Elizabeth Sparrow facts for kids
Elizabeth Sparrow is a British expert in computer technology. She specializes in helping organizations manage big changes and work well with other companies that provide services (this is called outsourcing). She used to be the president of a major computer organization called BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
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Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Sparrow was born in west London, England. She went to Notting Hill and Ealing High School.
She studied mathematics at the University of Southampton, earning her first degree in 1973. Later, in 1975, she earned a master's degree in information studies from the University of Sheffield.
She also has a special diploma in accounting and finance.
Her Career in Technology
Elizabeth Sparrow started her career at the British Library. In 1980, she led a project to turn many old library catalogs into computer files. This was a big step for libraries!
Over 30 years, Elizabeth worked in information technology. She helped many public and private organizations make big improvements. She became very good at working with companies that provide services from outside (outsourcing).
At the Crown Prosecution Service, she helped manage a large change program. This involved not only the CPS but also the police and courts. As the IT Director at the Home Office, she led a major project to update their computer systems. She also started a new way of funding projects called a private finance initiative.
Elizabeth Sparrow is a special member (called a Fellow) of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Professional and Volunteer Work
At BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Elizabeth led a group that looked at offshoring. This is when companies move some of their work to other countries. Her group saw this as both a challenge and a chance for the UK's technology industry. They suggested ways for the UK to deal with globalization. Elizabeth has often written and spoken about how offshoring affects technology.
Elizabeth Sparrow was the President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for 17 months, from 2009 to 2011. She focused on helping people trust technology more. She wanted everyone to use information better in their daily lives. She also aimed to help people become more involved in the information society.
She also led an advisory board for the School of Computing and Communications at the Open University.
Elizabeth is a member of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. In 2021 and 2022, she was a trustee for their charity.
She has also been a board member and trustee for several charities. These include AbilityNet, Barts Guild, and Age UK London. She has given talks at many schools in London about water, sanitation, and hygiene. She often speaks about the work of the charity WaterAid.
Elizabeth Sparrow has also created lessons for schools about science and technology.
Awards and Recognition
- In 1989, she won the Gardner Merchant Award. This was for an essay she wrote about women and taking a career break.
- In 2008, The Open University gave her an honorary doctorate. This was for her public service and her work in education.
- In 2012, Kingston University gave her an honorary doctor of science degree. This was to recognize her amazing contributions to her profession.
