John graduated from the University of Ulster at Coleraine in 2009 with a BSc degree in Business with Computing. Whilst studying John completed a year long placement at West Virginia University in America where he studied International Business leading to the award of a Diploma in Area Studies.

In 2010 John received an MSc in Business Development and Innovation from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. John’s thesis for this MSc course was entitled “A Study to evaluate the effectiveness of Facebook as a marketing platform for Business” for which he received a distinction.

Before undertaking his PhD John was employed for three years as a Project Manager for NICO, a not for profit company dealing with the International Development of Public Sectors. In this role John gained extensive international experience working with counterparts from various countries around the world and successfully managed various projects worth several million euros.

John came to the University to study a PhD to further his study into the social media industry along with a golden opportunity to begin a career as academic. As a former graduate of the University of Ulster it was the logical place for him to come and study for his PhD.

John’s study looks at Market Driving Idea Sets within the Social Media Industry, something which he has always had an interest in ever since social media became a prominent marketing tool for businesses. Although only in the first year of his study John feels that he made the correct decision in coming back to the University to study for a PhD. John firmly believes that the discipline needed for a PhD, the uniqueness of his topic and the training provided by the University will only seek to help his future career whether it be in academia or outside it.