Born: 1962 (Fareham, Hampshire, England)
Biography:
Susan Elizabeth Black OBE FRSA, born in 1962, is a British computer scientist, academic, and social entrepreneur. She is renowned for her efforts in saving Bletchley Park, the World War II codebreaking center, through her Saving Bletchley Park campaign.
Sue Black was born in Fareham, Hampshire, in 1962. She faced early challenges in her life, leaving school and home at the earliest legal age of 16. At the age of 20, she got married and soon became a mother of three children. Unfortunately, her husband forced her and the children to leave, leading Black to seek refuge in a local women’s shelter. Determined to build a better future for herself and her children, she enrolled in a night school math access course, which eventually paved the way for her undergraduate degree.
In 1993, Black graduated from London South Bank University with a bachelor’s degree in computing. Her passion for the field led her to pursue a Ph.D. in software engineering, which she successfully obtained in 2001. During her Ph.D. research, she focused on the ripple effect under the guidance of her supervisor, Robin Whitty.
Throughout her career, Black has held various prominent positions. She served as the Head of the Department of Information and Software Systems at the University of Westminster and as a senior research associate at University College London (UCL). Since 2018, she has held the position of Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University, while also being an honorary professor at UCL.
Black has been a strong advocate for women in computing. In 2001, she became the founding chair of the British Computer Society (BCS) Specialist Group BCSWomen. Her dedication to promoting gender diversity and equality in the field has been instrumental in inspiring and supporting women pursuing careers in technology.
One of Black’s most notable contributions has been her campaign to save Bletchley Park. In 2003, she started raising awareness about the dilapidated condition of Bletchley Park, a vital site for decrypting enemy messages during World War II, through a blog. Her visits to the site, witnessing the rebuilding of the Bombe machine, and learning about the immense wartime efforts of over 10,000 people there motivated her to take action. Her strategy extended to Twitter and other social media platforms, engaging more followers and activists, including Bletchley Park staff. The campaign ultimately succeeded, securing funding for the restoration of Bletchley Park.
In recognition of her remarkable achievements and contributions, Black was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Her commitment to leveraging technology for social causes and her extraordinary use of social media have made her a modern leader. Black’s story continues to inspire individuals, especially women, to pursue careers in computing and make a difference in their respective fields.
Awards:
– Order of the British Empire (OBE)