Dr Craig Smith

Online Learning Technologist

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I am a Learning Technologist with the Institute of Policing, supporting the online delivery of Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programmes (DHEP and DCDHEP).

My career began in science as a Chemistry PhD student researching Homotropanes, synthesising chemicals structurally similar to the deadly Anatoxin-a (also known as Very Fast Death Factor) and drugs such as atropine and cocaine. After three years of post-doctoral research at The Institute of Food Research, I moved into education and training.

After qualifying as a teacher, I taught Science and ICT in schools. Achieving 'Using VLEs in my teaching' from The Open University furthered my knowledge and understanding of e-learning. As a teacher, I used multimedia authoring software to create interactive learning material and, using my web design skills, developed those into standalone websites.

More recent roles have included Qualified Assessor/Trainer for Digital Apprenticeships, such as Creative & Digital Media and Digital Marketing. In my education and training career, I have taught and trained people of all ages and abilities using a variety of different delivery methods, including traditional classroom teaching, one-to-one training, eLearning and online training via web conferencing. My digital knowledge includes experience in video production and video editing, offering video marketing services to businesses.

Professional memberships and activities

Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT)

Academic qualifications

  • PhD, ‘Homotropanes : Synthetic approaches to the 9-azabicyclo [4.2.1] nonane/ene ring system’, University of Leicester.
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of Birmingham.
  • BSc (Hons) Biological Chemistry, University of Leicester.

Expertise

  • Blackboard
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Video production
  • Video editing
  • Digital Marketing
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021