Ian joined Sheffield Hallam in 2008 after completing his doctorate at the University of Sheffield's Department of Town and Regional Planning. His thesis examined the application of Actor-Network Theory as a method of investigating the redevelopment of the historic built environment. This was an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded studentship awarded through open competition that illustrated how Actor-Network Theory could be utilised to understand the complex issues involved in adaption historic buildings for hospitality use.

Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam University, Ian had been part of a major research project at Sheffield University collecting and processing data from the national funding bodies for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland concerning the allocation of European funding. This research was commissioned by the Director General of the European Commission.

Before studying for his doctorate, Ian has worked at the University of Bath Business School as part of a team examining management practices in the European automotive industry, particularly issues concerned with achieving effective build to order. This research was part of one of the world's largest academic/industrial collaborations, the International Motor Vehicle Project, commissioned and directed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

As a Senior Lecturer in the Hospitality subject group, he teaches in the areas of Research Methods, Small Business Management and Human Resource Management. Since joining the group, Ian has also been the dissertation leader for Postgraduate courses in Hospitality, Tourism, Events and Food at the Sheffield Business School.

Ian sits of the Faculty Research Ethics Committee and currently supervises a number of doctoral students and would welcome applications for doctoral study that fit with his research interests.

Qualifications

• 2010: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
• 2009: PhD Department of Town and Regional Planning, University of Sheffield
• 2004: MA Planning Research, University of Sheffield
• 1999: BA Business Studies, Staffordshire University