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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.  

Adela Karsznia

TechUP Teaching & Learning Coordinator
Adela has 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 learning new tech skills and regularly swims, runs, and plays cricket.

Tejal Jain

TechUP Events and Communications Officer
Tejal is a creative at heart, passionate about making events and marketing more ‘human’. Outside of work, she enjoys creative writing for her Instagram account or giving local activities a go. She loves learning new things and is always up for a chat!

Lynn Shipley

TechUP Administrator
Lynn is a graduate of King’s College London and has a long career in higher education and the non-profit sector. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors, mainly gardening or walking, and she’s a volunteer for Billingham Town Football Club. UTT!

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.

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.

Grace Ademola-Adenle

TechUP Tutor
Grace is an experienced software development professional of over a decade and is currently specialising in Product (UX) Design. Having won several awards, including the Standard Chartered Women in Tech 2020, she is also a member of the British Computer Society and co-host of the Career Salon podcast on LinkedIn.