Biography

I graduated from the Heriot Watt University in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS) in 2009 with a first class honors degree in Information Systems.  I was awarded the Cooper Walker Engineering prize for outstanding computing work, the Andrew Stewart prize for most deserving student and I was a finalist for the young software engineer of Scotland award in 2010 .In 2010, I was awarded an internal MACS scholarship for PhD research to further my work on ‘collaborative picturing for system understanding’.  I graduated in 2013 with my PhD on Rich Picture Interpretation. During my PhD research work I was awarded the ‘problem structuring’ steam prize for outstanding contribution to the Operational Research Conference in 2012. I lectured in Information Systems in Edinburgh Napier University in 20I4 and presently teach in Computing Science as an Assistant Professor in MACS at Heriot Watt University.  I won the University's 'Learning and Teaching Oscar' for being a ‘guiding hand’ (most helpful and encouraging lecturer) in 2016.

I am a Fellow of HEA (Higher Educational Academy) and member of AIS (Association of Information Systems) and BCS (British Computer Society).  I regularly review and write articles for system and educational journals. I have most recently published a co-authored book on my research; Rich Pictures: encouraging resilient communities. I am actively involved in encouraging women into computer science and have coordinated many ‘girls into computing’ events in the Department of Computer Sciences at Heriot Watt. In 2019 I took on the role of Direcor of Academic Quality for MACS. 

I have published in international research journals and many pre-print versions of these papers are available for download on my Research Gate page at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tessa_Berg/publications.

 My research video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/ttBqOFF2HEE.

Other collaboration media clips regarding my research can be viewed here:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZH-NKqKF9A

• https://youtu.be/_xjqPmvDHcY

• https://youtu.be/eiCL29e_szA

   

Current research interests

• Problem structuring for information Systems
• System design using visual methods of enquiry
• Online privacy and security for autistic young people.
• Developing a computing badge for girl guides Scotland
• Collaborative pictures to aid understanding of  international student transition

Research students

I currently supervise 3 PhD students. I am happy to consider applications for self-funding or funded/sponsored students wishing to undertake PhD, MPhil or Masters by research projects in my area of research. Potential students interested in undertaking such research should email me in the first instance. 

Consultancy

I have undertaken a range of consultancy projects including delivery of rich picture training to industry, and system requirement evaluation. 

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