After studying Maths at Cambridge and then Computer Science at Edinburgh and Northumbria, Steven joined Durham University in 1997 as a lecturer in Computer Science and has been a Professor (teaching) at Durham since 2020. He chairs the ACM UK Special Interest Group in Computer Science Education and has published several research papers in computer science pedagogy, particularly in the areas of assessment and diversity. As well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in maths and computer science he holds a Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice.
With four children now finished school, Steven has had a long history of school governance, including many years as Chair of Governors at Esh CofE Primary School, and is currently a member of the Melrose MAT board and the board of governors at Durham Trinity School. He is also involved in his local church, where he is the treasurer.
Steven likes playing musical instruments and singing and holds many music qualifications including Grade 1 Violin (with merit). He is qualified in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting as well as Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm. In sailing he holds the RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification and acts as personal sailing advisor to Guy Gordon, the Highland Vet, having previously held the rank of patrol leader of the Penguins in the 19th Tynemouth 9th Tyne Sea Scouts.