial sites.

Tom also has an emerging strand of pedagogic research related to PhDs with creative practice. Supported by the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence, this work aims to provide best practice recommendations for students undertaking this programme of study, and the academic staff who supervise them.

Sensory experience
Cross-modal perception
Anthropology
Ethnographic methods
Immersive technologies
Digital media
Field recording
The virtual archive
Cultural engagement
Practice-led research

Education

2018

PhD

University of Leeds

Multisensory ethnography: sensory experience, the sentient body and cultural phenomena. (Practice‑led) The thesis, practice and associated academic outputs can all be accessed online at www.multisensoryethnography.com

1999

BSc

University of Bradford

BSc (Hons) Electronic Imaging and Media Communication. Upper second class honours (2:1). Specialised in 3D graphics and interactive authoring.

Recent Funding


SPARKLE (Sustaining Practice Assets for Research, Knowledge, Learning and Engagement)

Funding Body:
AHRC

Role:
Principal Investigator

Date:
December 2021

Award:
£100,000

The educational impact of interconnecting Holocaust memorial sites and museums through immersive technologies

Funding Body:
AHRC

Role:
Principal Investigator

Date:
November 2021

Award:
£100,000

LivingBodiesObjects: Technology and the Spaces of Health

Funding Body:
Wellcome Trust

Role:
Co-Principal Investigator

Date:
April 2021

Award:
£1m

Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme in Extinction Studies

Funding Body:
Leverhulme Trust

Role:
PhD Supervisor

Date:
December 2020

Award:
£1.35m

Surround Stories: Immersive Screens for Cultural Exhibition

Funding Body:
XR Stories

Role:
Academic Partner

Date:
October 2019

Award:
£25,000

Virtual Holocaust Memoryscapes

Funding Body:
AHRC/EPSRC

Role:
Co-Investigator

Date:
November 2017

Award:
£75,000

Seismic Cities

Funding Body:
Natural Environment Research Council

Role:
Researcher

Date:
December 2016

Award:
£130,000

Digital Culture and its Discontents: beyond connectivity, after access, use

Funding Body:
Newton Mobility Grant Scheme

Role:
Team Member

Date:
June 2016

Award:
£10,000