Steve previously worked on technology related to millions of devices, used by tens of millions of users, in areas as diverse as consumer electronics, logistics, education and healthcare. Steve’s focus on highly innovative hardware-plus-software solutions has led to over 125 patents and scientific papers with more than 25,000 citations.

Steve said: “after nearly 20 years at Microsoft Research I’ve decided it’s time for a new challenge, and I have moved to Lancaster University as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Computing and Communications.”

“At Lancaster I’m looking forward to working with the next generation of computer scientists and pursuing a research agenda with three areas of focus: new directions for physical computing in the classroom and beyond, working even more closely with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation; new assistive devices for people with disabilities, including wearable cameras, hearing aids and input devices; and new technologies that ease the transition from device prototypes to products, working with the EPSRC-funded Pro² Network+.”

Steve has indeed worked on a wide variety of projects over the years. He provided technical leadership during the development of the BBC micro:bit, instigating a small team to complete the hardware design and oversee on-going production. Since then, the micro:bit has reached an estimated 1.5% of children worldwide. He is co-creator of the Jacdac electronic device prototyping platform, and he led the research team behind the SenseCam wearable camera which has featured on the BBC, in Time magazine, and has been on display in the London Science Museum for over a decade.

Head of Department for the School of Computing and Communications, Distinguished Professor Nigel Davies said: “We are absolutely delighted that Dr Steve Hodges is joining us.  Steve is an internationally renowned researcher with an outstanding track record of real-world impact from his work in areas as diverse as memory augmentation, low-cost devices and computer science education. He was one of the key architects of the micro:bit project that has helped over 44 million children in 60 countries learn to write computer programs - having a global impact on society’s ability to harness the potential of computer science.”