Hannah Dee

What have you been doing since finishing your studies? What are you doing in terms of your career?

Since I graduated from my PhD, I did three post-doctoral researcher positions (Kingston University in London, then back to Leeds for 3 years, then Grenoble Institute of Technology in France). Then I managed to land a permanent academic post in Aberystwyth University, on the west coast of Wales. I've been in Aberystwyth for 5 years now, I'm really interested in increasing the number of women in technology so I do a lot of voluntary work with the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. 

What company are you working for, what is your role and what does it involve?

I'm at the University of Aberystwyth. I do research into computer vision, I teach (this year, I'll be teaching computer vision and 2nd year databases), and I do outreach to schools. I even have my own PhD students now.I can also see the sea from my office.

What experiences at Leeds do you think have particularly helped with your career/will help with your future career?

Doing a PhD at Leeds gave me a real grounding in research. That has set me up for everything that followed. Also, whilst at Leeds, I set up the BCS Women Lovelace Colloquium, which is a one-day conference for women undergraduates; Leeds were really supportive at the start and hosted it for two years running. I still run this conference, and now it moves around the country.

Looking back, why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds?

I chose to study Cognitive Science because I read a novel called Neuromancer, by William Gibson, and became fascinated by the idea of artificial intelligence. I chose to study it in Leeds because I wanted the city life and the university seemed friendly!

What was the best aspect of the course/the University and why? Any highlights?

Pulling all-nighters in the Edward Boyle. Getting my first publication as a postgrad. Seeing The Who live at Leeds. Graudating (so much fun, I did it 3 times).Going to the Fenton after the last exam (every time).

What other activities outside of your studies were you involved in?

Politics, beer, and clubbing. That probably wasn't the answer you were after...

What would you say to students thinking about studying the same course at Leeds/thinking about the same career?

Leeds is a great place to study. I went in 1996 and stayed for 15 years!