Published on 18 December 2019
Professor Alastair Irons has been elected as the chair of the British Computer Society (BCS) Academy Board which is one of the senior volunteering roles within BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Running concurrently with the Chair of the Academy Board is the position of Vice President of the BCS Academy.
The Academic Dean for Faculty of Technology at the University of Sunderland, takes up his new role with BCS after the AGM in March 2020 for a three-year tenure. BCS is the leading professional body for those working in Information Technology with over 70,000 members in more than 100 countries.
The organisation’s core purpose is to advance knowledge in computing that benefits the public. BCS promotes the benefits, successes and challenges of computer science through public engagement and works to establish computing as a core academic discipline at every level of education.
Having already served as Newcastle Branch Chair of BCS, and Chair of the BCS Academic Accreditation Committee, Prof Irons is no stranger to supporting and promoting the values and principal aims of the organisation.
Delighted to be taking on the new national role of chair, he said: “It is a privilege to be involved with BCS in this position and provides an opportunity to work with colleagues in academic and industry to help enhance the professionalism of computing and contribute to the challenges facing the IT industry.”
Prof Irons brings to the role wide-ranging experiences and research interests in computing and computer science with specialisms in the fields of digital forensics, cybercrime and cyber security. In addition to his new role, Alastair also serves on the boards of DYNAMO and the North East Fraud Forum, is on the advisory board for NE Digital Catapult and is a trustee for the NE Futures UTC.
About BCS Academy Board
BCS Academy Board is a partnership between BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC) and the UK Computing Research Committee (UKCRC). The Academy Board reports to the Institute’s Trustee Board.
The BCS fosters links between experts from industry, academia and business to promote new thinking, education and knowledge sharing through continuing professional development and a series of respected IT qualifications, the organisation seeks to promote professional practice tuned to the demands of business. It provides practical support and information services to its members and volunteer communities around the world.
BCS collaborates with government, industry and relevant bodies to establish good working practices, codes of conduct, skills frameworks and common standards. It also offers a range of consultancy services to employers to help them adopt best practice.