Julia Adamson from Cullompton awarded MBE for contribution to computing education

Julia Adamson, BCS’ MD for Education and Public Benefit, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, for Services to Education.

Her mission at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is to give every young person the digital skills they need to succeed in life and work.

Julia played a lead role in establishing and managing the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), an £84 million government-funded programme to upskill teachers to deliver world-class computing education in schools.

Under her leadership, the Computing at School (CAS) teachers’ network has grown in influence and now has over 25,000 teacher members.

BCS’ Barefoot scheme, which supports primary teachers with learning materials and lesson plans, has so far reached 2.85 million children across the UK.

Julia is Vice-Chair of the Uffculme Multi Academy Trust, in Mid Devon. She lives with her family in Cullompton.

Julia began her career in education 26 years ago as a teacher in Cheshire. In 2006 she joined Liverpool-based company, MGL, developing her vision for tech in schools, and how it could transform outcomes for learners.

She joined Exeter-based South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) in 2009, supporting its work on online safety and education.

Julia joined BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT in 2017, holding a number of leadership roles, and is now Managing Director, Education and Public Benefit.

Julia said: “I want this honour to recognise the work of every teacher who brings digital skills and computing education into young people’s lives.

“I became passionate about the wonder and power of computing as a primary school teacher over 25 years ago and it was clear then it would only become more important.

Today with the emergence of AI, it is absolutely vital that every girl and boy has the digital skills and qualifications they need to achieve their ambitions and thrive. Computing gets everywhere, like glitter – there’s no going back!”

Global IT entrepreneur Dame Stephanie Shirley, a Distinguished Fellow of BCS said: “Julia is an inspirational role model to young women building careers in technology, whether that is through teaching, leading organisations or starting new businesses. She has dedicated her life to bringing the life-changing benefits of computing and tech to everyone. This honour recognises how much she has achieved as well as her ambition to do even more.”