My name is Sean Preston and I’m an experienced Associate Professor in Computing at the University of Suffolk. I am currently the Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience for the School of Technology, Business and Arts, overseeing all learning and teaching activities in the school. Before this, I was the Head of Technology leading a large academic team responsible for all programmes of study in the fields of Computing, Cyber Security, Games Development, Network Engineering, Web Development and Artificial Intelligence. I am also a non-independent Director on the University of Suffolk Board and an elected member of Senate.
I am an External Examiner for the University of Roehampton and Sunderland University, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Educator, Certified Cloud Practitioner, member of the British Computing Society (MBCS) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
I achieved a First Class bachelor’s degree in Computing from the University of Worcester in 2015. I then proceeded to complete a Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A) in Executive Leadership and Management in 2017. In 2020, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgC) aligned to Descriptor 2 of the UKPSF, leading to an award of HEA Fellowship. In 2023, I progressed to become a Senior Felllow of the HEA.
I remain active in the web development sector and value the importance of combining business engagement with academic knowledge. Since joining the University of Suffolk, I have held multiple enterprise talks, led several funded enterprise projects and have substantially increased recruitment for the degrees I lead. In 2020, I led the successful validation of two new computing degrees – BSc (Hons) Computing and BSc (Hons) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. In 2023, I led the validation of a large MSc in Advanced Computing and the re-validation of a significant apprenticeship degree portfolio.
In 2018, I was fortunate enough to travel to Jinhua, China to lead an intensive module in Web Authoring and Design as part of my role as a lecturer for the University of Worcester. The visit provided me with experience of teaching internationally, Chinese business etiquette and culture.
In 2017 and 2018, a module I led was voted the best computing and business module. In 2020, I was shortlisted for the award of Most Inspiring Lecturer of the Year. In 2022, I won the highly commended award for contribution to the community.
Teaching interests: web development, mobile development, programming, software engineering, JavaScript frameworks, LAMP stack, agile methodologies, e-commerce, digital marketing, cloud computing and e-business.
Research interests: web technologies, web accessibility, computer science education, blended learning, higher education, gamification in higher education