- The Midlands Women in Tech Awards spotlight pioneering women in the tech realm
- Professor Vladlena Benson and Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy were awarded the Academic Award and Tech For Good Award respectively
- The winners were announced at a ceremony at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Monday 9 October.
Two Aston University cyber security experts have taken home prizes at the Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2023
The awards ceremony at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Monday 9 October celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in the tech sector, recognising their outstanding work and dedication. This year, the awards received over 400 nominations, making it even more exceptional for the finalists and winners who stood out among this talented pool of nominees.
The Awards aim to shed light on the importance of women’s involvement in technology. The tech industry has traditionally been male-dominated, and these awards serve as a platform to highlight the invaluable contributions of women while encouraging more women to pursue careers in technology. By showcasing successful women in tech, we hope to inspire the next generation of female tech leaders.
Professor Vladlena Benson won the Academic Award, which is awarded to a woman in academia who has made an outstanding contribution to technology and whose work has made or has the potential to make a significant long-term impact, for her work within the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Research Centre at Aston University.
Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy was awarded the Tech For Good Award, which recognises organisations or individuals who use tech to improve the lives of others and make the world a better place, for her work within Aston Business School.
Professor Benson said:
“Receiving the Academic Award is an honor and a testament to the collective effort of our CSI team, stakeholders and colleagues at Aston University.
“This recognition fuels my commitment to advancing cyber security innovation and contributing to our 2030 Digital Futures Strategy.
“I am grateful for the support from the Aston University community and Midlands Women in Tech Awards for spotlighting the achievements of women in technology.”
Dr Chinnaswamy said:
“I am deeply honoured and incredibly grateful to have been awarded the prestigious Tech for Good award. It would be wrong to say this award is just a reflection of my own hard work and dedication; it's actually a symbol of the collective effort from our amazing CSI team, and our stakeholders and all colleagues from the wider Aston University community.
“I am also very appreciative of the immense support the Aston University senior management team have been providing us and valuing the work we do. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Midlands Women in Tech Awards for recognising the achievements of women in technology and for providing a platform to celebrate our contributions.
“As I stood there next to such high achieving women, I was instilled with a sense of responsibility and duty, to carry on the work we do, and do it well.
“I am humbled and proud to be an ambassador for the Aston brand and look forward to the Centre and I contributing towards the aspirational 2030 Digital Futures Strategy.”
Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said:
“We are immensely proud of Professor Vladlena Benson and Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy for their well-deserved recognition at the Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2023.
“Their achievements exemplify the exceptional talent and dedication of women in the tech sector.
“These awards not only celebrate their outstanding contributions but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of female tech leaders.
“Aston University remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women in technology and we congratulate our esteemed experts on this well-deserved honour.”
The full list of winners can be found here.
For more information about the awards click here.
- Notes to Editors
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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