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David Strafford is an experienced event professional, with nearly 25 years in the events industry. He is the cofounder of the experiential events marketing agency Hopper who design and deliver events and brand activations for the likes of CBBC, C-Beebies, Radio 1, Aldi, Disney on Ice, Affinity Water, Nivea and many more.

He has a Masters degree in Events and Conference Management and has passed the PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, and has taught a range of subjects at UG and PG level in the UK and internationally. He has previously worked in the music and late-night entertainments industries, and has managed nightclub venues, live music venues as well as promoting his own club nights and gigs.

Four of David's career highlights

  • David was a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University for nearly 10 years, where he won six consecutive Sheffield Business School and two university-wide Sheffield Hallam University Inspirational Teaching Awards.
  • He has had two book chapters published; and an academic journal article published entitled “Enlivenment and the Gruffalo: the unfolding story of events in destination shopping centres”.
  • He is a Technical Member of IOSH, having gained a distinction in the NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety. He has written and regularly delivers his own “Working Safely at Events” one-day IOSH training course.
  • He was responsible for the entire events programme at the UK’s number one Students’ Union at the University of Sheffield for 11 years, which included managing the award-winning underground midweek clubnight The Tuesday Club www.tuesday-club.co.uk

A little advice?

I started my masters degree aged 35, working full time and after a 14 year gap from education. It was daunting at first but I soon got to grips with the reading, researching and referencing side of things. Don’t give up, even if it seems overwhelming at first, getting a Masters is one of my proudest achievements and all the hard work is worth it in the end I promise! Just keep going, and take it step by step. Also – the library staff are amazing and I would encourage students to ask for their help, if they are stuck.