Tech Trailblazer: Debbie Rankin, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Course Director, MSc Data Science, Ulster University

Absolutely - computing was my favourite subject at school and the only thing I ever wanted to study. I went straight into a Computing degree at Ulster, then a PhD in iris biometrics, and haven’t looked back. What really shaped my path was getting hands-on experience early on, moving from academic study into industry, and then returning to teach and lead research with real-world impact. 

 What would you consider to be the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of your job?

I love the variety - teaching subjects I’m passionate about, guiding students into great careers, and leading research that genuinely improves lives. My work ranges from applying AI to better understand lung cancer, to tackling mental health inequalities through lifestyle-focused tools, to creating synthetic health data that enables safe, ethical innovation. I collaborate with public health teams, clinicians, start-ups, patients and policymakers and knowing our work can lead to earlier diagnoses, fairer healthcare, and better policy is incredibly rewarding. 

In terms of career development, how important is it to build a professional network and attend industry events?

It’s been crucial to my career - both in research and teaching. Networking opens doors to new collaborations, funding opportunities and fresh ideas that shape my research. It also ensures my teaching stays relevant, bringing industry voices into the classroom, securing student prizes and placements, and aligning what we teach with the skills employers really need. 

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How much impact can a mentor have on your personal development?  

A huge one. I have had brilliant mentors throughout my journey, in academia and industry, who have offered encouragement, challenged me, and opened doors I might never have found on my own. Having different mentors at different stages helped me grow in confidence, stretch beyond my comfort zone, and stay grounded in what matters. 

What guidance would you offer to any young person on why they should consider a career in technology?

I’ve loved computing since school -it’s what I always wanted to do. Technology isn’tjust about coding (though it’s a part I love) -it’s about solving problems, helping people and shaping the future. Whether it’s improving healthcare, tackling climate change or designing the next big thing, there is no limit to where it can take you. If you want a career that’s creative, challenging and genuinely impactful, there’s a place for you in tech. I always tell students: if you want to make a difference in the world, technology is one of the most powerful tools you can use. 

What advice would you give to women considering a career change or return to work but are daunted by the prospect of working in what can be perceived as a male-dominated industry?

I have never let that perception hold me back, and neither should you. I have worked in many male-dominated teams but always found respect and support. What the industry needs now is more balance. Women bring essential perspectives to tech and the more of us there are, the better the industrybecomes.At Ulster, we see many women taking our MSc conversion programme in Professional Software Development to completely change careers and they thrive. It’s never too late to try something new, and the opportunities in tech are both exciting and wide open.Whether you're changing careers or returning after a break, there is a space for you here and your skills, life experience and fresh perspective are incredibly valuable. 

For those who may not come from a STEM background, what other career opportunities exist within the tech sector beyond software engineering?

Tech isn’t just for coders. In my work, I’ve collaborated with people from many backgrounds such as healthcare, policy, design, ethics and communication, all playing critical roles in developing technology solutions. We need people who understand users, who can manage projects, test systems, shape policy or make sure what we build is ethical and inclusive. Whether you are creative, organised, analytical or people-focused,there’s a place for you in tech.