Richard Mcevoy-Crompton

I joined the University in an academic capacity in 2010 as a part-time lecturer delivering one module on the BDes Special Effects Development degree. The success of this position then led to further work, before being taken on in a full-time capacity in 2013. My role as a lecturer on this course grew significantly during the subsequent years, from the development and delivery of one module to having a hand not only in the creation of a suite of modules but the ethos of the entire course. In 2015, I successfully progressed to Programme Leader of the Special Effects for Film and TV degree and since then have driven the course (now suite of courses) on to greater heights.

However, my experience with the university goes much further than that; I studied here between 2007 and 2010. I believe this gives me an interesting aspect in regards to the student experience, specifically, as I have actually experienced it. I hold a BDes in Special Effects Development for which I attained a first-class honours degree, I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have completed a PGCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. My experience at The University of Bolton has instilled in me a passion for the progression of my course (and the University) as my investment in it is personal and now quite long-standing. I am better because of this University and I want the University to be better because of me.

It is my belief that modern universities should be high performing technically advanced centres for knowledge sharing and exploration. Research is a huge part of that but in modern/newer fields; it does not always need to take the form of publication. Research is not just data. I believe that practical research leads to opportunities to implement real-world practices into the core curriculum and this is the ethos of my approach to development with the courses I am involved with.

The University of Bolton Special and Visual Effects degrees are widely becoming known as being the best in the country in the HE sector. Our teaching approach is intensive and our industry informed approach puts us at the cutting edge of practical research in our field. My aim for all of our courses is that they are distinctive high quality, student-focused, undergraduate programmes, which attract applications from all over the world and offer an exciting and challenging student experience compared to our competitors. I ensure my team deliver high levels of proactive student support and excellent facilities we are the best at what we do in the UK (at the very least). I firmly believe in driving the standards of teaching forward, particularly in regards to the creative delivery of concepts.