In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, Professor Sue Black OBE shares her extraordinary journey from a single mum living in poverty to becoming one of the UK’s most influential figures in technology. With warmth, humour and honesty, Sue brings to life the real challenges she faced, from escaping domestic violence and restarting her life on a council estate in Brixton, to discovering a passion for coding and completing a PhD in computer science while raising three young children.

Through her stories of resilience, reinvention and relentless perseverance, Sue demonstrates that no matter where you start in life, it is possible to achieve remarkable things. She offers lessons learned not just from her personal path, but also from the thousands of women she’s empowered through initiatives like #techmums, BCSWomen and TechUPWomen, programmes that have helped transform lives through education, confidence and digital skills.

More than a motivational talk, this keynote is a rallying cry for inclusive innovation and social mobility. Sue explores how technology can be a tool for empowerment and how creating opportunities, especially for women and underserved communities, is vital to unlocking human potential. Her message is clear and compelling: you don’t have to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things. If she can do it, so can you.

Professor Sue Black OBE is an award-winning computer scientist, social entrepreneur, and technology evangelist who has transformed countless lives through the power of tech. Currently Professor of Computer Science at Durham University, she is the founder of BCSWomen, #techmums, and TechUPWomen: programmes that have empowered thousands of women from underserved communities to enter and thrive in tech careers. A passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and digital education, Sue led the successful campaign to save Bletchley Park and has advised government on digital strategy. Recognised among the top 20 most influential people in UK tech, she is also a trustee at Comic Relief and a dynamic keynote speaker known for her compelling blend of personal storytelling and big-picture vision. From single mum on a council estate to global tech leader, Sue’s journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the life-changing power of opportunity.