Chris is a Chartered Psychologist with research interests in the application of psychological theories to learning and learning contexts with a particular focus on motivation and engagement. His doctoral research explored parental experiences of language learning and the extent to which this affects their child's motivation to learn a foreign language at secondary school. In addition, Chris has produced staff development materials on the application of positive psychology to personal tutoring and using the key principles of self-determination to inform motivational authentic assessment design. 

Chris is a mixed methods researcher and has a strong knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This is underpinned by his philosophical position as Critical Realist.

Outside of psychology, Chris is also a linguist with native fluency in French. He also has a intermediate level of German, Spanish and Welsh. He has a keen interest in sociolinguistics and dialectology, particularly in relation to a regional language spoken in northern France and Belgium called 'Picard'.  

Chris has taught across a broad selection of subjects including English for Academic Purposes, Education (and associated pathways), and Psychology. His main interests lie in teaching excellence in HE and using motivational methods to enhance engagement. He is a mentor for AdvanceHE Fellowships up to and including D3 Senior Fellow as well as for the institutional BCU Professional Mentoring programme. He has keen interests in staff and educational development and has successfully completed the SEDA Fellowship Programme. In recognition of this, Chris now mentors and assesses for the SEDA Fellowship (FSEDA) and sits on the SEDA Fellowship Committee.

Chris currently teaches on the PGCE Secondary ITE programme as well as supporting the Education Studies, Working with Children, Families and Young People and Early Years programmes. In addition, Chris is a doctoral supervisor within Education and is currently supervising two EdD projects.