Prof Becky Strachan

Professor

Department: Computer and Information Sciences

Becky 2 Dec 2014

I really enjoy being part of academic life at Northumbria University and value the opportunities this brings to work with students, undertake research in computing and learning and teaching and collaborate with our various partners across the region and more globally.

I left school unsure whether to study mathematics or chemistry at university. Eventually I went to study Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. I then worked for Sheffield Friends of the Earth setting up a recycling scheme before returning to academic study and completing a MSc in Computer Studies (with distinction) at Sheffield Polytechnic. After this I worked for Midland Bank as a computer programmer before heading off to Leeds Polytechnic as a researcher to investigate the performance of computer networks where I gained my PhD in 1991.

I became a computing lecturer at Leeds Polytechnic specialising in computer networks, and stayed there for several years before moving to Sheffield Hallam University to take up a senior lectureship. During this time I developed an interest in e-learning mainly through leading the postgraduate distance learning courses in computer networks. I also led on business development and spent some of my time as a professional trainer in the IT training facility. Following my appointment to Head of Postgraduate within the Faculty, I became responsible for the postgraduate student experience from those taking fine art degrees through to journalism, computing and materials engineering. I was delighted to take up a senior management role in 2008 here at Northumbria initially with the main focus on learning and teaching but now as Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Knowledge Exchange.

I enjoy living in the vibrant city of Newcastle and being close to the beautiful North East coastline and countryside. I like walking and gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Campus Address

Ellison Building
D Block, Room D109

Email Becky

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Emergency Remote Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Design Opportunities, Nicholson, R., Strachan, R., Dele-Ajayi, O., Fasae, K. 19 Jan 2024, Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’24), New York, US, ACM
Design of a Methodological Framework for Community Based Digital Literacy: A Kenyan Case Study, Oguna, C., Strachan, R. 20 Sep 2023, Proceedings of the 16th IEEE AFRICON Conference (2023 IEEE AFRICON), Piscataway, NJ, IEEE
Evaluating a complex and sustained STEM engagement programme through the lens of science capital: insights from Northeast England, Padwick, A., Dele-Ajayi, O., Davenport, C., Strachan, R. 12 May 2023, In: International Journal of STEM Education
Scientist of the Week: evaluating effects of a teacher-led STEM intervention to reduce stereotypical views of scientists in young children, Shimwell, J., DeWitt, J., Davenport, C., Padwick, A., Sanderson, J., Strachan, R. 3 Apr 2023, In: Research in Science and Technological Education
Elimination before imagination:: How children’s early understanding of scientists may limit aspirations for broader STEM careers, Padwick, A., Davenport, C., Strachan, R. 8 Oct 2022, 2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), IEEE
'People like me': identifying personal attributes of STEM professionals, Davenport, C., Horan, M., Willis, B., Padwick, A., Strachan, R. 8 Oct 2022, 2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE 2022), Piscataway, US, IEEE
The role of universities in modern society, Moscardini, A., Strachan, B., Vlasova, T. 3 Apr 2022, In: Studies in Higher Education
A System Strategy for Higher Education, Moscardini, A., Strachan, R., Vlasova, T., Pavlenko, I. 1 Feb 2021, In: Performance Improvement
A Theory of Change for improving children's perceptions, aspirations and uptake of STEM careers, Davenport, C., Dele-Ajayi, O., Emembolu, I., Morton, R., Padwick, A., Portas, A., Sanderson, J., Shimwell, J., Stonehouse, J., Strachan, R., Wake, L., Wells, G., Woodward, J. 1 Aug 2021, In: Research in Science Education
Gender and STEAM as part of the MOOC STEAM4ALL, Gonzalez, C., Garcia-Holgado, A., Plaza, P., Castro, M., Peixoto, A., Merino, J., Sancristobal, E., Menacho, A., Urbano, D., Blazquez, M., Garcia-Loro, F., Restivo, T., Strachan, R., Diaz, P., Plaza, I., Fernandez, C., Lord, S., Rover, D., Chan, R., Ciampi, M., Meier, R., Tovar, E., Salazar, M., Zvacek, S., Ruiperez-Valiente, J., Quintana, B., Martin, S., Botella, G., Lopez-Rey, A., Abreu, P. 21 Apr 2021, Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2021, IEEE

Current and Recent Projects

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
BRIDGE (Building Routes Into Degrees with Greater Equality) (HEFCE CATALYST), Strachan, B. (Principal Investigator), Higher Education Funding Council for England, 01/03/17 - 28/02/19, £72,925.00
Creative Fuse North East, Bailey, M. (Principal Investigator), Strachan, B. (Co Investigator), Arts & Humanities Research Council, 01/01/16 - 31/12/17, £468,671.00
Building Partnership and strengthening cooperation in the field of lean manufacturing and services, Strachan, B. (Principal Investigator), Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 04/08/14 - 31/10/14, £1,470.00
Think Physics Catalyst Fund, Strachan, B. (Principal Investigator), Higher Education Funding Council for England, 01/01/14 - 31/12/17, £1,176,716.00

PGR Supervision

Emma Anderson A study of the language skills needed for university students to effectively interact with AI code generation tools. Start Date: 01/10/2023
Sophie Middleton Towards digital citizenship: A digital literacy curriculum to support teachers in the classroom Start Date: 31/05/2022 End Date: 24/02/2023
Julie Walters Capturing Useful Information from Twitter for Improving Patient Care in Hospitals Start Date: 31/05/2022 End Date: 19/11/2022
Victor Ayodele Understanding and Sustaining Student Motivation and Engagement through Participatory Action Research: A Case Study from Postgraduate Computer Science Education Start Date: 01/10/2021
Opeyemi Dele-Ajayi How Can Digital Educational Games Be Used to Improve Engagement with Mathematics in the Classroom? Start Date: 05/08/2014 End Date: 07/11/2018
Itoro Emembolu Impact of Academic Research through Northumbria’s Physical Sciences, Technology and Engineering Outreach Activities on Improving the Uptake of STEM Disciplines by Young People Start Date: 01/11/2016 End Date: 15/07/2020
Jacqueline Adamson A Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Approach to Deliver Employability Effectively to Undergraduate Information Systems Students. An IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) Study Start Date: 01/03/2010 End Date: 03/10/2016
Lalith Liyanage A Case Study of the Effectiveness of the Delivery of Work Based Learning from the Perspective of Stakeholders in Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences at Northumbria University Start Date: 01/12/2011 End Date: 01/05/2014
Isara Kongmee Investigation into the Use of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) to Support Second Language Learning and Teaching Start Date: 09/10/2009 End Date: 25/06/2015
Cynthia Oguna Designing a User Centred Methodological Framework to Enhance Digital Literacy among Rural Communities: A Kenyan Case Study Start Date: 01/10/2020
Amy Phillips A future in data: Training secondary students as data journalists to decrease the digital skills gap and promote media literacy Start Date: 01/10/2019 End Date: 03/05/2023
Raphael Eichie ?The use of interactive screencasts to promote active and engaged learning in the Further Education mathematics classroom: A descriptive case study of Tynecoast College Start Date: 01/10/2019
Sanaa Aljabali Investigation into international undergraduate students’ use of digital technology and their application in formal and informal settings Start Date: 08/05/2013 End Date: 07/11/2018
EMMA GARRICK Start Date: 01/02/2016
Shelagh Keogh Development of a framework to guide academic staff in helping students adopt a professional approach to practice in the computer science discipline Start Date: 29/02/2012 End Date: 06/08/2021

Qualifications

Education Advanced Diploma June 30 1999
Research Methods Advanced Diploma June 30 1997
Computer Studies PhD September 30 1991
Computer Studies MSc September 01 1986
Chemistry BSc July 01 1984
Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) PFHEA 2019

Links

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Research at Northumbria

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