Joe has spent the past six years at the University of York, where his specialist expertise in immersive and creative technologies has transformed teaching, research and innovation across the university and beyond.
Joe’s achievements include:
- Establishing and managing an immersive R&D laboratory as the sole creative technician at XR Stories. The laboratory has supported more than 50 local businesses, enabling them to experiment, prototype and grow with cutting-edge tools such as immersive audio, motion capture and virtual production.
- Impact beyond the university: Joe has collaborated with cultural organisations and museums to deliver immersive visitor experiences and has shared his knowledge through public workshops that make complex technologies accessible and engaging.
- Co-designed and teaching on the MSc module “Sound Interactions in the Metaverse,” helping students to showcase their innovative work to industry partners and integrate emerging creative technologies into their studies.
- Enabling bold, ambitious storytelling through immersive technologies through his contributions to projects from the “Voices of Coal” and “Grand Theft Hamlet” productions to the “Earth and Sky” immersive soundwalk with Opera North.
- Key role in large-scale initiatives such as the XR Stories Creative Business Residencies and the LiveLab Launch, ensuring that local companies and communities benefit from the latest advances in creative practice.
- “Extending XR” project: Joe is especially proud of his work on the Extending XR project, delivered through the Mayor’s Skills Innovation Fund, which is expanding access to immersive skills and technologies across the Yorkshire region. His efforts ensure that emerging industries are supported by an inclusive ecosystem of technical expertise and creative opportunity.
Joe sets himself apart with not only his technical skill but also his collaborative and supportive approach. He speaks warmly of the joy he finds in “helping people turn creative ideas into reality,” and highlights the excitement of seeing others grasp complex concepts and technologies. This dedication to empowering others reflects his belief that technical expertise is most powerful when it unlocks creativity and innovation for the wider community.
Joe’s story is a reminder of the vital role technicians play in shaping research, teaching, and innovation.
Meet the other nominees for this year’s Outstanding Technician of the Year Award:
- Jiteen Ahmed, Aston University
- Helena Brown, University of Leeds
- Phil Chaplain, Robert Gordon University
- Dr Alex Laude, Newcastle University
- Linda Lightley, Northumbria University
- John Nicolson, University of Cambridge
- Kate Robinson, Harper Adams University
Winners will be announced on 13 November at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
