Postgraduate Student Profiles

Darren graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science in 2002, followed by an MSc in Advanced Computer Science, both from The University of Manchester. He is now continuing his studies at Manchester as a PhD student in the School of Computer Science.

"After graduating, I was interested in a career in computing but decided to combine travelling and working first to gain experience and skills that would give me an edge when applying for jobs. I taught English in Japan for almost 2 years, after which I returned to Manchester to complete a Master's degree in computer science. After the Master's degree I started studying for a PhD.

My research area, The Human Centred Web, is an interdisciplinary field that combines the technical aspects of the Web with user studies and human factors. During my time here, I have received continuous help and guidance from my supervisors and have also been fortunate enough to present our work at several conferences and workshops, both in the UK and internationally.

One of the things I appreciate most about studying at Manchester, particularly within Computer Science, is that there is a good working atmosphere. A large number of researchers are willing to offer suggestions and advice and the school provides support to all students to help them with their studies."