Mr Johnny Fill (he/him)

I joined MEE in June 2023, moving to Sheffield in the middle of a prolonged heatwave so that it felt more like I’d moved to the Mediterranean! My role is to provide top-quality technical support to the Electronics and Control laboratory here at the Diamond. Prior to this, I worked as a Teaching Technician at the University of Oxford’s Physics Teaching Laboratories, where among other duties I had responsibility for the Electronics Laboratory.

I completed my Physics MPhys degree at the University of Sussex, where my thesis was on the development of novel techniques for making electrical contact to individual titanium dioxide nanotubes. My supervisor taught me how to solder, and I was hooked! I developed an odd sideline in making guitar effects pedals out of components salvaged from discarded lab equipment, and sold a few of these to local bands in Brighton… 

After this I worked in Oxford on silicon gettering techniques, and fluorescence spectroscopy of semiconductor nanoparticles. Later work as a research assistant at the Oxford Learning Institute on an international project identifying “threshold concepts” in Engineering Science, via interviews with students and educators, sparked my interest in the study of learning and teaching. 

I also worked at the Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, a charity which provides a public-access bicycle workshop and training on bike repair/maintenance, where I was the Workshop Administrator and qualified as a City & Guilds Level 3 Cycle Mechanic. I taught workshops and short courses, while developing my own skills and understanding of the diversity of ways in which people can learn technical skills and concepts. 

This winding road has led me to the beautiful city of Sheffield, where I am looking forward to stepping up to the challenge of supporting our wonderful colleagues and students. I hope to achieve RSciTech registration, and I’m keen to support the development of the teaching of sustainable engineering practices and renewable energy technologies. I’m also looking forward to getting out there and cycling in the stunning countryside, and playing guitar at some of the city’s open mic nights.