Liz Bacon


Liz Bacon is a British computer scientist and academic leader. She is a Professor of Computer Science and currently serves as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Chartered Engineer, Chartered IT Professional and Chartered Scientist; she is known for her work in artificial intelligence, technology-enhanced learning, and STEM diversity advocacy. Bacon has held prominent leadership roles, including past President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and was named one of the most influential women in UK IT.

Early life and education

Bacon was born in Redhill, Surrey, and grew up in Kenley. She studied Computer science at Thames Polytechnic, completing an industrial placement at CERN during her degree and graduating in 1986. She earned her PhD in Artificial intelligence from the University of Greenwich in 1993.

Academic career

Before joining Abertay University, Bacon held senior roles at the University of Greenwich, including Professor of Software Engineering and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor. She joined Abertay in 2018 as a Professor of Computer Science and served as Deputy Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor until she was appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor in May 2022.

Professional leadership

Bacon is a past President of both:
She was the inaugural Chair of the BCS Academy of Computing and chaired the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing. She has served as a Trustee and Director of Bletchley Park Trust, and currently sits on the Board of V&A Dundee and JISC’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Honors and recognition

Bacon is an advocate for digital education, the societal impact of AI, and diversity in STEM. During her BCS presidency, she founded STELLAR, a senior women’s network aimed at increasing female participation in STEM careers.

Research impact

Bacon’s research has significantly influenced the fields of technology-enhanced learning, artificial intelligence, and computer science education. Her work has focused on developing immersive learning environments and applying AI to improve educational outcomes, particularly in areas such as crisis management, eHealth, and serious games. She has coordinated multiple European Commission-funded projects under FP7 and Horizon 2020, contributing to international standards for computing education and quality assurance. Bacon has published extensively, and is frequently invited to speak worldwide on topics including digital education, the impact of AI, and diversity in STEM.

Selected publications