Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts is an academic and Associate Head (Global Engagement and Educational Partnerships) at the School of Film, Media and Creative Technologies, University of Portsmouth. He has extensive professional experience in television post-production and is an Avid Certified Instructor, integrating industry standards into higher education. His work bridges academia and industry through live broadcasting, digital archiving, and collaborative educational initiatives.

• Master of Science in Creative and Professional Practice, University of Portsmouth (2013)
• PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Portsmouth (2005)
• BA (Hons) in Media Communications, University of Portsmouth (1996)
• SFHEA, Advance HE (2022)

His research interests focus on innovative pedagogical tools such as web decision trees, holistic approaches to industry-higher education collaboration, live broadcasting transmission, and digital archiving through media creation. He emphasizes practical learning and real-world application in media education.

The recent publications and projects highlight a strong trend in community engagement, heritage preservation (especially through the Mary Rose Trust), live event broadcasting, and the integration of professional media practices into academic settings. His work consistently blends technological innovation with educational and cultural impact.

Awarded multiple honors including NewTek National Awards (2018, 2019), a VC Award (2020), and HEIF Award (2025), Charlie Watts has been recognized for excellence in teaching, student projects, and civic engagement. His contributions have advanced both academic practice and public-facing media initiatives.

He actively supervises and mentors students through project leadership and industry collaborations. His funded projects, such as the Mary Rose media digitisation and live broadcasts with public institutions, demonstrate sustained external funding and partnership development. These efforts enhance student learning and institutional visibility.

Charlie Watts leads initiatives such as the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation and collaborates with broadcasters, museums, and libraries. His teams engage in live OB productions, archival digitisation, and community media projects, fostering interdisciplinary and inter-institutional networks.