School of Computing
     

Staff profile

Alison Brown - Senior Lecturer in Computing

Alison BrownAlison Brown is committed to giving students a real edge in the computer industry.

Meet Alison Brown.

What drew you to lecturing at Teesside?

I first did a sports science degree but realised I wanted to keep sport as a hobby, not a career. I then came to Teesside to do an MSc Information Technology and, after graduating, worked for an engineering company developing a hand-held system for safety inspections on offshore oil and gas rigs.

Later I worked in local government as a network manager, installing networks and computer systems, and providing training for staff. I came to work at Teesside in 1999.

What are your teaching interests?

I teach modules on Advanced Networks and Network Management to final year and postgraduate students. It's quite technical, but it's also about aligning what the network infrastructure delivers with what the business requires. I want to share with our students the mix of relevant technical skills and business awareness that they will need when they start work.

I'm also very interested in encouraging more women to enter the industry. I run Girls and Gadgets sessions, which bring groups of girls from several local schools to use the University's computing resources.

And what are your interests outside work?

I like running, scuba diving and rock climbing. You can't beat this area for its opportunities for outdoor activities with the coastline, hills and moors.

Why should a student come to Teesside to study computing?

Our facilities are great - we have 40 labs ranging from general purpose labs to dedicated cutting-edge resources. Our staff are down-to-earth and enthusiastic and have a huge commitment to their subject areas.

All of these elements give our students a real marketable edge in an exciting and expanding industry.