Hi. I’m Michael.

I’m a researcher, writer, hockey coach, sometime tech-starter-upper and dad. 

I am presently working as a Research Fellow at Sheffield Robotics and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield. I am working on an exciting Wellcome Trust-funded project, Imagining Technologies for Disability Future, where we are looking at cultural perceptions of body augmentation, extension, disability, care and assistive technologies. I am also Sheffield Robotics Lead for Engagement and Responsible Research.

I have a PhD in English Literature and Psychotherapeutic Studies from the University of Sheffield, an MA from McGill University and a BA Hons. from the University of Toronto.

I am a co-founder of BOW, Ltd, whose mission is to realise the true potential of robotics by bringing robotics within reach of more people. 

I have worked in 4 different departments/faculties at the University of Sheffield (which has to be some kind of – dubious? – record?):

• School of English, Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• School for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Faculty of Medicine
• Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science
• Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering

Ice Hockey

After messing around with some skates and a puck playing in Newmarket, ON as part of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, and having moved to the UK in 1997, I have been fortunate enough to coach some pretty remarkable athletes and eager enthusiasts in a number of different contexts.

My current coaching roles include :

• Head Coach of GB Students Men’s ice hockey team (since 2021)
  • I led a team to Lake Placid, NY to take part in the FISU World Student Games.
• Head Coach of Sheffield Shadows Women’s IHC (since 2018)
• Head Coach at Sheffield Bears Universities IHC (since 2010); follow us on FB here

I have also had roles at Sheffield IHC, Sheffield Steeldogs, and with the British Universities IHA International All Stars.

Current Academic Projects

Imagining Technologies of Disability Futures (itDf), is a Wellcome Trust-funded project, for which the principal investigator is Prof. Stuart Murray from the University of Leeds and the Leeds Centre for Medical Humanities.

Selected Past Projects 

Skills and Education in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (SERAS), is funded by the UK-RAS network with the mission to examine how to create environments for education and work that are more inclusive and better prepare people to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the robotics and autonomous revolution.

Human Brain Project – an H2020 FET Flagship Project which strives to accelerate the fields of neuroscience, computing and brain-related medicine.

EASEL (Expressive Agents for Symbiotic Education and Learning) – explores and develops a theoretical understanding of human-robot symbiotic interaction

Cyberselves in Immersive Technologies – explores immersive technologies—virtual and augmented reality, telepresence and teleoperation— that allow the experience of self to be radically altered along physical, temporal and/or social dimensions.

Convergent Science Network – including blogging here.

Check out my specific research interests here.