New professors announced

All four professors are recognised as world experts in their fields of technology, mobile learning, engineering and international business.

Among those recognised is John Traxler, Director of the University’s Learning Lab, who has become Professor of Mobile Learning. This title is understood to be a world first and recognises the contribution John has made within this new and rapidly growing field, both nationally and internationally.

Also honoured is Garry Homer, who has been made Professor of Technology Transfer in recognition of his work with technology transfer with industry and commerce. Mike Haynes, from the University of Wolverhampton of Business School is now Professor of International Political Economy and Kevin Kibble, from the School of Engineering and the Built Environment, has been conferred the title of Professor of Materials Engineering.

Professor Jean Gilkison, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, said: “The University is proud to recognise the academic excellence of its staff through the award of the distinguished title of Professor. The four professors are all outstanding scholars in their field and recognised as world experts. The University greatly values their contributions to their fields, to the wider community, and to the University’s community of students and staff.”

The four professors will be invited to receive the recognition at the University of Wolverhampton’s March 2010 graduation ceremony.

Information about the four professors

John Traxler is the Director of the Learning Lab at the University of Wolverhampton and of the UK Co-Lab of the American ADL network. He is a Director of the International Association for Mobile Learning, Associate Editor of the International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning and was Conference Chair of mLearn2008, the world’s biggest and oldest mobile learning research conference. He also sits on the MoLeNET board for mobile learning in FE and advises UK universities on mobile learning projects

Garry Homer is Technical Director of the University’s IT Futures Centre, an initiative that aims to provide small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with assistance in introducing technological solutions and innovations to support their business and commercial activities. He is also Technical Director of the ‘e-Innovation Centre’, a science and innovation centre based at the Telford Campus, providing incubation space and support for new and established companies operating in the high-value, technology-rich market place.

Mike Haynes was a Reader at the University of Wolverhampton Business School and is in charge of the Doctoral Programme. His research covers the broad area of comparative economic and social change and he has recently been researching the impact of unemployment and redundancy on health in the West Midlands. In July he gave a paper to an international conference which explored some of the issues following the take-over of the Beatties store in Wolverhampton by House of Fraser.

Kevin Kibble is Director for Research and Scholarship of the Department of Engineering and Technology in the School of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton. He is a practical materials engineer with wide industrial and research experience. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Quality Institute (FCQI) and elected onto the national council of the CQI, also a Chartered Engineer.

Further information

For more information please contact Emma Kilvert in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.