2 Support team
Dr Chrissi Nerantzi
Dr Chrissi Nerantzi (PFHEA, NTF, CATE) is a Professor in Creative and Open Education in the School of Education and a Senior Lead of the Knowledge Equity Network at the University of Leeds, the founder of the Creativity for Learning in Higher Education Community (#creativeHE) , and the co-chair of the ICDE Open Education Network. She is also leading the collaborative project 101 creative ideas to use AI in education , and its 2 outputs to date were recognised with an Open Education Global Award in 2024. Chrissi is leading the Imaginative Curriculum Research and Scholarship Centre in the School of Education to be launched officially in September 2026.
Dr Richard de Blacquiere-Clarkson
Dr Richard de Blacquiere-Clarkson is the AI Hub lead, Scholarship Ethics Lead and an Academic Development Consultant at the University of Leeds who works across a range of fields including artificial intelligence, research ethics, digital pedagogies, inclusive education and curriculum design.
Kirstine McDermid
Kirstine McDermid is an Open Educational Resources Manager at the University of Leeds Libraries, dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable learning pathways through open education. With expertise in Pressbooks, accessibility, copyright and licensing, and learning and user experience, she supports educators in adapting and creating open educational resources. Kirstine is also actively involved in equality, diversity and inclusion, advocating for a more inclusive and accessible university environment.
Dr Damian McDonald
Dr Damian McDonald (AFHEA, AMALT, MIE, BSc (Hons), MA, PhD) is a Senior Learning Technologist at the University of Leeds who employs multi-disciplinary approaches and techniques to create, implement, and publish the results of pedagogical research in a multitude of areas from Social Informal Learning Spaces and Design Thinking, to the use of games as a learning tool, poetry as a reflection tool, and Artificial Intelligence.
Thom Freeth
Thom Freeth is the Producer and Relationship Manager for the Knowledge Equity Network based at the University of Leeds. His background as a producer in the arts and cultural sector includes extensive experience managing creative projects, fostering collaborative partnerships, and engaging diverse communities.
John Palfreyman
John is an Associate Professor of Digital Strategy and a consultant with Palfreyman Ventures. With IBM until 2017, John led global initiatives applying emerging technologies to improve organisational efficiency. His work focuses on digital transformation, Web 3.0, Blockchain, AI, and leadership in organisational change. John promotes the responsible use of Generative AI within the Business School. John has authored several books, including Business Blockchain and Digital Transformation Handbook, and his research on agile digital transformation won a global best paper award in 2022. John was awarded the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2025.
