The University is delighted to announce its official partnership with OpenBright, a registered charity dedicated to supporting women in computing and tech-related research. This collaboration underscores the university’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence in STEM.

OpenBright, established in 2020, awards grants to women currently enrolled at partner universities who are pursuing research projects in computing, software engineering, data science, digital media, artificial intelligence, robotics, and related fields. The aim of these awards is to empower women to explore innovative ideas, develop research expertise and help address the gender imbalance in computing education and careers.

As a partner university, students in the School of Computing at Buckingham will now be eligible to apply for OpenBright Awards, giving them the opportunity to secure funding that supports projects which might otherwise be constrained by limited resources. These grants can help cover project equipment, specialist training, travel, or other research-related costs.

Rashmi Perera, a PhD candidate in Computing, says:

“The opportunity to apply for OpenBright research awards will be incredibly valuable in supporting the development of university-level research and projects in computing and IT-related fields. I’m grateful for its partnership with the university as it will provide meaningful support to students in Computing, enabling us to further develop our projects and grow academically and professionally.”

Elizabeth Molyneux, Founder and Chair of Trustees, says:

“OpenBright is delighted to welcome the School of Computing at The University of Buckingham as a partner university. We recognise that women remain significantly under-represented in computer science research, and our mission aligns perfectly with the University’s commitment to addressing this imbalance. Our Awards provide the vital financial backing that enables female students to lead innovative technical research and overcome the resource barriers that often hinder progress. By supporting these students, we empower them to push the boundaries of their fields and help shape a more diverse and representative future for the UK’s tech sector.”

Professor Harin Sellahewa, Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Law and Psychology, says:

“We are proud to join OpenBright’s network of partner universities. This partnership aligns with our strategic goals to foster a diverse and inclusive environment in computing and STEM. By supporting aspiring women researchers, we’re helping to cultivate the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

OpenBright’s mission is not only to provide financial support but to celebrate, showcase and elevate the research contributions of women in computing, ultimately helping to diversify tech sectors and strengthen innovation across the UK.

This partnership will take immediate effect, with eligible students encouraged to review the application criteria and timelines published on the OpenBright website.

The University of Buckingham is delighted to announce the re-appointment of Dame Mary Archer for a second term as Chancellor, reaffirming her continued leadership at a landmark moment in the University’s history.

Dame Mary was formally installed for her second term during a special Convocation ceremony on Tuesday 24 February 2026, held at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Buckingham.

Dame Mary speaking at the Town Hall, held earlier in the day

Her re-appointment coincides with the beginning of the University’s 50th Anniversary year, celebrating five decades of independent thinking, academic excellence, and innovation since it opened in 1976.

Dame Mary has served as Chancellor since 2020, guiding the University through a period of significant transformation and challenge, including the pandemic.

Interim Vice-Chancellor David Cole highlighted her strategic insight and generosity of spirit:

“Dame Mary has been a wonderful Chancellor. Her commitment to our students, her grace at every graduation ceremony, her wisdom in counsel, and her tireless advocacy for Buckingham in the wider world have exemplified everything this institution represents.”

“Her leadership and her unwavering support for the University’s continued growth have been invaluable. We are deeply honoured that she continues to serve as our Chancellor and to champion all that makes Buckingham exceptional.”

Left to right: Chris Payne, Mark Qualter, Dame Mary Archer and David Cole.

A distinguished academic, scientist, and public servant, Dame Mary began her career as a physical chemist, teaching at Oxford and Cambridge, with research focused on sustainable energy. She has held numerous national leadership roles, including Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the NHS.

Speaking about her re-appointment, Dame Mary said:

“The University has a pioneering and student-oriented approach, and I am deeply honoured to remain its Chancellor as the University celebrates its 50th anniversary.”

Dame Mary Archer’s continued appointment reflects the University’s enduring commitment to its founding principles of academic excellence and student-centred learning, values that will be celebrated throughout Buckingham’s 50-year legacy.

Dame Mary speaking at the 2026 Installation Ceremony

The Law School recently hosted a highly successful Mock Crown Court Trial, bringing together students, academic colleagues, alumni judges and members of the legal profession for an immersive and professionally delivered courtroom experience. The event was observed by University colleagues , including Trustees and external stakeholders from the legal sector. Professor Adolfo Paolini, Dean of the School of Law, was also delighted to welcome a group of sixth-form students from John Colet School, Wendover, forging stronger links with the Law School outreach activities.

The proceedings, held in the Moot Court and live-streamed to F06 for additional attendees, provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply their legal knowledge in a realistic setting. The case concerned the offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), allowing students to explore the legal elements of the offence and self-defence in practice. Participants took on roles including counsel, witnesses, usher, clerk and jury members. The event was collaborative, and involved Journalism student, Martha Walton, reporting on the case proceedings. Students demonstrated impressive preparation, advocacy skills, teamwork, and courtroom etiquette throughout.

The trial was supported by distinguished members of the judiciary and practising professionals, including HH Judge Siddique, HH Judge Murch, Charles Hogan, Family Barrister, 3 Paper Buildings and Samuel Wells, Crown Prosecution Service Paralegal. Their involvement ensured authenticity and provided invaluable insight into professional standards and expectations. Notably, all members of the panel were alumni of Buckingham.

The Mock Trial concluded with a successful outcome for the Prosecution, whose case ultimately proved persuasive before the jury. Through clear advocacy, structured examination of witnesses, and a confident closing speech, the Prosecution counsel, Dipanjali Samoo, effectively established their argument and addressed the key issues in dispute. An outstanding performance was also offered by the Defence team, led by first-year LLB students, Henry Brown and Junior Counsel, Ornella Drake. The jury returned a verdict in favour of the prosecution, reflecting the strength of the evidence presented and the professionalism demonstrated throughout the proceedings.

Student feedback from the day

Student feedback highlighted just how valuable the experience was:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this incredible opportunity. I recognise how fortunate we are to be able to take part in experiences such as the mock trial, which go far beyond the classroom and offer invaluable insight into the realities of legal practice.”

“It was a really valuable and enjoyable experience, and I learned a lot from taking part. It was a great opportunity to build confidence and learn skills that I think we don’t often get to practice in a classroom setting. The experience itself was still extremely worthwhile, and everyone involved took it seriously. I’m very grateful to have been given the chance to participate.”

Feedback from Alumni and guests

We were also honoured to receive feedback from our Alumni Judges, mentors and guests, who were highly impressed with the professionalism and ability demonstrated by our students:

“I think it was a very successful day, with a high level of preparation by the three advocates. I am very pleased to see that this event is proving to be popular. It was not available when I was a student and I think it brings huge benefits to those who are able to take part.”

“It was a real treat to hear from the next generation of legal talent – so inspiring and humbling. They are incredibly lucky to have such talented mentors and lecturers and the opportunity to take part in such events!”

Thank you to everyone involved in organising, mentoring, and supporting the event.

Special thanks to the law team: Professor Adolfo Paolini, Julie O’Shea, Charley-Anne Gordon, Dr Jessica Walsh and Nicki Stuchbury. Thanks also to colleagues from the Alumni Office, Journalism, Estates, IT, Security, Catering, Library, and many others. The Mock Trial continues to be a top experiential learning opportunity, bridging academic study with real-world legal practice.

We look forward to building on this success in future events.

The School of Computing recently hosted a Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) event, welcoming organisations from across the county to explore current cyber security challenges and solutions.

As part of the event, Dr Hisham Al Assam, Reader in Computing, delivered an interactive workshop focused on strengthening business resilience against the growing threat of ransomware. The session demonstrated recent tactics used by cyber criminals and provided practical insights into how attacks unfold in real-world scenarios.

Adopting a hands-on approach, the workshop guided participants through the critical lifecycle of a cyber incident, covering prevention, detection and response. Attendees worked through realistic scenarios designed to help them leave better prepared to protect their organisations.

The session also explored how businesses can prepare for ransomware attacks through a multi-level security strategy, improved staff awareness and clear incident response planning, reinforcing the importance of proactive and structured cyber resilience.

This marks the third BBF workshop hosted by the School of Computing in as many years, underscoring the School’s commitment to knowledge exchange, business engagement, and support for local businesses.

The University’s Library has received a gift of approximately 60 titles from the personal library of the late Oleg Gordievsky CMG DLitt, strengthening its Security and Intelligence collection.

The Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at Buckingham runs undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a range of topics including security, intelligence, cyber, international law and diplomacy. The collection will be valuable to students, researchers, and practitioners studying intelligence history, Cold War international relations, security policy, authoritarian systems, and democratic resilience. It also complements existing holdings within the University Library’s security-focused collections.

This contribution includes books on the history of intelligence services and operations, memoirs and academic journals focusing on this field, published in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The distinction of this collection is its incredible provenance: it comes from the highest-ranking KGB officer who had ever worked for the British. Gordievsky, arguably, was the most important intelligence source of both British and Americans during the final years of the Cold War.

In 2007, the late Queen conferred the honour of a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) on Gordievsky for “services to the security of the United Kingdom”. It was the same honour as was “given” to the fictional hero James Bond.

Sergei Cristo MA, a friend of the late Mr Gordievsky, and a PhD Researcher in Security and Intelligence Studies at Buckingham, who organised the transfer of books, spoke at the ceremony:

“Oleg was a real British hero. He risked his life every day for 11 years, from 1974 to 1985, to provide intelligence of exceptional strategic value to the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), which was also shared with the Americans at the highest level. What drove Gordievsky was his desire for Russia to be free from totalitarian oppression, and to become democratic. In 2005, speaking at the ceremony to accept his honorary doctorate degree at this university, Gordievsky spoke about the importance of advancing and defending democratic values, even, and especially, at moments of profound geopolitical danger. His words ring true with strength today.

His legacy will live on here at Buckingham through this collection of specialist literature, which provide historical and intellectual context for understanding how democratic states have previously confronted systemic authoritarian threats. They will help raise a new generation of security professionals and defenders of democracy.”

Also speaking of the donation, Professor Julian Richards, Director of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, stated:

“It was an honour to receive the collection of books from the personal collection of the late Oleg Gordievsky. Thank you to our doctoral candidate Sergei and friends for making the offer, which we were so grateful to accept, and to Malcolm Meaden-Pratt and the Library Team for facilitating the collection. These books will assist the studies and reflections of a new generation of students at Buckingham in the months and years to come.”