CAL Digital Education - Who we are

Vittorio has worked as a Learning Technologist and VLE Project Lead for the NHS previously, and started in this role in CAL Digital Education in July 2019. Vittorio supports CAL staff with all of the digital tools used in the college, with a close focus on Canvas, PebblePad, and Panopto, and Vittorio manages the training offered delivered to Academic staff, Professional Services and College Students.

James Leahy has been a Learning Technologist for 9 years and has worked for the University since February 2017. James supports CAL staff and students set up and access resources on Canvas and Panopto and to create engaging video and presentation materials. James also helps adapt or develop existing CAL resources and to digitise legacy materials. James’ other focus is exploring ways in which students can submit to traditional assessments with appropriate contemporary formats such as video or embed codes for dynamic social media content. James is also constantly experimenting with introducing external content to the learning environment with a view to maintaining the quality of the student experience.

Gabi is an Instructional Design Consultant for the College of Arts & Law. Her role is to support academics in the learning design aspects of curriculum design and delivery, with a focus on blended learning (i.e. a combination of face-to-face and online teaching) and distance education. She is an experienced facilitator of staff development around learning and teaching in higher education. Gabi has a Master’s in Training & Development and a Master’s in English Education, and is currently working towards her PhD in Higher Education: Research, Evaluation & Enhancement. 

Melanie is an Instructional Design Consultant based in the College of Arts and Law (CAL). She works with academic staff across the College supporting innovative practice in research intensive teaching, and alongside Professional Services colleagues in developing their use of technology. She supports the College’s Digital Humanities programmes and develops collaborative relationships with a range of internal and external partners to promote the University’s wider digital education agenda.

Mel is currently studying for my PhD in archaeology at University of Birmingham. Her interests lie in borders and landscapes of conflict, early medieval archaeology and the application of technology to archaeological research.

Kelly is in the final stage of her MA in Digital Technologies, Communication and Education at The University of Manchester. She has worked in Higher Education for over a decade, working mainly in Careers Services, where she developed her interest in the use of online social networks to improve access to opportunities for students from widening participation backgrounds. Her teaching experience includes contributing to credit-bearing modules through lectures, small group work and tutorials. She has an interest in working in partnership with students and holds the SEDA Institutional Change Leader Award.

She has worked as a Digital Learning Adviser for the University since November 2018, where she supports CAL staff and students in the use of Canvas, Panopto and Turning Technologies.

Ben has over 5 years experience and joined the CAL Digital Education team in January 2020 as a Digital Learning Advisor. His role involves supporting CAL staff and students in the use of various digital technologies with a particular focus on Canvas and Pebblepad