For Staff

Neil Morris is Chair of Educational Technology, Innovation and Change in the School of Education and the Dean of Digital Education at the University of Leeds.

He is a National Teaching Fellow, and has won a number of national awards for teaching excellence. Neil has a research background in neuroscience and has active research in educational technology, online learning and blended learning. He has published widely on the impact of blended learning, online learning and mobile technologies on student learning and engagement and he is the co-author of Study Skills Connected, a successful textbook on using technology effectively to enhance learning (Palgrave MacMillan), and Studying a MOOC: a guide (Palgrave MacMillan). Neil is co-lead educator on the FutureLearn online courses Blended Learning Essentials with Prof. Diana Laurillard, a project funded by the Ufi Charitable Trust.

In his current role, reporting directly to the Deputy-Vice Chancellor for Student Education, Neil has strategic and operational responsibility as the Dean of the Digital Education Service, which is responsible for delivering online courses on the FutureLearn, Coursera and VLE platforms. Neil has authored a number of strategies and policies for the University, including the Digital Strategy for Taught Student Education, the Blended Learning Strategy, the MOOC vision and strategy and the Open Educational Resources policy. Neil has led a number of strategic technology projects at Leeds, including Online Distance Learning, Digital Learning, collaborative lecture theatres, MOOCs for FutureLearn, lecture capture, Open Educational Resources, Virtual Learning Environment and student response handsets. Neil has given many keynote talks at UK and international events, and is a regular speaker at conferences.

Neil is the Director of the University of Leeds Centre for Research in Digital Education. Neil's research investigates the use of technology to enhance learning for HE students, with particular interests in MOOCs, learner analytics, technology adoption and mobile devices. Neil is the Principal Investigator on a current ESRC grant exploring the impact of digital technology on the unbundling of higher education, a collaborative project with Prof Laura Czerniewicz at University of Cape Town in South Africa (see project website).

Tel: +44 113 343 7014
Email: N.P.Morris@leeds.ac.uk