Buckingham welcomes partnership with OpenBright Foundation to support women in Computing
5 March 2026
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.