After University, I tried to be a self-employed web developer, whilst working in a shop and Post Office to pay the bills. It was through a friend I met in the shop that I applied for a role as a computing lecturer at Edinburgh College.

During my time as a lecturer at the college, I moved into management, becoming Head of the Computing School, and along the way, I developed several award-winning initiatives that help women and underrepresented groups access the tech industry. The most notable is the CodeSpace software development bootcamp, which I founded in partnership with 2i Testing, that is still going strong.

I recently moved into Transformation at The University of Glasgow. I work in the College of Science and Engineering, where my role is less hands-on techy and instead, I support my colleagues to deliver improvement projects, many of which involve technology. This role draws on my knowledge of both technology and Higher Education.

What was your first career aspiration as a child?

In Primary school I wanted to be a vet, but as I left School I wanted to do Special Effects for films, which took me to University to study things like 3D animation, digital special effects, filmmaking and computing skills.

What has been the biggest challenge in your life, work or otherwise?

I have faced many challenges, but they come and go. I’m not naturally outgoing, so building a network is something I have to make a conscious effort to do, and it’s continuous. I’m learning over time to be comfortable with not being in my comfort zone.

Who has been a big/biggest inspiration in your life?

My Dad was one of my inspirations; he was passionate about science and education, having been a Physics teacher. He was from a make-do and mend generation, so everything was hand-made and repaired. Because of this I was around an inventor, problem solver and engineer growing up. He was fascinated with home computers when they first appeared and he brought home our first BBC Micro computer, which was my first exposure to coding.

What is your favourite pastime?

I have a few hobbies, one of which is needle felting. I make sculptures of animals out of wool. I like to try and make them as realistic as possible, which is a challenge because I can’t draw very well.  I use digital image manipulation and 3D modelling software, and more recently, AI tools to assist me in my creations.

What is your spirit animal?

My Spirit animal is probably a fox; it has so many crossover traits of both a cat and a dog, they are adapted to live in most environments, making the best of the resources they find around them.

Anything else you would like to share?

I won a Scotland Women in Technology award in 2023, which I’m immensely proud of and grateful to the people who nominated me for it.