Dr Ashley Towers

I am currently a University Teacher in Dental Skills Simulation & Informatics in the School of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Health.

After previous roles in industry and local government, I joined the University in 2011 as a Research Software Engineer, leading the development of the University of Sheffield’s highly regarded Clinical Portfolio System. In 2016 I progressed to split my time with an academic role before transitioning to my current University Teacher role on a full time basis in 2023. Presently, I am a teacher and researcher in Virtual Reality Dental Simulation, I am School lead for VR Simulation and continue to guide the ongoing development of the Dentistry Portfolio and Dentistry ATS systems.

I have authored numerous highly influential publications describing innovations in the use of VR for dental education. My PhD and ongoing research explore how Virtual Reality can be used to its greatest effect in the pre-clinical environment and I have guided the development of Sheffield’s integrated approach to the use of VR in the undergraduate curriculum.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and actively support enhancing teaching practice across the School. I have established the Dental Teaching Recognition Support (DenTRS) scheme providing guidance and support to colleagues wishing to achieve HEA recognition via the University’s LTPRS scheme.