Andy Holland

Profile

I joined the Library Learning Development team as the Library Makerspace Specialist in April 2023, where I have lead responsibility for the ongoing project management of the new Library Makerspace. Since starting my post I have lead the development of the space refining the initial project conceptualisation into delivery of the existing facility. 

Prior to taking up my current post I spent three and a half years as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Architectural Heritage and VR Modelling here in Leeds working with communities in the Middle East and the Global South. My work included teaching digital skills to marginalised and poor communities through online, in-person and blended learning methods. This knowledge transfer empowered communities as equal participants and co-designer of digital cultural heritage outputs, storytelling and recording of intangible heritage, which in turn now supports sustainable economic development and micro-enterprises within their communities.  

Prior to my work in Leeds my doctoral and postdoctoral research and teaching at the University of Bradford concentrated on 3D digital innovation for Cultural Heritage, Human paleopathology and forensic archaeology and along with several colleagues, I was a recipient of the 2013 and 2014 Prospect Awards for Best Postgraduate Teaching Team and the 2017 University of Bradford Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching.   

Internationally I have received recognition as a visiting researcher including at MONREPOS Archäologisches Forschungszentrum und Museum für menschliche Verhaltensevolution in Germany, The Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya and the Jordan Museum in Jordan.  In addition to my 3D and digital heritage work I am an accredited forensic archaeologist with 20 years experience of emergency response from aviation to natural disasters. 

I have a passion for making, experimentation and creative innovation and expression both in my personal hobbies and my professional work. My academic research and teaching is characterised by a focus on technical innovation, exploration of new and emergent technologies and their application to teaching and research that drives better understanding of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology.   

This passion is something that I bring to my current role in the Library Makerspace where I encourage, advise and facilitate students, staff and researchers to explore and experiment with a broad range of manual, digital and technological approaches to creativity and to develop their skills and capabilities. I have a wide range of experience from 3D printing, 3D scanning, digital design and CAD, electronics, to manual tools and sewing allowing me to support Makerspace users in a wide range of creative outputs.  

As part of my role, I am actively involved in a number of initiatives focused on the development of creative learning and innovations spaces in the University of Leeds. I co-chair the Learning Development Team Makerspace working group, which supports the management of the Library Makerspace, and plans it’s long term strategic vision and it’s pedagogical value to other learning development team members, university academics, students and alumni. Additionally I am a core member of cross-institutional working groups including the Creative Innovation and Learning Spaces group that facilitates cross campus working and discussion. This collaborative project is founded in the Library Makerspace and HELIX but now encompasses colleagues from faculty-based “maker” facilities throughout Leeds University with the aim of promoting a wider ecosystem of creative innovation and making across the University of Leeds campuses and to provide a community of practice for those managing similar services. We aim to create mechanisms for collaboration and shared resourcing with the aim of opening up access to a wider range of facilities to drive greater innovation and creativity by members of the University.  

I co-lead the repair café initiative in collaboration with colleagues from the Sustainability Service, which has created a peer to peer knowledge exchange network that is supporting knowledge and skills development and educating students and staff on the environmental impact of our disposable culture and encourages more sustainable futures through reuse and repair.    

Responsibilities

• Library Makerspace Manager

Qualifications

• PhD Forensic Taphonomy, Archaeology & Digital Heritage Science, University of Bradford
• PGCE post 16 Education, University of Huddersfield
• MSc Forensic Anthropology, University of Bradford
• BSc (hons) Archaeology, University of Bradford

Professional memberships

• MCIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists