Mike Towler
Contact Details
Feedback and Support Hours
Please email me to make an appointment.
My Bio
I am interested in using models for thinking, and occasionally, understanding. The model may be statistical, a simplification of a presumed reality, a conceptual abstraction or an organizational metaphor.
Symmetry was a unifying lens of my early-career R&D in liquid crystal physics and display technology, be this the effect of the symmetry of a phase on intensive properties, the symmetry of a device structure on its behaviour, or the interplay of the two. From management my interest in both systematic and systemic decision making grew, eventually morphing into an interest in learning.
My qualifications include a B.A., a B.Sc., an M.B.A., a Ph.D., and a P.G.Cert. Learning and Teaching (HE).
My Erdös number is, a fairly typical, six.
Modules Taught
FP012 Applied Economics
FP014 Business Mathematics and Statistics
Publications
Books
Towler, M. and Keast S. (2009) Rational Decision Making for Managers: An Introduction. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons
Periodicals, Journals and Conferences (Learning)
Acosta, E., Roper, N., and Towler, M. (2014) ‘Appropriate apps for advanced maths’ New Zealand Interface. Issue 60 December, pp 30-31.
Towler, M., Lean, J. and Moizer J.D. (2009) ‘An Exploration of Student Perception of a Business Simulation Game’ International Journal of Management Education. Vol.7, No. 2, pp69-79.
Moizer, J.D., Lean, J., Towler, M. and Abbey, C. (2009) ‘Simulations and Games: Overcoming the Barriers to their Use in Higher Education’ Active Learning in Higher Education. Vol.10, No.3, pp207-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787409343188
Moizer, J.D., Lean, J. and Towler, M. (2007) ‘Using Causal Loop Diagramming to Represent the Factors Affecting Learning for Students Using a Business Simulation Game’ ESIC Market, Vol. 123, No. 2, pp.161-177.
Moizer, J.D., Lean, J., Towler, M. and Abbey, C. (2006) ‘Simulations and Games: Use and Barriers in Higher Education’ Active Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp227-242. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1469787406069056
Moizer, J.D., Lean, J., Towler, M. and Smith, G. (2006) ‘Modes of Learning in the Use of a Computer-Based Business Simulation Game’ International Journal of Learning Technology, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp49-61. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijlt.2006.008692
Moizer, J.D., Lean J., Smith, G. and Towler M. (2004) 'Experiences of Using a Business Strategy Simulation: Lessons for Promoting Effective Learning' International Journal of Management Education, Vol. 4, No 1, pp19-28.
Guttilla, R., Sainter, P. and Towler, M. (2006) ‘Fostering Critical Thinking in Undergraduates: An Experience with Argument Mapping’ HEA Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance Conference, Oxford.
Lean, J., Moizer, J.D., Towler, M. and Abbey, C. (2005) ‘The Use of Simulation and Gaming for Teaching and Learning’ Developments in Economics and Business Education Conference, Cambridge, UK, Sep 2005.
Journals and Conferences (Management)
Towler, M. and Moizer, J.D. (2010) ‘Determining R&D Intensity under Different Market Conditions’ International Journal of Revenue Management, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp.22-41. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijrm.2010.030029
Towler, M. and Moizer J.D. (2008) ‘The R&D Funding Decision: the Need for a Systemic Approach’ International Journal of Management and Decision Making. Vol. 9, No.4, pp402-414. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijmdm.2008.019363
Moizer, J.D. and Towler, M. (2007) ‘Research and Development Resourcing when Faced with Fundamental Market Dynamics’ International Journal of Business Performance Management, Vol. 9, No.4, pp434-452. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijbpm.2007.013364
Moizer, J.D. and Towler, M. (2003) ‘Ideas for Using System Dynamics Modelling for Research and Development’ OR45 Annual Conference, Keele, UK, Sep 2003.
Towler, M.J. and Moizer, J.D. (2003) ‘The R&D Funding Decision: Comparing the System Dynamics Approach with Conventional Approaches’ The R&D Management Conference, Manchester, UK July 2003.
Journals and Conferences (Technology)
Acosta, E.J., Bonnett, P. and Towler, M.J. (2006) ‘Storage Addressing Scheme for the Bistable Twisted Nematic Mode’ Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 45, No. 1A, pp173-178. https://doi.org/10.1143/jjap.45.173
Acosta, E.J., Towler, M.J. and Smith, N. (2006) ‘Isolation techniques for long-term bistability of the bistable twisted nematic mode’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp249-256. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678290600583524
Acosta, E.J., Towler, M.J. and Tillin, M.D. (2005) ‘Route towards optimization of the response times of a pi-cell liquid-crystal mode’ Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 97, Issue 9, Art. 093106. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1888047
Acosta, E. J., Henley, B., Kean, D., Tillin, M., Tombling, C., Towler, M., Walton, E., Walton, H. and Winlow, R. (2004) ‘Nucleation of the pi-cell operating state: a comparison of techniques’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 31, No. 12, pp1619-1625. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678290412331315968
Mottram, N.J., Sluckin, T.J., Elston, S.J., and Towler, M.J. (2000) ‘Periodic layer slipping in a sheared smectic A cell’ Molecular Crystal and Liquid Crystals, Vol. 347, pp423. https://doi.org/10.1080/10587250008024839
Mottram, N.J., Sluckin, T.J., Elston, S.J., and Towler, M.J. (2000) ‘Shear Induced Melting of smectic-A liquid crystals’ Physical Review E, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp5064. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.62.5064
Walton, H.G. and Towler, M.J. (2000) ‘On the response speed of pi-cells’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 27, No. 10, pp1329. https://doi.org/10.1080/026782900423386
Acosta, E.J., Towler, M.J. and Walton, HG. (2000) ‘The role of surface tilt in the operation of pi-cell liquid crystal devices’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 27, No. 7, pp997. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678290050043932
Walton, H.G. and Towler, M.J. (2000). ‘Nematic director configurations in high pretilt, parallel aligned cells’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp157.
https://doi.org/10.1080/026782900202912
Brown, C.V., Towler, M.J., Hui, V.C. and Bryan-Brown, G.P. (2000) ‘Numerical analysis of nematic liquid crystal alignment on asymmetric surface grating structures’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp232. https://doi.org/10.1080/026782900203038
Towler, M.J., Ulrich, D.C., Stewart, I.W., Walton, H.G. and Gass, P. (2000) ‘Permeative flow and the compatibility of smectic C zig-zag defects with compressive and dilative regions’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp75. https://doi.org/10.1080/026782900203245
Beynon, E., Saynor, K., Tillin, M. and Towler, M.J. (1999) ‘Single-polariser reflective twisted nematics’ Journal of the Society for Information Display, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp71. https://doi.org/10.1889/1.1985274
Elston, S.J., Towler, M.J. (1998) ‘Shear Induced Melting of Smectic A Liquid Crystals’ Physical Review E, Vol. 57, No. 6, pp6706.
Towler, M.J., Walton, H.G., Stewart, I.W. (1998) ‘Important Physical Properties of Smectic Liquid Crystals’ Liquid Crystals Today. https://doi.org/10.1080/13583149808047692
Islam, N., Elston, S. and Towler, M.J. (1998) ‘Characterisation of free standing chiral smectic C ferroelectric liquid crystal films’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 214, No. 1-2, pp683.
Towler, M.J. (1997) ‘Future LC Technologies’ Sharp Technical Journal, Vol. 69, pp41.
Koden, M., Miyoshi, S., Shigeta, M., Nonomura, K., Sugino, M., Numao T., Katsuse, H., Tagawa, A., Kawabata, Y., Gass, P.A., Towler, M.J., Raynes, E.P., Jones, J.C., Brown, C.V., Hughes, J.R., Graham, A., Bradshaw, M.J. and McDonnell, D.G. (1997) ‘Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display’ Sharp Technical Journal, Vol. 69, pp47.
Blake, G.I., Leslie, F.M., and Towler, M.J. (1997) ‘Switching and Induced Flow Effects in Chiral Smectic C Liquid Crystals’ Euro. Journal of Applied Mathematics, Vol. 8, pp263.
Walton, H.G., Stewart, I.W., and Towler, M.J. (1996) ‘Flow Past Obstacles in Smectic Liquid Crystals - Permeative Flow-Induced Sa to Sc Phase Transition’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 20, No. 5, pp665. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678299608031157
Ruan, L., Sambles, J.R. and Towler, M.J. (1995) ‘The Effect of An Electric Field on a Homeotropically Aligned Smectic C Liquid Crystal’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp81. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678299508036594
Jandt, K.D., Tixier, S., Towler, M.J., Blackmore, J.M., and Miles, M.J. (1995) ‘Observation of Phase-Transitions in an Antiferroelectric Liquid-Crystal Investigated by Scanning-Tunnelling-Microscopy’ Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 77, No. 1, pp122. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.359378
Waterworth, T.F., Phillips, T.J., Towler, M.J., Sage, I.C., and Crowther, H.M. (1995) ‘On the Measurement of Switching Parameters of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Devices: A New Method for Material Assessment’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 165, pp271. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150199508228307
Jones, J.C., Towler, M.J, and Hughes, J.R. (1993) ‘Fast, High-Contrast Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Displays and the Role of Dielectric Biaxiality’ Displays, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp86. https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-9382(93)90075-g
Towler, M.J., Jones, J.C., and Raynes, E.P. (1992) ‘The Effect of the Biaxial Permittivity Tensor and Tilted Layer Geometries on the Switching of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp365. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678299208028995
Jones, J.C., Raynes, E.P., Towler, M.J., and Sambles, J.R. (1991) ‘Dielectric Biaxiality in Sc Host Systems’ Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol. 199, pp277. https://doi.org/10.1080/00268949108030939
Surguy, P.W.H, Ayliffe, P.J., Birch, M.J., Bone, M.F., Coulson, I., Crossland, W.A., Hughes, J.R., Saunders, F.C., and Towler, M.J. (1991) ‘The JOERS-Alvey Ferroelectric Multiplexing Scheme’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 122, No. 1-4, pp63. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150199108226029
Towler, M.J., Anderson, M.H., Jones, J.C. and Raynes, E.P. (1991) ‘Optical Studies of Thin Layers of Smectic C Materials’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 121, No. 1-4, pp137. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150199108217617
Jones, J.C., Towler, M.J., and Raynes, E.P. (1991) ‘The Importance of Dielectric Biaxiality for Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Devices’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 121, No. 1-4, p91. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150199108217613
Anderson, M.H., Jones, J.C., Raynes, E.P., and Towler, M.J. (1991) ‘Optical Studies of High Tilt SiO Aligned Thin-Layers of Smectic C Materials’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp439. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678299108026290
Towler, M.J., Hughes, J.R. and Saunders, F.C. (1991) ‘Switching Behaviour of Sc* Liquid Crystals’ Ferroelectrics, Vol. 113, No. 1-4, pp453. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150199108014081
Anderson, M.H., Jones, J.C., Raynes, E.P. and Towler M.J. (1991) ‘Optical Studies of Thin-Layers of Smectic C Materials’ Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp338. https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/24/3/016
Saunders, F.C., Hughes, J.R., Pedlingham, H.A. and Towler, M.J. (1989) ‘Electro-Optic Pulse Response of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals’ Liquid Crystals, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp341. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678298908029085
Towler, M.J. and Raynes, E.P. (2002) ‘A 1 Millisecond Switching Liquid Crystal Display’ Proceedings of the 22nd International Display Research Conference, Nice, France, 1-4 October 2002, pp877-880.
Towler, M.J., Bonnett, P. and Ulrich, D.C. (1998) ‘Effective Utilisation of Analogue and Digital Greyscale in Ferroelectric LCDs’. Proceedings of the 18th International Display Research Conference, Seoul, Korea, 28 September - 1 October 1998, pp839.
Towler, M.J., Bonnett, P. and Ulrich, D.C. (1998) ‘Improving Digital FLC Performance using Reduced Blanking Double Line Addressing’ Proceedings of the 18th International Display Research Conference, Seoul, Korea, 28 September - 1 October 1998, pp843.
Ulrich, D.C., Towler, M.J., Bonnett, P. And Kabe, M. (1998) ‘Improving FLC Greylevel Accuracy using Ion Doping’ Proceedings of the 18th International Display Research Conference, Seoul, Korea, 28 September - 1 October 1998, pp835.
Towler, M.J. and Tillin, M.D. (1998) ‘Self-Achromatising Nematic Liquid Crystal Displays’ 17th International Liquid Crystal Conference, Strasbourg, France, 19-24 July 1998.
Tillin, M.D., Towler, M.J., Saynor, K.S. and Beynon, E.J. (1998) ‘Reflective Single Polariser Low and High-Twist LCDs’ SID International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, California, US, Vol. 29, pp311. https://doi.org/10.1889/1.1833755
Koden, M., Miyoshi, S., Shigeta, M., Nonomura, K., Sugino, M., Numao T., Katsuse, H., Tagawa, A., Kawabata, Y., Gass, P.A., Towler, M.J., Raynes, E.P., Bradshaw, M.J., Brown, C.V., Hughes, J.R., Haslam, S.D., Graham, A., Jones, J.C., and McDonnell, D.G. (1997) ‘Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display’ Proceedings on International Display Workshop, Nagoya, Japan.
Bradshaw, M.J., Brown, C.V., Hughes, J.R., Haslam, S.D., Graham, A., Jones, J.C., McDonnell, D.G., Katsuse, H., Kawabata, Y., Koden, M., Miyoshi, S., Nonomura, K., Numao, T., Shigeta, M., Sugino, M., Tagawa, A., Gass, P.A., Raynes, E.P, and Towler, M.J. (1997) ‘Key Technologies for tVmin Ferroelectric LCDs’ Proceedings on International Display Workshop, Nagoya, Japan, L16.
Beynon, E.J., Saynor, K., Tillin, M.D., and Towler, M.J. (1997) ‘Single Polariser Reflective Twisted Nematics’. Proceedings of the 17th International Display Research Conference, Toronto, Canada, L34.
Gass, P.A., Towler, M.J., Shigeta, M., Tamai, K., Uchida, H., Dunn, P.E., Haslam, S.D., and Jones, J.C. (1997) ‘Ferroelectric LCD Mechanical Stability, Setting and Achieving Realistic Targets’ Proceedings of the 17th International Display Research Conference, Toronto, Canada, L28.
Bonnett, P., Towler, M.J., Kishimoto, K., Tagawa, A., and Uchida., H (1997) ‘Limitations and Performance of MTM Gray-Scale for FLCs’ Proceedings of the 17th International Display Research Conference, Toronto, Canada, L46.
Bonnett, P., Raynes, E.P., Towler, M.J., Walton, H.G., Shigeta, M., Tagawa, A., Okamoto, S., Hughes, J.R., Scattergood, D. (1997) ‘Heating and Temperature Distribution Effects and Solutions in Large-Area FLC Panels’ Proceedings of the 17th International Display Research Conference, Toronto, Canada, L48.
Bryan-Brown, G.P, Towler, M.J, Bancroft, M.S. and McDonnell, D.G. (1994) ‘Bistable Nematic Alignment Using Bigratings’ Proceedings of the 14th International Display Research Conference, pp209.
Towler, M.J., and Jones, J.C. (1993) ‘Modelling the Switching Time-Voltage Characteristics of Ferroelectrics Operating in the tV Mode’ Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Conference, Book of Abstracts, Tokyo, Japan, pp403.
Bancroft, M.S., Jones, J.C. and Towler, M.J (1993) ‘Dynamic Light Scattering Studies of Smectic C Liquid Crystals’ Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Conference, Book of Abstracts Book of Abstracts, Tokyo, Japan, pp227.
Jones, J.C., Anderson, M.H., Towler, M.J. (1993) ‘The Effect of Ferroelectricity on the Director Profile in Thin Smectic C Liquid Crystals’ Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Conference, Book of Abstracts Book of Abstracts, Tokyo, Japan, pp171.