Jenny Coady SFHEA

Jenny is an Associate Professor in Computer Science based in the Edinburgh Campus, Heriot Watt University. In October 2025, Jenny was elected as Dean of the University (Pan-University Constituency) following a competitive election process. Jenny was elected by academic and research staff across all campuses, receiving the highest number of votes in a Single Transferable Vote ballot administered by Civica Election Services. The Pan-University Constituency Dean role is one of three elected Dean positions at Heriot-Watt, governed by Ordinance 1 under the University’s Charter and Statutes. Following updates to Section L in Ordinance 1 in June 2026 Jenny is now Academic Dean (MACS & EGIS). Jenny had previously been Associate Dean (Science and Engineering) from June 2024 - October 2025.

Jenny joined Heriot-Watt in 2005 following 2 years lecturing in Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. She started her academic career at Waterford Institute of Technology - now South-East Technological University (SETU) in Ireland in 2003 where she developed interests in design methodologies, HCI, Information Systems and educational pedagogies.  

Jenny has held several leadership roles (Senior Programme Director, Director of International for MACS, Deputy Head of Computer Science and Director of Learning and Teaching) alongside her teaching and scholarship responsibilities. 

Since being promoted to Associate Professor in 2014 Jenny has developed as an educational leader with a focus on improving the quality of teaching and the students experience through her work within the Global University setting. Jenny chairs the Global Working Group on Mitigating Circumstances and Temporary Suspension of Studies (MCATSS) and Chairs the School Discipline Committee (SDC) and represents the School on the University Discipline Committee (UDC). She is a senior member of the CS team and actively involved in the development of new programmes and articulations cross our international campuses and online. 

Jenny has a focus on quality partnerships within the TNE field and has undertaken several panel events for provisions for both national and international offerings with a number of institutions.

Heriot-Watt University:

• Dean of the University (Pan-University Constituency): October 2025 - Present.
• Associate Dean (Science & Engineering): June 2024-October 2025.
• Global Chair MCATSS Working Group: September 2023 - Present.
• Director of Learning and Teaching, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences: July 2021 - September 2023.
• School Appointed Discipline Chair: July 2021 - Present.
• Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences: January 2021 - July 2021.
• Deputy Head of Computer Science, Edinburgh: July 2019 - December 2020.
• School Appointed Member of the Universities Studies Committee: July 2018 - January 2021.
• Director of International (MACS): January 2015 - January 2019.

External Engagement:

• November / December 2025 – External Validation Panel Member for University of the West of England (UWE) on a suite of Computer Science programmes at UG / PG and Foundation level across the home campus and partnership provisions.
• July 2024 – External Validation Panel Member for London Institute of Banking and Finance for 5 master’s Programmes, 1 Undergraduate Programme and a Foundation Year Programme.
• Sept 2023 - External Validation Panel Member for University of Northampton B.Sc. in Business Information Systems with their partnership with Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT). 
• September 2022 – Present – External Examiner for Staffordshire University M.Sc. Computer Science (Business Computing) and Exceptions Board Panel Member.
• September 2022- Present - External Examiner for Lincoln University Undergraduate dual award B.Sc. Computer Science programme with Latvia University,
• June 2022 – External Validation Panel Member for University of Northampton M.Sc. in Business Information Systems with Epsilon Net College, Greece.
• June 2021 – External Validation Panel Member for The Open University in association with their Partner – The American College of Greece for the Programme B.Sc. (Hons) Management Information Systems.
• September 2017 – July 2021: External Examiner for B.Sc. Computing and M.Sc. Computing for Cardiff Metropolitan University at their Approved Learning Partner CUC in Athens, Greece.
• October 2016 – July 2021: Transferable Skills External Examiner for Cardiff Metropolitan University.