Nicky Danino

Nicky's passion lies in trying to engage more young people (especially women) with computer science. She would like to see an increase in the number of girls studying computing, and works towards trying to address the gender stereotypes around professions in the discipline. Most recently, Nicky has contributed to a science textbook ‘The Science of Superheroes’ which aims to engage young adults with STEM.

Involvement in validation and verification is critical in building on our practice across the university and maintaining academic standards. Nicky has a keen interest in quality assurance and works closely with the BCS (British Computer Society) - The Chartered Institute for IT. She ensures that Computer Science here maintains appropriate professional accreditation standards. Her role on our Academic Quality and Standards Committee provides an avenue of influence in this arena and across the institution. Previously, Nicky was also a member of our Academic Board (2013-2016), which provided her with experience in dealing with academic quality matters across the institution.

Nicky plays an active role as an elected committee member for CPHC (Council of Professors and Heads of Computing) and for the BCS. Both roles allow Nicky to contribute, at a national level, to policy and practice relating to the Computer Science landscape in the UK. Her affiliation with the University of Gibraltar, as a key advisor, also enables her to influence at an international level.

After graduating with us in 1998, Nicky went to work as a developer for ID, a Preston based creative design agency specialising in responsive websites and bespoke application development. This gave her the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, both large and small, across many different market sectors.

Nicky was appointed as a lecturer in 2002, in our Department of Computing. Since then, she has demonstrated a desire for supporting both students and staff in achieving the best they can in life. She is particularly interested in working towards providing an intentional approach in Computer Science to identifying and achieving equity, diversity, inclusion priorities and goals for all. This work is further powered by her involvement on our Equality and Diversity Executive Strategy Group. Her role as Chair of our Staff Profile Group (focusing on improving staff diversity), her membership of the school, faculty and university Athena Swan committees and her activities as Co-chair of our Women’s Network.

Prior to becoming the Academic Lead for Computer Science, she focused on both the development of teaching activities and the development of innovative/entrepreneurial activity. As Business Development and Partnerships Lead for Computing, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, she established, initiated, and optimised business development strategies. This was based on department targets, product specifications, market data and budget factors. She worked continually towards maintaining and improving our reputation and positive image in markets served, both in the UK and internationally.

As an experienced science communicator, Nicky undertakes regular public engagement work. She has been identified by the university as a media expert and has been called upon to comment on various issues, often appearing on news stories in the press, on the radio, and on TV. Nicky truly believes this is an area where the individuals can make a substantial difference to STEM subjects. She was returned to the last REF as part of a large faculty-based impact case study based around ‘The Science of Superheroes’, with current impact work around this funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.