Overview

In addition to his role in Exeter, Simon is also an Associate of the Scottish Sensory Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Simon’s current work focuses on visual impairment and visual culture, accessible and inclusive technologies, philosophies of sensory impairment and inclusion, and social science research methodology. His most significant project investigated the use of mobile technologies as tools of inclusion for adults, particularly older adults, with disabilities, which was sponsored by a Horizon 2020 grant from the European Union (2016-2020). The project was led by VRVis (based in Vienna) and its partners included the Open University, national museums in London, Madrid and Vienna and technology companies in Vienna and Belgrade.

Simon has previously conducted research projects in the US, Canada, United Arab Emirates and the UK, and he is co-editor of the Routledge book series, Qualitative and Visual Methodologies in Educational Research, an associate editor of Discover Global Issues and on the editorial boards of the British Journal of Visual Impairment and Social Inclusion. Simon has also won several awards and fellowships, including a Fulbright All Disciplines Scholar's Award, fellowships of the British Computer Society and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA), a centre associate position at the London School of Economics. He has also been an advisor to the World Health Organisation and the Latvian Research Council.

Simon has delivered keynotes and guest lectures for the Royal National Institute of the Blind, MAXXI (Rome), the Wellcome Collection (London), the Sidur Museum (Moscow), Tate Modern, Manege Central Exhibition Hall (St Petersburg), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Central Saint Martin's School of Art (London), University College London, Central European University (Vienna), KU Leuven, Toronto University, Harvard University, the London School of Economics, MIT, University of California Berkeley, Vrije Universiteit (Brussels) and the Government of the Province of Milan amongst others. He has also been an invited speaker at conferences at the University of Cambridge, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the University of Oxford.

Qualifications

2006: PhD in Education, University of Birmingham, UK
1997: PGCE in Secondary Technology, University of Bath, UK
1995: MEd by Research, University of Leicester, UK
1993: BA (Hons.) in Technical Communication, Coventry Polytechnic / University, UK
1990: ESF Certificates for Unemployed People in Information Technology & Microbiology, University of Leicester, UK

Career

2016-2023: Department of Education, University of Bath, UK - (2018-2023) Reader in Education / (2016-2018) Lecturer in Education

2014-2016: Faculty of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK - (2014-2015) Senior Lecturer in Education / (2015-2016) Director of Studies, MA Special Needs and Inclusion

2011-2014: Department of Education, Sharjah Women’s College, UAE - Lecturer (Faculty) in Educational Technology

2011: Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA - Fellow (Sponsored by a Fulbright All Disciplines Scholars Award)

2005-2011: Leicester Grammar School, UK - Head of ICT & Computing

2004-2005: Orchard House Primary School (London), UK - Head of ICT

2004: Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada - Research Associate

2001-2003: University of London, UK - Research Officer

1999-2001: Prince Henry’s High School (Worcestershire), UK - Second in Department of ICT and Computing

1997-1999: Eastbrook Comprehensive School, UK - Teacher of ICT and Graphic Art

Prior to roles in education and academia, Simon had labouring jobs from the age of 16. He also worked in a press agency following his MEd.

Links

• ORCID

Research group links

• Centre for Special Educational Needs and Disability

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Research

Research interests

Visual Impairment and Visual Culture

Accessible and Inclusive Technology

The Philosophy of Sensory Impairment and Inclusion

Disability Arts

• Ageing and the Arts
• Access to Cultural Heritage

Social Science Research Methodology

• Philosophical Foundations of Social Science
• Grounded Theory and Grounded Methodology
• Participatory Research and Co-Design

Research projects

CPNSS LSE: Philosophy of Inclusion: Sensory Impairment and Cultural Inclusion: 2010-2023

AHRC Research Network: Beyond the Visual: Non-Sighted Modes of Engaging Art - 2021-2022

Rationale Method: Development of a tactile soundpad for visually impaired dancer - 2019-2020

British Council: Design and Implementation of a FabLab in a Marginalised District in Monterrey, Mexico - 2019

NCCE - SW Partnership: National Centre for Computing Education - South West Partnership - 2019

St. Petersburg Committee for Culture / Menage Exhibition Hall - Creating an Inclusive Environment Cultural Institutions - 2019

National Heritage Lottery Fund: Founding a Community of Practice for Sensing Culture Through Inclusive Capital - 2018

National Council for the Blind of Ireland - A Survey of Older Adult Services and Sight Loss in Ireland - 2017-2019

Public Engagement Fund, University of Bath: River is the Venue - 2017-2018

Barbican-CID: Open Lab: Curating in the Dark - 2017

Teaching Innovation Award, LSE: Developing Inclusive Technology Practices for Students with Access Needs - 2016-2017

European Union Horizon 2020 (research and innovation programme under grant agreement Nº 693229): Accessible Resources for Cultural Heritage EcoSystems - 2016-2019

v-a-c Foundation: Human Commonalities - 2016

RNIB / National Heritage Lottery Fund - Sensing Culture - 2016-2018

Canterbury Christ Church University: Developing an International Collaborative Photography Course for Sighted and Visually Impaired Participants in Canterbury and Margate - 2015-2016

US-UK Fulbright Commission: How Do People Who are Blind Engage With Paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - 2011

Unfunded: Computing and Blindness in Education - 2008-2011

University of Toronto - Blindness and Art in Education - 2004

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External Engagement and Impact

Associate Editor, Discover Global Society, Springer Nature - 2023-Present

Governor, Coopted SEND, Christ Church C of E (VC) Primary School - 2022-Present

University of Bath Director, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution - 2022-2023

External Examiner, University of Edinburgh - 2022-Present

Temporary Advisor, World Health Organization - 2019-2021

Centre Associate, Scottish Sensory Centre - University of Edinburgh - 2019-Present

Co-Editor, Routledge Focus Series - Qualitative and Visual Methodologies in Educational Research, Routledge - 2019-Present

Centre Associate, Centre for the Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics - 2010-2023

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Teaching

Modules

2023/24

Information not currently available

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