About

I am Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist, and Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Computer Science department at Durham University, UK. From Spring 2023 I will be Vice President of the British Computer Society and President from Spring 2024.

SAVINGBLETCHLEYPARK

At Durham University I lead the pioneering TechUPWomen programme retraining women from underserved communities into technology careers. I’m also an internationally known, multi award-winning, technology evangelist, inspiring speaker and media figure who is well known for championing Women in Computing, promoting women in STEM and running the successful campaign to save Bletchley Park in 2011.

In 1998 I set up the UK’s first online network for women in computing BCSWomen and in 2012 a social enterprise #techmums to help disadvantaged mums learn tech skills in a fun and supportive environment.

My first book Saving Bletchley Park about the successful campaign that I led to save Bletchley Park from 2008-2011 was the fastest crowdfunded book EVER and now has 60+ five star reviews on Amazon 

Sue is a phenomenon: she brings to life social media and IT 

Lucian J. Hudson, Director of Communications, The Open University

100momentsWell connected and networked in the tech world I regularly keynote large corporate events, conferences and leadership events.  I also appear on radio and television to comment on technology issues, and recently fulfilled her lifelong dream of appearing on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs”.

In 2021 I co-created and the “100 moments that rocked computer science!” to great acclaim. #100moments achieved a chart-topping 5th highest in the Apple technology podcast charts in 2021.

One of the most inspiring people I’ve met in a long time 

Lynette Webb, Senior Manager, External Relations at Google

obe

Awarded an OBE by King Charles for “Services to technology” in 2016, I have written many articles evangelizing about technology, over forty academic computer science papers. I’m currently working on a coding book to be published by Penguin in 2024.

Board Trustee for Comic Relief and Digital Ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education I have spent much of my career helping people and organisations to realise the amazing opportunities and potential that technology can bring from refugee mums on welfare through to the UK Prime Minister.

Recent awards and recognition

  • Diversity Powerlist Top 100 2022
  • Les Margarets – European Intrapreneur of the year 2022
  • British Airways #BA100 – Top 100 Britons 2019
  • Inducted into the British Interactive Media Awards Hall of Fame 2018
  • University of London + Royal College of Art + University of Kent honorary DScs 2018
  • Grace Hopper conference ABIE Social Impact award 2017
  • Inspiring 50 – most inspiring women in European Technology 2016 + 2017
  • OBE – presented by King Charles for Services to Technology 2016

75 comments

  1. Hi Sue,

    I’m a student a journalism student at Falmouth Universty. I’m currently creating a magazine for women in tech and would love to get an interview from you for a feature in it. My team decided to create this magazine as a platform for women in the tech industry as we feel that the magazines currently available are very male orientated. Having an interview from some of your experience would be amazing. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Alex Guy

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      1. Hi Sue,
        I am a Volunteer in the Collections Dept, and Steward at Bletchley Park and have spent quite a bit of time during the Covid lock-downs browsing, reading blogs and various books and listening to podcasts about all things Bletchley Park. I am currently reading your book about Saving Bletchley Park which is great for a lot of background information. You mention Brian Oakley and his book ” The Bletchley Park War Diaries” a few times. I have been trying to get a copy with no luck. Any thoughts or suggestions about how I might track down a copy? ….And coincidentally, I also went to infants school in Chandlers Ford – Kings Road Primary (in the late 1950s, a bit before your time, I think!) – if that rings any bells??!!

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      2. Hiya, sorry I’ve just seen your comment, apologies for the delay in responding. How cool you went to school in Chandlers Ford also 🤩👍🏽
        I don’t think Brian wrote a book, he wrote down month by month what happened at Bletchley Park and what the related happenings were concerning what happened during the war. Bletchley Park I think published them on the website month by month. My memory of it is fuzzy now sorry as it’s a decade ago. I hope you are enjoying my book?

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  3. Listening to Desert Island Discs and felt the need to thank you for instigating the saving of Bletchley park, and the work you do in technology. Excellent playlist by the way

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  4. I found your life very interesting this morning and was convinced your were black. Not that this is important but I’m very rarely fooled.

    Thank you shearing with me your life and great music.

    Michael (west Indies) parents

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  5. I found your life very interesting this morning and was convinced your were black. Not that this is important but I’m very rarely fooled.

    Thank you shearing with me your life and great music.

    Michael (west Indies) parents

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  6. I heard you on Desert Island Discs today and found you engaging, funny and inspiring. I also loved the playlist..! I’ve signed up for techmums as I want to help my 10 year old daughter protect herself online as she grows up and am a VERY late adopter with social media-wise – no facebook, twiitter or anything… Looking forward to getting more on top of all this and guiding her in making use of and enjoying tech – and not getting into bother. Thanks. Oh, and at the risk of crawling right up your bum, well done for saving Bletchley. That whole enterprise makes me very proud to be British (at a time when this can be difficult) – another good reminder is the charming telly prog The Detectorists..! Do check it out if you’ve missed it…

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  7. Good Afternoon Sue,

    My name is Cherry.
    I am a mature (very mature) online student.
    I love, love. love computing, but came to it late.
    My main stumbling block to moving forward is my poor grasp of maths.
    A subject I have avoided since leaving school many moons ago.
    Because of this I dropped out of my Open University computing course near the end of the first term. I managed to get 82% for my first assignment, mainly because there was nothing maths related in it.
    I fear I will not be able to progress without maths in a subject I love.
    Is there any hope?

    Thank you
    Cherry

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      1. Hi Sue,

        I would have to recoup my old assignments to get the official maths names.
        But basically any thing numerical and I’m in trouble.
        I continue trying to educate myself from free online courses though.
        Thanks for your encouragement.
        Cherry

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    3. Hi Cherry,
      Try khanacademy.org for your maths. Start as early as you feel you need. Many people who think they are poor at maths just got a bit lost when something wasn’t well explained. unfortunately the sequential nature of a lot of school maths means that kids can’t really progress beyond the point where they ‘lost it’. They get left behind and get labelled (and self labelled) ‘not good at maths’. With the right support at the time they could often overcome this quite easily. Without support they make little progress with maths or subjects that need maths. Give it another go. You might surprise yourself!

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    4. Hi Cherry, I’m 61 and though I have been in computing for eons (since age 22), let me assure you that you don’t really need Maths genius to excel. As with many things, it’s that first job…You really are never too old. You are likely to live into your 80s or longer, and this stuff will keep your brain healthier!

      There are disciplines of computing like User Interface design that are more psychological (Human factors) but mainly, software requires you to think logically. If I gave you a commonplace problem, could you break it down? Are you interested in cyber security? There’s also Software Testing and Quality…I like to say that if you have a law enforcement mindset, you’ll like Quality because you’re testing and checking to make sure people followed the rules.

      Are you able to do something like a bootcamp where you don’t have to take traditional courses? Scholarships are often available for these (if you have a job that you depend on for money…) As an older woman, you also bring certain valuable skills, especially if you raised children or managed a household. Always emphasize those skills as well as technical. Someone HAS to be the Project Manager!

      Look into Future Learn https://www.futurelearn.com/ . You can take courses there free (tho I’d pay for the certificate once you get your feet wet.) I use that all the time to learn new things!

      Finally, most important of all is community. Join online groups especially women-only ones. If you joined SYSTERS, an email group, you’d find women who haven’t taken traditional routes into the computing work world…

      Good luck and so happy you’re reaching out!

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  10. Hi Sue, I was at the back of Bletchley Park yesterday on Colossus Way. I noticed all the old buildings and their poor state of repair, is the plan to renovate these as well? I suppose it depends on their importance in the story. I am an Essex boy and moved up here (Wavendon) about 9 years ago, the Bletchley story has always fascinated me. I went to a talk in our village recently and learned some amazing facts about all those thousands of people, a number were billeted locally at Wavendon House which was also used for some work as well. Listened to Desert Island just now and wanted to congratulate you on your fantastic enthusiasm. I am a computer nerd being a property photographer and love music but I’m an Apple fan, never got on with Windows! I would be more than happy to do any photography needed at Bletchley for you free of charge, look at my website.

    mkppspropertyphotography.com

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    1. Hiya Chris, Thanks very much, and so happy to hear that you are interested in Bletchley Park 🙂 Those buildings may be the National Museum of Computing right next to Bletchley Park. They might be interested in your help I’m not sure, they probably are looking for volunteers, and there are some amazing old computers in there 🙂

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  11. Such an inspirational story my goodness well done you. I was working in IT until last year no formal IT quals but ran a small software company for 14 years loved it mostly but sold to large company (not millions) and worked for them. Downhill from then made to feel inadequate and worked for bully so took redundancy last. Now out of employment and lack confidence am 59 but want to go back can you suggest any courses to get me up and running or is too late?

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  13. Hi Sue,

    My favorite radio program is Desert Island discs and Liz my wife and I were engrossed listening to your story and your music selections yesterday morning. Maria Callas’s Norma -Casta Diva is one of my all time favorites and then you included Yellow by ching ching Cioldplay. This has a special meaning to us because our eldest son got a job in London, we live in the North East by the way, and we would speak Friday evenings at least and he told us to get this CD from a new group called Coldplay. We would then play the CD with a G&Ts on Friday evenings and every time Yellow came on Liz had to ring Adam and embarrass him in the pub with his mates.

    Sorry about the irrelevant trivia and more importantly, keep up the good work.

    It was a delight to hear about your achievements.

    Best regards,

    Peter and Liz

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  14. Hi Sue – I’ve just listened to Desert Island Discs and felt compelled to contact you.

    I’ve been an IT trainer/evangelist and following recent redundancy have an opportunity to contribute to in some way to brining the wonderful world of IT to everyone – particularly those daunted by it. I’m too young (and have too much to give) to retire (56) so can I help you in your mission to change the world and get more women in IT?

    I also lost my partner when he was 34 due to a brain haemorrhage so feel we have more than just IT in common.

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  15. Hi Sue,

    We at the School of Computing at the are very much looking forward to hearing you speak at the graduation ceremony in July when you become an honorary graduate of the University of Kent.

    We are writing a short article to let our graduating students know a little more about you and wondered if you had any words for them?

    Many thanks in advance!

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  16. Hello,

    My name is Sanah Handu. I am the president and founder of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) at Peters Township High School in western Pennsylvania. My motivation for creating this club nearly four years ago was to inspire young women to further explore their passions and potentially pursue a career in STEM. By inviting accomplished women in their respective fields to join us and share the realities of the STEM professions we have been able to connect with girls not only in every school in our district but also to the greater Pittsburgh area by hosting numerous interactive workshops as well as organizing events in the Carnegie Science Center for women of all ages.

    As this year is my final year in high school I have the mission to make this the biggest and best year of WISE yet. It would be a great honor if you would be willing to meet with us either in person or arrange a video chat to connect with the club. We are a very enthusiastic bunch and would be so delighted if you could impart any wisdom you have gained from your work in STEM

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  17. Dear Sue,

    I heard you on Desert Island discs and then this morning on the local radio talking at the STEM event in Swindon.

    I would like your thoughts on whether it is too late really for a 40yr old to retrain? I am currently in a health profession. I am interested in engineering especially development of materials. Do you have any suggestions who or what organisation would be helpful for me to talk to please? As a ‘grown up’ I am struggling to get any help with where to even start with regards to training and qualifications.

    You are very inspiring to listen to.

    Thank you for your time
    Regards Caroline

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    1. Hi Caroline, it’s never too late! You’ve got several productive decades ahead of you 😍 I’m not sure which organisation to recommend, but there are loads of women returner courses popping up everywhere these days. So many companies want to employ women. Let me know how you get on 🙏🏾👍🏽😘

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    2. Hi Caroline, I attended railsgirls last year (search ‘railsgirls’ on google…) which was fab – free coding starter session for women, any age, any background, really welcoming and super exciting.. I recommend it if you’re looking to retrain!
      Best of luck – Jess

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  18. Hi Sue, I work at Reading University within the Employer Engagement team and am currently arranging an event for our students entitled Working in Tech Start-ups.

    It seeks to raise awareness of the very real opportunities that are available to our students after graduation in tech start up ,both in technical and non-technical roles.

    I am particularly keen to have an inclusive event and ensure that the speakers come from a variety of backgrounds and particularly keen to have positive representation of women.

    The Event
    Date: 19th Nov 2018
    Time: 5-7.00pm
    Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights

    It would be great if you are able to attend as one of the speakers to offer your insight, but I appreciate that you are very busy!

    However if you have any suggestions about tech startup companies, particularly those founded by women that I could contact I would be really grateful. As we are looking to raise awareness of job opportunities with companies they would need to be passed early start up, so as to have had experiencing of recruiting, and be able to talk about the kind of roles within their companies.

    Thank you for your time.

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  20. Good morning Sue,

    I’ve been reading with interest as our 12 year old is currently working her way through a python tutorial book having done a lot of Scratch projects over the past few years. I’m blown away by her desire to learn to programme and the way she is methodically approaching the tasks and seeking answers when things don’t quite go to plan!

    Any ideas where I can get some more books/activities to inspire her further? She is generally very interested in STEM subjects and at present hopes to go into biomedical sciences, but we’re keen to help her Foster her current interests in programming!

    Many thanks,

    Jeni

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  21. I saw a great BBC story on you just now and was so inspired. I am working to endow a scholarship through the Women of Seattle University alumnae organization to support underrepresented students in STEM. Women are making great advances in participation as STEM department heads, faculty and students at SU, but we want to do more to prepare students for future success in our tech-heavy region. We would love your support!

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  22. Hello Sue,
    My name is Laura and I am partnering with Kenna, a fellow classmate, to design a research project for National History Day, themed triumph and tragedy. We have speculated about the topic and decided to portray Alan Turing’s life and how it relates to triumph and tragedy. While studying this topic, we saw you are profoundly knowledgeable and a specialist on Turing, as you were a major role in his pardon. We were astounded by your detailed elaboration and the telling of his authentic story as the father of modern science and computers. We have found that Alan Turing deciphered the German messages by creating a machine called the Bombe. He found a way to spark a triumphant rescue to those people that were saved by his machine in WWII. Alan Turing was tragically exposed to be homosexual to the unaccepting public who unaware of his great deeds, shamed him excessively. I would sincerely appreciate it if we could use your expertise in our research and interview you.

    Our questions are related to the significance and tragedy of Alan Turing. They are as follows:
    1. What was Turing’s state of mind after the hormonal treatment? Did he undergo any changes, physically, mentally, or emotionally?
    2. Who knew about his noble deeds before the information was declassified? Did the Queen of England or any other high ranking official know? If they did, why didn’t they support Alan throughout his grim final years?
    3. What was the reaction of his kin to his death? Was he close to the family, open with them, or accepted by them?
    4. During Alan’s career, what lead to his mathematical ability? Were there particular inspirations, mentors, or training that led to his incredible ingenuity?
    5. Do you believe that Alan Turing committed suicide or was the cyanide-dripping apple a mere mishap? If it was suicide, do you believe the apple had an allusion to Alan Turing’s beloved line of Snow White “Dip the apple in the brew, let the Sleeping Death seep through”?
    6. What do you think Turing would have desired for modern society? As the father of technology and as a victim of persecution against gays, what do you believe that he would want to say to our generation?
    7. Can you describe the situation of World War Two before Alan Turing had created the Bombe?

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    1. Hiya,
      I’m so happy to hear that your are interested in Alan Turing. I wrote an article in the Telegraph asking for him to be featured on the £10 in 2012, I’d still like that to happen.
      Good luck with researching your questions!
      Best wishes
      Sue

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  23. Hello Sue, I wonder whether you are able to attend our forthcoming event to mark International Women’s Day this year. On 6th March (8.30-10.30am) the Victoria and Victoria Westminster BIDs are co-hosting a breakfast reception and panel discussion in the House of Lords on the theme of ‘Breaking Down Barriers’. The event will focus on industries where women still struggle to achieve parity with their male counterparts.

    There will be a panel discussion at the event and it would be fantastic if you were able to participate. I am in discussion with senior women from business, politics and the property sector about their involvement in the discussion. With your views on women in tech / engineering, and the work you do to support women into the sector, you would be the perfect addition to our panel.

    The audience will be made up of over 100 business women (and a few men!) from across Westminster and Victoria. This year’s event builds on a hugely successful IWD event we held last year and work we have been doing over the last 12 months to promote the rights of women in the work place. Most recently in December we held an outdoor photography exhibition in Victoria, in partnership with the Press Association, marking 100 years since the first General Election when women were able to vote.

    We are excited about our upcoming event in March and would be thrilled and honoured if you could find time in your busy schedule to join us.

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  24. Hi Sue;
    I’m a writer (ok, some science fiction but rubbish at math and IT) and heard you with Jim al-Kalili this am.
    So one, you inspired me to look at programming: you made it sound like fun. And took the natural fear away.
    Two, you’re inspirational, end of.
    Thanks

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  25. Hi Sue
    My wife and I listened with fascination the radio 4 program on your life story this morning
    We are both in our 70 . We are not computer literate and rely on our grandchildren .Any problems today we will consult our technical advisor Charlotte aged 4 when we will pick up from nursery at 1.0pm!
    We will have to get our finger out?
    Thanks again for a wonderful listen
    George and Mary Oakley xx

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  26. Good morning Sue, listened to your interview on BBC radio 4 life scientific on my way to work this morning, your experience and career is a great inspiration to me.

    Thanks

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  27. Dear Sue,
    You sounded great fun on the life scientific. My father (RM Sellar) was trained at Bletchley and Bedford -learning Japanese and then spent the war in Mauritius cracking the Japanese codes.
    I’ve looked up Bletchley and its got a lot of huts that look like they need knocking down. I think it would the ideal place to build ( sensitively) your all female computing college.

    You need a new challenge how about it?
    all the best Robin

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    1. Hi Robin,
      I’ve just come across a photograph of your late father, taken in Mauritius, in the course of my research at Churchill College Cambridge. Do get in touch and I can tell you about it.
      All the best,
      Jackie.

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  28. Hi sue my daughters friend is a bright hard working young lady and after taking a gap year going to Thailand and now Tanzania is undecided whether to do a degree or an apprentership in computer science.She would really appreciate some advice. Thank you for your time. Kind regards linda

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  29. Dear Sue, I came across your profile while doing research on female scientists in the UK. I was quite inspired and in awe of what I read. I am launching a Podcast on Female Financial Empowerment, having a long background in private wealth management. There is a huge gap in female financial confidence and I believe it is rolled up into a much bigger issue. My podcast will hopefully motivate, celebrate, educate, invigorate and sometimes frighten women into taking action to empower themselves, financially and beyond. I am a lover/admirer of entrepreneurs as well. Your background and story is what I think other women, young and old, need to hear. I am based in Zürich, but am often in London as that has been my main market as a private banker for quite a long time. (I am an American and British Citizen). I would love to find a date to do an interview with you. Do let me know if this is welcome and possible.

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  31. Hi Sue,

    I’m the co founder of Jos tech girls. I am from Plateau state, Nigeria. I’m currently creating a podcast for women in tech and would love to get an interview from you for a feature in it. My team decided to create this podcast as a platform for women in the tech industry as we feel that the podcast will give us more voice to tell stories about women in tech and having an interview from some of your experience would be amazing. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Alex Guy

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  32. Dear Sue, my name is YANJUN WANG. I have the honor to listen to your seminar on the capmus of UNSW today. I am a Chinese international student who is 27 years old. I am currently studying for my master of IT from civil engineering. I was deeply attracted by your amazing personality and cheerfulness, and your wonderful story as well.
    I was wondering, Do you consider yourself a genius and a natural in computer science? And could I ask what if I could live my life as well as you do? I believe and agree that you are changing the world and that you must have found what you love.
    I really love what you said: Keep going.
    Thank you again for your wonderful sharing, which has benifited me a lot.
    Kind Regards
    JUN

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    1. Dear Jun,
      Thank you so much for your lovely words 🥰 I don’t consider myself a genius and I’m not really a natural computer scientist either. I love technology and I love changing people’s lives for the better. Do connect to me on LinkedIn and Twitter/Instagram. My advice is to follow your passions in life and surround yourself with people that love and support you 🥳

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