About Me


I am a cultural heritage specialist and digital innovator, working at the intersection of history, technology, and public engagement. My goal is to make cultural heritage not only more accessible, but more meaningful in a digital age.

My work has always centred on transforming how we understand and interact with the past—whether that’s through digitizing rare books, building data-driven tools for archives, or using artificial intelligence to enhance discovery in cultural collections. I’ve spent the last two decades helping institutions rethink the role of historical collections in a digital-first world.

Currently, I serve as Head of Library Collections at the University of St Andrews, where I lead strategic initiatives to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and sustainability of our collections. I’ve previously held senior roles at the University of Glasgow and was project manager and technical director of the Universal Short Title Catalogue — a global bibliographic initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation and AHRC.

My Approach

What unites my work is a commitment to digital transformation that honors cultural complexity, to human-centered design in research infrastructure, and to data-driven storytelling that breathes life into collections. Whether I’m designing new metadata systems, curating public exhibitions, or advising on AI strategy, I’m driven by a passion for creating tools and experiences that bridge the gap between scholarship and society.

Research and Scholarship

I hold a PhD in the History of the Book, where I investigated the French book trade during the Reformation. Since then,  I’ve published widely on the history of books and print culture, and supervised postgraduate research in this field. I regularly speak at academic and professional conferences, and have run workshops and masterclasses on topics ranging from historical data visualization to ethical AI in GLAM institutions.

Engaging Practice

I collaborate with start-ups and public institutions to push the boundaries of heritage tech. I’m part of several steering groups and advisory boards, and I am currently contributing to projects focused on automated metadata, visual search, and the use of IIIF in global collections.

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Humanities & Cultural Analytics
  • AI & Machine Learning in Libraries
  • Historical Bibliography & Early Modern Print Culture
  • Metadata Strategy & Discovery Systems
  • Data Visualization & UX for Heritage
  • Project Leadership & Institutional Strategy