Karen Rafferty facts for kids

Karen Rafferty is a leading expert in computer science. She is the Head of the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland. She uses exciting technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality to help people in health care and to make machines work better.

Early Life and Learning

Karen Rafferty grew up in Dungannon, County Tyrone. She went to St. Patrick's Girls Academy. Later, she studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen's University Belfast.

After working for a year in industry, she earned her master's degree in 1999. She then continued her studies, focusing on how computers can understand and process images. Her PhD research looked at ways to check if airport landing lights were working correctly using special computer techniques.

After finishing her PhD, Dr. Rafferty became a teacher at the university. She found new ways to teach, even bringing computer graphics and animation into her engineering classes. Since 2000, she has been very interested in virtual and augmented reality, especially how these technologies can use not just sight, but also other senses to create amazing experiences.

Her Work and Discoveries

Dr. Rafferty became a lecturer at Queen's University Belfast. She became very interested in virtual reality and how it can give you a sense of touch, called "tactile feedback."

Her research helps in many areas:

• Health and Training: She uses VR to train doctors or help patients.
• Industry and Automation: She helps make factories and machines smarter and safer.

She is also part of a project called Performance without Barriers. This project uses technology to help more people enjoy and take part in music and performances.

In 2016, Dr. Rafferty became the Deputy Head of her school. Then, in 2018, she was promoted to Head of School. She also works as the Athena Swan coordinator for her school. This means she helps make sure everyone, especially women, has equal chances in science and engineering.

Dr. Rafferty also helps judge the Belfast Telegraph IT awards. In 2019, she announced that forty full scholarships would be given for students to study cybersecurity at Queen's University Belfast.

Awards and Honours

Dr. Karen Rafferty has received several important awards:

• 2005 Royal Academy of Engineering Teaching Award
• 2011 Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers Award
• 2011 Institution of Engineering and Technology Innovation Award
• 2018 Queen’s University of Belfast Students Union Most Inspiring and Motivating Teaching Staff Members
• 2019 Springer Best Paper Award

See also

In Spanish: Karen Rafferty para niños