Austin completed his PhD in the Theoretical Physics of Vortex Matter in 2018 with the Theoretical Physics Group at the University of Birmingham. His research focused on the structure and dynamics of two-dimensional systems of repulsive vortices that appear in type-II superconductors.
Austin rejoined the University of Birmingham in 2020 as a teaching focused lecturer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials. He is the Head of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Year, also leading the mathematics and computer programming provision which progresses students onto undergraduate degrees within the college. He is the Academic Integrity Officer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials and upholds academic integrity standards in the school and the wider college.
Austin is interested in Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) systems and how they can be implemented, at scale, to improve engagement and outcomes for students and save time for educators. He is a co-founder of Graide, a digital assessment technology that optimises grading workflow by learning how assessors mark students’ work and automatically suggests feedback, saving time and effort while maintaining high standards of feedback.