DANIEL J. CONNELL

A visionary Senior Academic Leader and Digital Innovation specialist with over 25 years of dual-sector expertise across Higher Education, Further Education, and global aviation training. I specialise in designing inclusive Learning Success frameworks that bridge the “reading and participation gap” for international, mature, and neurodivergent students.

I am a pioneer in the strategic integration of Generative AI and Assistive Technologies (including NotebookLM, Scholarly, and Zotero), creating multimodal learning environments that enable time-poor students to balance academic excellence with complex life and work commitments. As a current PSRB Lead, I combine high-level regulatory compliance with a strong 'Safety Net' philosophy—using data-informed interventions to enhance retention, progression, and student attainment.

Alongside senior academic leadership, I have consistently embedded academic skills development—including academic writing, referencing, critical thinking, digital literacy, academic integrity, and effective study strategies into programme delivery, staff mentoring, and student support across Levels 3–7. This dual expertise positions me strongly for senior roles overseeing Academic Skills Tutors and institutional learning development provision.

• Best Newcomer Award – South Essex College, Peer-nominated for impactful leadership and strategic staff support.
• Spotlight on Great Teaching – University College Birmingham, Nominated by 500+ students for inspirational academic guidance.
• Strategic Academic Success, Supervisor of national award-winning postgraduate dissertations (Tourism Management Institute TMI & Institute of Travel & Tourism ITT).

• Connell, D. (2025). The impact of shift patterns on aviation staff well-being. (In press).
• Connell, D. (2021). Integrating human factors into airline crew resource management training. Journal of Air Transport Studies.
• Connell, D. (2020). Using technology to enhance teaching effectiveness in real time. Future You Conference.

• External Examiner: MBA Aviation Management, Emirates Aviation University (2017–2021).
• External Research Consultant Lead: Gulf Air Safety Management System Update, Bahrain (2023).
• Validation Panel Member: Expert reviewer for UK higher education institutions.

• Training & Operations Leadership (Emirates, CityJet, Srilankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and others).
• Led industry focussed research teams and delivered regulatory training programmes across the UAE, Australia, and Egypt.
• Developed a 'leadership by influence' model now applied within HE staff management and mentoring contexts.