Royal Institution Masterclasses in Computer Science: Year 10, 2021

The RIMC team

We will try to give you an idea, each week, who you will be meeting from the wider team behind this event series. This is given on each day's page. We are running sessions for both a year 9 and year 10 chohort on each date, so sometimes you won't meet everyone who's working that day as they might be with the other cohort. Or we might do a last minute swap around. But we hope it gives you a chance to get to know us a little. Just as we'd like to get to know you.

Isaac Dunn

Third-year doctoral research student at the University of Oxford.

Isaac’s research concerns the evaluation and development of trustworthy machine learning systems. Isaac trained and spent two years teaching at a secondary school as part of the Teach First Leadership Development Programme before changing focus to the pursuit of computer science research.

Last course taken: A course looking at research problems in the governance of AI

Favourite snack? Red grapes (but they have to be fresh enough)

Most unusual job held: Steward at music festivals

Suzanna Marsh

Head of Outreach and Communications, Department of Computer Science.

Suzanna has worked in outreach for over 10 years, across two Universities. Before that she worked in the publishing industry. She has an undergraduate degree in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University, and completed a postgraduate qualification in Public Relations at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Her current job involves helping academics to communicate their scientific research to the public, and organising programmes to help young people find out more about computer science and what it's like to study it at University. Suzanna studied for A-Levels at a state school in Dorset, and was the first in her family to go to university.

Last course taken: Does my toddler's 'Monkey Music' class count? I've been going regularly with her.

Favourite snack? Peanut Slab (a New Zealand chocolate bar).

Most unusual job held: I ran a publication called 'OBScene'. It was the university's official student newspaper.

Sarah Baldwin

Outreach and Communications Assistant, Department of Computer Science.

Sarah has worked in a number of different roles across the University for the last few years. Before that she did an undergraduate degree in English at the University of Central Lancashire, and completed an MA in Victorian Literature at the University of Leeds. She also spent a year teaching English as a foreign language in Thailand. She has a cat called Arlo, and really enjoys playing board games. Her current role involves helping young people find out more about computer science and what it is like to study at University, as well as helping academics to communicate their scientific research. Sarah is from Wolverhampton, and attended a non-selective state school. She is the first in her family to go to university.

Last course taken: Probably something with spreadsheets but I have self-taught a number of things!

Favourite snack? A difficult question as there are too many. Anything chocolate/cake related.

Most unusual job held: I spent three weeks ordering silicone prosthetic breasts for the NHS.

Dr. Tapabrata (Rohan) Chakraborty

Senior Outreach and Undergraduate Admissions Officer, Department of Computer Science.

Rohan joined the University of Oxford in a research role in "AI in Healthcare" after completing his PhD in Computer Science in New Zealand. Recently he has taken up a more long term position in student outreach/admissions, as he is passionate about science communication, both for researchers (dissemination in popular media) and students (mentorship to pursue science). He loves to go on nature walks/hikes and is a member of the Oxford University Walking Club. Rohan's home country is India and he is the first person from his immediate family to go abroad for his studies and continue on to a PhD degree (now his younger brother has done the same!).

Favourite snacks: ANZAC cookies (from student days in New Zealand.)

Last course taken: Advanced Teaching and Learning (ATL) course at Oxford University.

Most unusual job held: I used to be a factory engineer in a decrepit coal thermal power plant more than a decade ago in India.