Emerging technologies expert awarded honorary degree

Developer, architect, consultant and presenter in emerging technologies, Ian Hughes has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology by Solent University today (Monday 9 July). 

Ian is a Senior Analyst for Internet of Things practice at 451 Research, with 30 years' experience in the industry.   

A software engineer by trade, his interest in video games led him into programming in the 80s. Ian was self-taught before going on to study for a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.   

A 20-year career at IBM in emerging technologies followed – from building some of the first client/server enterprise applications of the 1990s, to early web development in 1998, and social media in 2004.  

Ian was influential in enterprise virtual-worlds adoption, such as Second Life in 2006-09, and bringing the Wimbledon Championships into the space. He has numerous patents to his name, including simulations of sporting events in a virtual world, activity tracking and location-based services.   

In 2009, Ian started his own company, Feeding Edge, where he presented a regular emerging technology feature as Super Geek on a UK children's TV show, The Cool Stuff Collective; built virtual multi-user training hospitals; wrote a technology column for a fashion magazine; and published two sci-fi novels under his long time online name, Epredator.  

Ian is a STEMnet ambassador, volunteering to help young people engage with technology. He is also chair of the BCS Animation and Games specialist group based out of Solent University, and is an avid gamer across all platforms.   

He is a frequent visitor to Solent, holding regular talks for students, staff and the wider public about the latest developments in the use of augmented reality and virtual reality for both business and industrial use, as well as the games industry. 

Addressing students at their graduation ceremony, he said: "We are now at a point in time where you can share what you’re doing with like-minded people anywhere in the world, so follow your dreams. I want you to leave here today, go out and invent things, entertain people, keep practicing, and always, always keep learning."