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TechUP Team

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Meet the Team

Sue Black

TechUP Director
An award winning Digital Skills Expert, Sue Black was awarded an OBE for “services to technology” (2016). She is Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist in the Department of Computer Science at Durham University, a government advisor, Trustee at Comic Relief, social entrepreneur, writer and public speaker.  

Alexandra Cristea

TechUP Assistant Director
Alexandra I. Cristea is Professor, Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Director of Research and Founder of the Artificial Intelligence in Human Systems research group in the Department of Computer Science at Durham University. She is Advisory Board Member at the Ustinov College, N8 CIR Digital Humanities team lead for Durham.

Johanna Waite

TechUP Programme Manager
Johanna is a TechWomen100 2022 award winner with over a decade of experience delivering projects across the engineering, heritage, charity, higher education and tech sectors. Specialising in non-profit and community projects Johanna is responsible for overseeing the entire TechUP portfolio including operations, business development and strategic planning.  

Kathryn Moore

TechUP Project Manager
Kathryn has worked in a number of different roles within the Higher Education and charitable sectors supporting emerging and established projects develop, including a number of Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Training Partnerships at Durham University, Research Centres (CVAC, Zurbaran and ARCTIC) and the Durham Residential Research Library.

Yulia Abramova

TechUP Project Manager
Yulia previously worked as a Project Manager for pro:NE, a project run by five NE Universities that aims to reduce barriers to PGR to students from minority ethnic groups. Yulia has worked in various business sectors and studied internationally. Her degrees include a Master’s in World Politics and International Relations.

Adela Karsznia

TechUP Administrator
Adela is a career-changer with a strong interest in technology and a professional background in academic research and publishing, specialising in digital humanities work for the cultural and Higher Education sectors. In her free time, she is studying front-end development and regularly swims, runs, and plays cricket.

Uffa Modey

TechUP Tutor
Uffa is a software engineer and tech policy analyst who develops innovative software and promotes ethical technology. She is experienced in building tech skills for female students in Nigerian and UK universities and curates open technical projects on her blog (https://fafacodes.hashnode.dev/). She has an MSc in Cybernetics and Communications Engineering.

Rebena Sanghera

TechUP Tutor
Rebena Sanghera is a Leadership and Management Facilitator at the Education Training Foundation and has been in the Digital Education sector for 20 years and is still loving it. She is a BCSWomen Early Careers Advocate, Education Liaison for BCS Nottingham and Derby, and a coach with the BAMEeducators Network.

Banke Adewale

TechUP Tutor
Banke is an accomplished educator and computer science professional passionate about mathematics and computing. She empowers individuals with digital skills and ICT training, believes in lifelong learning. She has degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and e-Business Management with a PGCE, and is an active member of professional organizations.