Deputy Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment at the University of Salford, UK
Dr. Chris Hughes is currently Interim Deputy Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment at the University of Salford, UK, where he also holds the substantive position of Director of Computer Science and Engineering. An accomplished academic leader, he has extensive experience in higher education, research, and innovation, with a strong focus on driving inclusivity and diversity through technology.
Dr. Hughes’s research explores how computer science can be harnessed to improve accessibility, particularly within the broadcast sector and immersive environments such as Virtual Reality (VR) and eXtended Reality (XR). His work addresses the needs of people with hearing and visual impairments, learning difficulties, age-related accessibility challenges, and those who speak different languages. As a partner in the Horizon 2020 Immersive Accessibility (ImAc) Project, he contributed to advancing inclusive design in broadcast experiences, helping to shape more accessible media for all.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Hughes collaborated with the User Experience (UX) group at BBC R&D, where he pioneered the concept of responsive subtitles and developed novel techniques for automatic subtitle recovery and phonetic realignment. His ongoing work continues to bridge the gap between academia and industry, with a particular emphasis on creating accessible and user-centered solutions in emerging immersive technologies.
University of Salford
Deputy Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment