PARKLANDS - Key Persons
Carmilla was appointed Principal of Parklands Primary School in June 2020. She has more than 10 years experience of working in primary schools across Northamptonshire and Staffordshire where she has worked within different leadership teams with a focus on school improvement.
Carmilla is passionate about giving children the very best start in their education career and ensuring their school is a very special place, that provides them with incredible experiences.
Jo Byrne currently has two children at Parklands. Jo works for a local family photographic business. Alongside this, Jo also provides respite care for a young adult with additional needs, this role has also given her experience in working with safeguarding procedures and parental links.
Michael is a father of 3 kids at Parklands Primary and a Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Northampton (UoN). Michael is the founder and Director of the Centre for Advanced and Smart Technologies (CAST) at UoN. He is also the Co-founder and Director of Centre for Race Equality (CARE) at UoN and Programme Leader of Electronics and Computer Engineering, a Chartered Engineer (CEng) of the IET, Chartered Manager (CMgr) of CMI, Senior Member of the IEEE (SMIEEE) and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Michael has held several academics committee and leadership positions including representing the research community in the University Senate, Chairing the research supervisory forum, and sitting on Faculty research degree boards.
Michael is the author of over 80 peer-reviews publications: five books, two book chapters, over 16 journals and 32 conference papers. Besides his curriculum activities, he is an Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) educator who has implemented/delivered several innovative and training around creating and inclusive environment for both academics and students towards student retention, closing the grade and award gap as well as enhancing the overall learning experience. In 2022 his team received the Education Changemaker of the year award in recognition of the Cultural Integration workshops. In 2019, he won the Diamond Early Career Research Award at the University of Northampton. He is also a winner of the University of Northampton's 2018 International Changemaker of the year award. Michael's research interest span across three main strands and disciplines: 1. Electronics and Computer Engineering (Computer architecture, robotics, embedded systems, sensor design); 2. Business and Management (Neuromarketing, advertising and marketing research) and 3. Pedagogy (Education Research). Michael has a PhD in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering and MSc in Embedded and Distributed Systems. He also holds a BSc. (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and four teaching qualifications.