Team

DAPTEC Team
Cardiff Met University Team	Role
Fiona Carroll DAPTEC Project Manager Reader in Human Computer Interaction Dr. Fiona Carroll is a reader with the School of Technologies, Cardiff Met University, Wales. Her research over the past seventeen years has focused on the fast-changing relations between humans and digital technologies. It is inter-disciplinary and shows a substantial contribution to scholarship in the fields of Human Computer Interaction. She is very passionate about the possibilities that technology holds for society but equally, is very aware of the effects that it is currently having on us, as humans. Fiona is especially interested in the presentation of data and how we make this data (often invisible) useful, insightful and of value to society. As an accomplished academic, she has successfully won more than seventeen research grant applications and has more than forty peer-reviewed publications. She is programme director for Computing with Creative Design and Computing for Interaction and she co-leads the Creative Computing Research (HAD- HUMAN, AI & DATA) Centre at Cardiff Met University.
Jon Pigott DAPTEC Project co-investigator Senior Lecturer Artist Designer Maker Dr Jon Pigott is an academic based within the School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Jon’s research and creative practice sits within the art-science-technology arena and within the fields of sound art, kinetic sculpture and science and technology studies (STS). His research and teaching are often driven by a practice-based approach which includes various making processes such as digital fabrication and hand-made electronics. Prior to entering academia Jon worked in the music and audio industry helping to bring numerous high-profile music and film projects to fruition. Jon’s PhD in Electro mechanical Sound Art was awarded by Bath Spa University in 2017, he is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and has exhibited and published work internationally in both a solo and collaborative context.
Simon Thorne DAPTEC Project co-investigator Senior Lecturer in AI Dr. Simon Thorne is a senior lecturer with the School of Technologies, Cardiff Met University, Wales. He has led and managed a number of large scale research orientated industrial partnerships with various partners. Simon manages 2 KTP projects with Yard Digital on improving digital marketing decision making using machine learning. He also supervises 2 KESS2 scholarships based on machine learning in market attribution and risk modelling in cryptocurrency insurance. He has also been a research leader for 15 years at the learned organisation the European Spreadsheets Risks Interest Group, editing over 150 peer reviewed academic papers.
Jess Hornby Research Assistant DAPTEC – Flat Holm project Jess Hornby is a graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University with a BSc in Computer Games Design and Development. Whilst working on her final year dissertation, she became particularly interested in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), exploring how an individual’s experience and engagement with a piece of hardware or software can be improved. Whilst this originated in the field of gaming, she hopes to branch out into other areas of computer science, knowing how important technology is becoming in our everyday lives and wanting to make the experiences it provides positive and useful. Hand in hand with this, Jess also has an interest in psychology, curious about the emotions and thoughts that technology and its uses can incite within an individual.
Aidan Taylor Research Assistant DAPTEC – Flat Holm Project Aidan Taylor is a creative technologist working with analogue electronics, physical computing and sound. He is a researcher based at Cardiff Metropolitan University and has worked on applied and inclusive design research projects. Aidan was one of the developers of HUG™ which was an outcome the AHRC funded LAUGH Project, and later developed for commercialisation through SMART Expertise funding provided by Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund. HUG™ recently won two national awards as part of the AbilityNet Tech4Good 2020 awards scheme, winning in the “People’s Choice” and “Winner of Winners” categories. Aidan’s practice revolves around hand-crafted electronic music and over the last decade he has designed and created numerous electronic instruments and sound devices, today he is working on an open-source modular system under his brand Electric Noodle Box™. His work also has a strong community focus exploring well-being and empowerment through technical skill-sharing and workshop activities for local communities, Aidan is chair of a charity based in Newport called Medrau Maindee Makers which aims to set up a community makerspace for this purpose.
Eleanor Gardner Research Administrator DAPTEC – Flat Holm Project Eleanor Gardner a graduate of London College of Fashion in surface pattern fashion design and technology. She is an experienced project, events, campaign and television producer. She always strives for positive outcomes and just loves to make things happen. She has produced fashion shows for London Fashion Week, organised and delivered a variety of BBC learning campaigns and events across Wales and worked for charities on funding campaigns and events, as well as working as a freelance fashion stylist since 2003. She brings her skills of project, marketing, design and administrative co-ordination to the team.
Yard Team
Paul Newbury DAPTEC Project Industrial Partner Chief Innovation Officer Paul Newbury has been working at Yard for fourteen years, having co-founded the company in 2006. Recently appointed to the role of Chief Innovation Officer, Paul is responsible for the implementation and growth of innovation within Yard, acting as the key strategic decision maker for all new and iterative products and services offered by the business.
Emily Davies DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Lead Data Scientist Emily Davies has a background in Mathematics, Statistics and Machine Learning. She has worked with many big name brands delivering commercially focused, high quality data science solutions, products and services. Emily has led large scale projects, including the build and productionisation of complex neural networks for modelling high quality predictive and classification systems. She is also passionate about attracting more young girls into the STEM and Tech space in Wales and has voluntarily lead and facilitated a ‘Girls in Tech Game Jam’ weekend in her local county.
Cardiff City Council Team
Natalie Taylor DAPTEC Project Industrial Partner Team Leader: Environment, Groundwater, Contracts, Community Liaison & Flat Holm. Natalie Taylor has worked for Cardiff Council for 20 years. She started as the Flat Holm Warden living and working on the island for 2.5 years and then secured the role as Flat Holm Manager. Her current position with Cardiff Harbour Authority has expanded since 2014 and as Team Leader is responsible for the Flat Holm, Environment, Groundwater & Contracts and Community Liaison Teams. A graduate of Cardiff University in BSc (Hons) Zoology degree, she obtained a MSc in Environmental Management (Protected Area Management) from Birkbeck and returned to Cardiff Business School and completed her MBA (Masters in Business Administration. She is really passionate about Flat Holm and is excited to work on a project that will engage with people in an innovatively way.
Tim Orrell DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Project Manager with Cardiff Harbour Authority for the Flat Holm – A Walk Through Time project Tim Orrell currently works as the Project Manager with Cardiff Harbour Authority for the Flat Holm – A Walk Through Time project. This partnership project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund aims to restore key aspects of the island’s-built heritage, enhance nature conservation outcomes, and engage a wider audience with Flat Holm Island and its amazing story. A scientist by training with an MSc in Ecology, he has worked in environmental education, nature conservation, interpretation and engagement projects.
David Evans DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Technical Officer Environment (Cardiff Harbour Authority) David Evans joined the then newly formed Cardiff Harbour Authority (CHA) in May 2000 as a Sampling Maintenance Technician. Previously he had worked as a survey scientist within the hydrometrics division of Hyder consulting and formerly trained in Aquaculture Science and Management. His role within the CHA is to facilitate the collection of environmental data to contribute to the overall management of the Bay and satisfy the requirements of the Local Authority regulator (Natural Resources Wales) under the Cardiff Bay Barrage Act 1993.Over the last 20 years the role continues with engaging challenges and, as part of a wider environment team, continues to develop skills and understanding to improve and protect the surrounding environment of Cardiff Bay. David has been key in the provision of Flatholm Island meteorological data to the project.
Dave Westerland DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Retail and Visitor Facilities Manager Cyngor Dinas Caerdydd / The City of Cardiff Council Dave Westerland is a public service professional with over 35 years’ experience of local govern-ment employment. Starting within leisure services he progressed to work within the Community Liaison Team of the Harbour Authority, where he supports on a number of projects aimed at maintaining sound and constructive relationships between the Authority, Bay users, local communities, local businesses and other external agencies. A key focus is Flat Holm related initiatives, working alongside other project team members in maintaining and securing this precious Council asset – Flat Holm Island for years to come.
Matthew Brown DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Flat Holm Warden Matthew Brown graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2013 with a BSC in Environmental Science, and since then has been working in the outdoor industry. Growing up in the Peak District allowed him to develop a keen sense of adventure and intrigue in the outdoors. He always aspired to live in a wild and remote place and his dream came true when he became warden of Flat Holm Island in the Spring of 2018.
Jen Breen Flat Holm Volunteer Jen is a physical geography graduate with a passion for nature, people and painting. Originating from Lancashire Jenny Breen moved to Aberystwyth to study for her degree. Since then she has had many jobs with two common themes, the great outdoors and people. Of her past roles she enjoyed her time as a field studies tutor and as a bush craft instructor the most. When not manning Flat Holm Island she can be found walking, camping, wild swimming or painting.
Younis Aldhahi DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Marketing Apprentice Younis Aldhahi is working as a marketing assistant apprentice. He was born and raised in Cardiff after his parent’s moved to Cardiff from Iraq over 30 years ago. His interests are in businesses, entrepreneurship, history, science and football.
Ben Edwards DAPTEC Project Industrial Associate Admin Apprentice Ben Edwards is a graduate from University of South Wales in Sound Engineering. Ben recently joined Cardiff Harbour Authority as an apprentice administrator. An advocate of Cardiff Ben has supported various artistic and sporting activities in and around the city over the past 15 years.