Mr Luke Harrison
Faculty of Social Science, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy (VA)
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in Sound Technology and the Subject Group Head for Music in the SHAPE faculty of the University of Salford. My career has spanned various roles in the university sector, including Technician, Programme Leader, Subject Group Head and Academic Lead. I also have experience as a musician, recording studio engineer, and sound designer. This wide experience has given me a rounded sense of education within creative arts and the place of sound within it. I hold a BA(Hons) in Popular Music and Recording and an MSc in Audio Production and I am especially interested in the crossover between the art and science of audio.
From 2022 - 2025 I served as the Academic Lead for Higher Technical Skills at the University of Salford. In this role, I was instrumental in developing and overseeing the delivery of courses that fall under the broad category of Higher Technical Skills as part of the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology. My work involved collaboration with various academic and professional service departments and external organisations to ensure that the curriculum meets industry and apprenticeship standards, addressing the skills gap in the technical education sector. As part of this role, I successfully led the university's application for the accreditation of three Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ's) that are delivered through the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology, alongside several other DipHE programmes.
In 2024, I was recognised as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, reflecting my significant contributions to higher education and my commitment to advancing teaching and learning practices.
As subject group head, I lead a team of 18 academics delivering across 3x Undergraduate programmes and 1x postgraduate programme. Achievements so far include improved NSS outcomes, managing through institutional change, and increased visibility of the department internally and externally in the media.
In my teaching role, I strive for excellence and aim to evolve pedagogical methods to match industry practice as well as theory. I currently teaches across levels 4 to 7 on BA(Hons) Media & Performance, BA(Hons) Technical Theatre (Production and Design), MA Screen Acting and MA: Music
When not thinking about sound, I enjoys historical reading, tabletop gaming, racing sailing dinghies, and running.
Areas of Research
I am primarily interested in research around audio/sound technology and how this is used for engagement with history. This includes notions around sound as used to represent authenticity and sound used to evoke the feelings of a historical era. My research on sound for heritage spaces includes my latest work titled ‘Rapid Prototyping of Soundscapes for Heritage Spaces’. I co-hosted the ‘Salford Sound Symposium’ in July 2022.
I am particularly interested in where technical and scientific approaches converge with holistic analysis and critique to develop a broad understanding of sound recording and production.
My research also focuses on improving technical education, aiming to enhance the quality and effectiveness of technical training programs.
Qualifications
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Academic Practice
2015 - 2016 -
MSc Audio Production
2010 - 2014 -
Popular Music and Recording
2004 - 2007
Recognitions
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Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
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Academic Board for Ada - The National College for Technical Skills