Born in Wales, Phil Sheil earned a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary, Canada. Prior to his academic career, he worked in London as a designer/visualizer. At AUS Sheil has taught various level courses in many subjects, including illustration, painting, drawing, software, media industry, design studio and foundation design, as well as served as the director of the foundations program and chair of the design department. His research area is paintings (acrylic on canvas) and digital imaging.