I work for the Post Experience Vocational Education (PEVE) unit in the School of Computer Science at the University of Manchester . I've been here since I arrived as a student in 1978. It's a good place to be.
Feel free to talk to me if you're interested in any of the hands-on training courses, distance learning courses or other services which PEVE provides, or if you have other training needs which we may be able to meet.
I teach object-oriented languages - especially Java - and techniques, (and occasionally other things) to undergraduate and postgraduate students here, participants on industrial training courses, and students on distance learning courses.
If you're looking for information about local Java implementations etc., the place to start is the department's software page. For new Java programmers, I recommend my tips for new Java programmers
Over the years I have done research in parallel architectures, programming languages and compilation techniques, and have dabbled in various other areas of computer science. I designed and led the implementation of the United Functions and Objects programming language, which attempted to combine the best of functional and object-oriented programming. However, I now believe that the two paradigms are fundamentally incompatible, although use of functional programming techniques within object-oriented programs is sometimes useful.
My current research interest is in computer-assisted assessment, and I am leader of the ABC project.
I live in Marple - an excellent place to live if you want to be out of town - with Mary, Albert, Pepper and Charles Douglas.
I played chess for many years, but gave this up for Go, which I consider a much better board game. The British Go Association site is a good way to learn about this excellent game. The Manchester Go Club meets on Thursday evenings in the Town Hall Tavern near Albert Square.
I also do a fair amount of hillwalking, and particularly like to go to Norway. Take a look at Arnt Flatmo's wonderful pages and you'll see why.
Orienteering is another fine game which I've attempted from time to time, with very limited success.
As you're reading this, then the only contact information you need is