Elaine Brown, a University of the West of England (UWE) Schools Outreach Manager, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for pioneering a cybersecurity initiative for young people.
Brown founded Unlock Cyber in 2018 and has since been awarded an MBE for her services to education.
Unlock Cyber was founded to gear students from the South West region towards developing skills and careers in cybersecurity.
The programme involves interactive events and cyber-activities partnering with organisations such as BT, Nationwide, Hargreaves, Lansdown, CGI, Microsoft and the Police Cyber Crime Unit.
Two flagship events are held each year at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus as part of Brown’s cybersecurity initiative.
The next Unlock Cyber event is reportedly set to see 400 young people aged 12-14, they will get the opportunity to participate in 12 different security related activities.
Explaining how Unlock Cyber was founded seven years ago, Brown said: “I was approached by representatives from the cyber industry saying there was a global skills shortage in cyber and that demand was increasing.
“It was clear that unless we developed a talent pipeline, we wouldn’t have people in the UK to rely on for these important roles.
“Employers were keen to create activities they could deliver to schools, at a time when the curriculum involved very little cyber.
“We wanted to excite and inspire young people aged 12 upwards to come along and find out what cyber security was all about. The employers created hands-on problem-solving activities for the pupils to try.
“We’ve built on it since 2018 and the demand from schools is increasing year on year.
“We’ve already got schools from across the region registering for our events in January and June 2026.”
Speaking about her award, Brown articulated: “It was such a surprise and honour to be recognised for doing something that I am so passionate about.
“It is also an acknowledgement to all the incredible people in our partner organisations who we work with that enable Unlock Cyber to be successful.”
Phil Legg, Professor of Cyber Security, UWE Bristol said: “Elaine’s work on developing the Unlock Cyber programme at UWE has been instrumental for growing schools’ outreach across the region in cybersecurity.
“Unlock Cyber as a regional network has also facilitated ways for UWE to support and upskill teachers in cyber education whilst developing deeper collaborations with regional industry across outreach, education and research.
“I am immensely proud of the work that Elaine has achieved in the growth and recognition of the Unlock Cyber programme at UWE.
“This award is very much a testament to her commitment to improve the opportunities available for the next generation.”
