Dr. Henry Thomas
PhD, BA Visual ArtsAcademic Casual
School of Education and the Arts
05 - G.06
I’m a creative technologist blending engineering, design, and online marketing to build impactful customer centred solutions. My career has been a journey of exploration and innovation, spanning the creative world of film and animation to the cutting edge of Silicon Valley technology and the practical challenges of crowd funded product fulfilment. I began as a commissioned filmmaker, PC game artist, and freelance journalist for PC magazines. My time in California saw me founding companies, securing venture capital, and developing expertise in software engineering and business leadership. Returning to Australia, I applied this experience to a doctoral research project focused on technology adoption in sugarcane farming, demonstrating the power of visual communication to drive positive change. Since then, I've focused on bringing physical products to market, leading design, manufacturing, and assembly processes, often in international settings. I’m proficient in mechanical design, finite element analysis, and have a proven track record of securing patents and successfully launching products with crowd funding through Kickstarter. Throughout these diverse roles, I've consistently excelled at bridging communication gaps, fostering collaboration, and translating complex ideas into compelling marketing narratives. My passion lies in fostering innovation and empowering others – I'm excited to leverage my unique skillset to contribute to CQU's mission of developing the next generation of digital media professionals.
Background
Early in my career, I built a foundation in software engineering and content delivery, founding companies focused on high-performance computing and innovative internet services. My entrepreneurial journey led me to invent, design, prototype, and manufacture a wide range of physical products, including specialised sporting equipment including the Run4 Bionic Runner, the Viberide Skateboard Brake and Scullr GPS rowing computer. These ventures consistently involved leading the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualisation and design, through manufacturing (often with international sourcing and assembly management in China), to online marketing and sales including crowd funding campaigns. My strength is 3D modelling and mechanical simulation along with schematic capture, low level systems programming and firmware development for consumer electronics projects. I have a quick eye for street photography and 'run and gun' documentary making. Applying these skills in my PhD research I investigated behavioural mechanisms using video mediated farmer-to-farmer learning to trigger innovation uptake. Throughout my career, I’m particularly proud of my ability to apply technical expertise to address real-world challenges. A maker at heart, I actively pursue personal projects, sharing knowledge and contributing to open-source communities. I have combined engineering skill with creative vision to a diverse range of online content demonstrating expertise and a passion for invention with a proven track record in both technical leadership and project management, combined with a commitment to collaborative problem-solving.
Universities Studied At
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Southern Queensland, 2011: 'Diffusion of innovation through video mediated social networks: influencing sugar cane farming practices applying evidence-of-adoption strategies'
Bachelors Degree in Visual Arts, NSW Institute of the Arts (formerly, City Art Institute), 1989 - Major in film and animation
Media Citations
PATENTS
Thomas W H P, Modular skateboard brake, WO 2024/043987 A1, Assignee: VibeRide Inventions Llc
Perronet W H, A skateboard truck, WO 2019/165493 A1, Assignee: StreetBoardz Pty Ltd (filed under my middle name)
Thomas W H & Cranitch S P, Drive assembly and exercise apparatus including a drive assembly, WO 2013/120126 A1, Assignee: Run4 Pty Ltd
PUBLICATIONS
Thomas, W H P and Cranitch, S, 2013, ‘Use of an asymmetric ovate footpath to overcome the mechanical constraints imposed by non-impact cross-training devices in high-intensity exercise’, Sports Technology, vol. 6, no.3, pp. 150–158. DOI: 10.1080/19346182.2013.854797
Thomas, W H P, 2011, ‘Video mediated social networks: a future adoption pathway for the Australian sugar industry?’, Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, vol. 33, viewed 13 December 2024, https://www.assct.com.au
Thomas, W H P, 2010, ‘Video mediated social networking: a case of how this occurred in the Australian sugar industry’, Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, vol. 32, pp. 497-506, viewed 13 December 2024, https://www.assct.com.au
Thomas, W H P, 2009, ‘Online shedmeetings: experiences producing video webcasts that showcase sugar industry best practice’, Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, vol. 31, pp. 240-249, viewed 13 December 2024, https://www.assct.com.au
Thomas H, 2009, ‘Facilitating ad-hoc abstraction to improve end-user programmed decision support tools’, IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, pp. 1-6. DOI: 10.1109/ICIT.2009.4939691
Screen and digital media - Digital and electronic media art
Parasocial relationship marketing in the attention economy.
Curriculum and Pedagogy - Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy
Video mediated social networking content as transformational learning machines.