- Two members have been announced as finalists, as well as the Centre itself
- Professor Vladlena Benson and Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy are up for the Innovator Award and Academic Award respectively
- The Awards will take place on Friday 4 October at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
Aston Centre for Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) has been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories at the Midlands Women in Tech Awards.
Two members of the Centre have been nominated. Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, CSI deputy director, is up for the Academic Award and Professor Vladlena Benson, director, for the Innovator Award.
Professor Benson is recognised for her ground-breaking work in cyber security. Under her leadership, the Centre has established numerous initiatives that push the boundaries of what is possible in cyber security. Her efforts have fostered a culture of creativity and inclusivity, inspiring the next generation of cyber security professionals having secured international projects such as Horizon and the Cyber India Capacity Building Project and established numerous knowledge transfer projects. These projects represent a significant investment in helping local and national business advance cutting-edge research and development, aimed at addressing critical challenges in cybersecurity and fostering innovation within the field.
Dr Chinnaswamy has been recognised for her exceptional contributions to academia, particularly in the field of cybersecurity, along with her leadership in developing educational programmes that emphasise diversity and inclusion. In addition to successful research leadership, she leads the delivery of an innovative MSc in Cyber Security Management.
The Centre itself has been nominated for the Best Use of Tech in a Public Sector Project Award. This recognition is largely due to the impactful work of the CSI team on initiatives like the CyberKali project and the WMCA funded bootcamps, which promotes diversity in cybersecurity by encouraging more women and ethnic minorities to enter and thrive in the field. This project exemplifies CSI’s commitment to using technology for the greater good and making cybersecurity more inclusive.
Professor Benson said:
“We are delighted to be recognised by the Women in Tech awards for the Aston Centre for Cyber security Innovation work promoting diversity in the cyber security field. It is a great honour to be nominated across three categories and have an external acknowledgement of the impact that the Centre is delivering for the West midlands.
Dr Chinnaswamy said:
“I am humbled by this recognition; it is a great honour to reach the finals amongst fantastic high-achieving women in the sector. Opportunities such as these give me the voice and a platform to be heard, and to inspire more and more wo9men from all backgrounds and walks of life to consider a pathway into Tech.”
The Midlands Women in Tech Awards ceremony will be held on Friday 4 October at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
- Notes to Editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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