Matthew Pointon

Senior Lecturer

Matthew is a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University. He has been a lecturing within the University since 2001 working for the School of Information Studies, School of Informatics and currently School of Computing Engineering and Information Sciences. Matthew is the programme leader for a set undergraduate degree programmes in the Information Communication Management area, and has module tutor responsibilities on core web modules delivered within School. These modules predominantly focus on: web design, web standards, web usability, web communications and graphic design.

Before the lectureship, Matthew worked as a multimedia developer designing e-learning materials for distance learning programmes at Northumbria University. He has also worked as a web manager and developer within the School supporting the production of web materials for learning and promotional purposes.

Externally to the University, Matthew has run various consultancy sessions within the Newcastle area raising the profile of web standards to teachers within Secondary Schools and Further Education Colleges. He has also worked with the regional education body leading sessions on web authoring and multimedia design to students aged 14-18.

In 2007 Matthew worked as a consultant for the Universities E-learning Team. His main duties focused on content accessibility and usability of web materials before publication through the University e-learning portal. Matthew was also part of a working group planning to implement a departmental strategy embedding web standards into day-to-day development activities.

Presently Matthew is working with the University Enterprise department. The work will form the basis for a web usability project, the project aims to support and evaluate SME’s web services offering “real world” scenarios recording user interactions. Coupled with this project Matthew is using the research to feed into his Professional Doctorate that he started in 2011.

Research publications

• Pointon, M & Oliver, P. Exploring the teaching & learning process using emergent technologies like Web 2.0. Northumbria University Conference 2008.
• Pointon, M. Optimising Online Content Production: Embedding Accessibility Practices in the Development Process. Online Educa Berlin 2007.

Research interests

• User Behaviour and UX design
• Web accessibility & Usability (masters dissertation)
• New media development (Web 2.0 and mobile technologies)
• Web 2.0 integrations within business
• Interface and semiotic design
• E-learning: Researching material development and communication using new technology.

Link to qualifications and professional bodies

• 2011 Started Professional Doctorate “Information Science”
• 2003 PCAP – ILT professional membership
• 2002 University of Northumbria at Newcastle, MSc. Information Studies 
• 1999 B.Sc. (Hons) Information Communication Management 
• 1997 HND Computing Science for Business