My key research work is in analogue electronics specifically the design and development of novel electronic circuit designs, this is often coupled into different areas of research in visible light communication and power electronics.  Design and implementation of electronics for visible light communication driver design, and in the analysis of LiPo battery charging design has led to several successful PhD students awards.

One key aspect of my research is engaging students both undergrad and postgraduate in research, with several students starting on a research journey from their respective project work.

Dr Richard Binns serves as the Deputy Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and an Associate Professor at Northumbria University. In this strategic leadership role, he is responsible for the educational portfolio across all five departments within the faculty. This includes oversight of approximately 44 undergraduate programmes, 20 postgraduate programmes, degree apprenticeships, and distance learning provision. He also leads the management of around 20 professional body accreditations, primarily within the UK, with some international reach.

Dr Binns holds a BEng in Electronic and Information Engineering (1993) and a PhD in Analogue Test Strategies (1997), both from the University of Huddersfield. He joined Northumbria University in 2001 as part of an EPSRC-funded postdoctoral research initiative focused on analogue synthesis tool development, in collaboration with Ericsson Components and Cadence Design Systems.

His research portfolio is broad, unified by a core expertise in analogue electronic design. His work contributes to several advanced technological domains, including gigabit laser satellite communication terminals, visible light communication systems, energy management for electric vehicles, radiation detection technologies for personal dosimetry, and power control system development.