Marian Petre facts for kids

Marian Petre (born 1959) is a British computer scientist. She is a Professor of Computing at the Open University. She also leads the Centre for Research in Computing (CRC) there. She is known for her work on how people use computers. She helped create ideas about "cognitive dimensions of notations." This helps us understand how easy or hard computer tools are to use.

Education and Early Career

Marian Petre earned her PhD in computer science in 1989. She studied at University College London. A PhD is a very high university degree.

In 1990, she started her academic career. She worked at the Institute for Perception Research (IPO) in the Netherlands.

Research and Contributions

Later, Marian Petre joined the Open University in Britain. There, she worked with Thomas R.G. Green. Together, they developed the idea of cognitive dimensions of notations. This idea helps people design computer programs and tools. It makes them easier for humans to understand and use.

Understanding Computer Tools

Her work focuses on how people think when they use computers. She studies how different ways of showing information affect how well people can work with it. This includes looking at "Visual Programming Environments." These are ways to create computer programs using pictures and diagrams instead of just text.

Awards and Recognition

At the Open University, Marian Petre became a Professor of Computing. She received a special award called the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. This award recognized her important research. Her studies looked at how people design computer software.