Biography
Dr Christopher D. Lewis BMus MM PGCHE AFNCollM SFHEA FRSA HonFGMS
Dr Christopher D. Lewis is a senior university academic and Director of Education, who offers diverse experience in delivering innovative learning and teaching practices across the creative and digital disciplines. Dr Lewis is a recording artist (harpsichord) and since 2013, has recorded for Naxos Records - the world's largest independent classical music label. He is based in London, U.K.
As an academic, his teaching covers diverse creative disciplines, across a blend of in-person, live online, and asynchronous pedagogical practices. He is particularly passionate about supporting students in developing professional employability skills and finding opportunities to allow students a framework to develop skills as part of their learning journey, along with developing strategies to support colleagues in embedding this in their own teaching practice. Since 2023 Dr Lewis has been in post as Director of Education (School of Creative & Digital Industries) at Buckinghamshire New University, and prior to this served for five years as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chester. He has served as enhancement advisor to national and international H.E. providers, that have included University of Northampton, BIMM, University of Lincoln, Teesside University, and Royal Marines School of Music. He is an academic consultant to the University of Hull and Leeds Conservatoire of Music, and an external examiner to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the University of Chichester. Dr Lewis has held the role of Public Orator and wrote and delivered speeches on behalf of luminaries including Professor Dame Sally Davies, Sir Stephen Hough CBE, Valerie Masterson CBE, and Baroness Floella Benjamin DL. Dr Gyles Brandreth has described Dr Lewis’s speech writing and oration skills as "pitch-perfect in tone, content & delivery". As a recording artist & harpsichordist, Dr Lewis released an international series of critically acclaimed orchestral and solo recordings of contemporary music for the harpsichord, described by Gramophone Magazine as ‘pioneering’. His critically acclaimed discography with Naxos Records featured both solo and orchestral modern works for the harpsichord, and compositions from composers including Philip Glass, Vincent Persichetti, John Rutter, and Francis Poulenc. Professional affiliations include as a Ted Speaker, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and an Honorary Fellow of The Guild of Musicians & Singers. His academic qualifications include an undergraduate from McGill University (Canada), a Master’s degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Chester, and a Doctorate from the University of Southampton. |