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Mr Paul Smith

Role

I'm a Senior Technical Researcher within IT Services R&D/ILRT. 

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

I joined the ILRT in 2000, moving from a web development and technical support role for a UK software distribution company, where my specialism was in web analytics tools and web development. I previously studied Information Systems at Leeds University where I was exposed to the early days of the WWW, and can still remember when Yahoo! was just a couple of pages and Mosaic was a popular browser.

During my time with the ILRT, I have been involved with the development of numerous web sites both within and external to the University, using a variety of platforms from simple Perl-based applications, to more complex installations using systems such as Drupal, Wordpress, Plone, Zope, Moodle, and combinations of all of these. More recently I have been involved with the development of mobile applications for use within the University. I am also project manager for a number of websites we host for clients such as the Worldwide Universities Network, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, and the Equality Challenge Unit. I am also currently service manager for the Bristol Online Surveys (BOS) system.

I was the lead developer and technical manager on the Virtual Training Suite service from its inception in 2000, until its recent transfer to a local software house in July 2011. I was also the acting manager for the ILRT Internet Development Group between February 2011 and May 2012.

I have passed the Level 3 Award in Effective Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management, and the ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management.

Interests

  • Web standards
  • Web analytics
  • Mobile computing
  • PhoneGap mobile development
  • Drupal
  • Wordpress
  • Social media
  • Front-end development

Conferences & teaching

  • I taught an annual session on the importance and use of web standards in the 'Information Systems and Services' MSc course at the University of the West of England. (February 2008 – 2011)
  • Presented a paper on ‘Virtual Training Suite’ technical developments at the international ASCILITE conference in Auckland, New Zealand. (December 2002)
  • Presented at a workshop for the Russian Cultural Heritage Network in Moscow as a guest of the British Council. (January 2002)

Memberships