A leading voice for women in the sector

Dr Black, who is a senior research associate in the Software Systems Engineering group at University College London and a senior consultant with Cornerstone Global Associates, will visit Leeds Metropolitan University’s Old Broadcasting House in the city on Wednesday, July 11. The event starts at 6pm.

The inaugural Leeds Girl Geek dinner was held in 2008.

Linda Broughton, one of the organisers of the dinner, said it offers “a great way for women working in technology to come together for an informal evening event to hear amazing female speakers in a space where women are in the majority”.

She added: “The Leeds events attract women working in a wide range of sectors including digital marketing, publishing, telecommunications, journalism and education – a cross-section of things happening in technology. If you haven’t been before, expect to meet lots of new people working with technology our city, and be inspired and challenged by an amazing speaker.”

Ms Broughton is the head of Leeds Metropolitan University’s Northern Technology Institute and is a chartered software engineer.

Dr Black has been campaigning for equality, and more support for women in technology and alongside many other causes since 1998. She is recognised as having been instrumental in the saving of Bletchley Park, which is recognised as the birthplace of the first programmable computer. She is currently campaigning to get computer science taught in primary and secondary schools.

Ms Broughton said: “She’s a firm believe in taking action, and inspiring others to get involved too, so if you are coming along expect to be challenged to get involved too.”

Tickets, priced at £10, are available at www.leedsgirlgeeks.com