18 Jun 2025

Driving Digital Skills and Diversity in STEM: Elizabeth Barr, Cisco

President’s Awards insights: Society Award finalist, Elizabeth Barr from Cisco

As Head of the Cisco Networking Academy for the UK, Ireland, and Nordics, Elizabeth Barr is a key force in shaping the future of digital education. Her work is transforming how people from all walks of life gain access to essential technology skills, from networking and cybersecurity to programming and artificial intelligence.

Overseeing a network of more than 500 partner organisations and 1,300 educators, Elizabeth’s leadership impacts over 125,000 students annually. Under her guidance, the Cisco Networking Academy delivers industry-recognised certifications, such as CCNA and CCST, which open doors to in-demand tech careers. Importantly, the programme extends beyond traditional classrooms, reaching schools, charities, and even prisons, ensuring that digital skills training is accessible and inclusive.

A passionate advocate for diversity in tech, Elizabeth is also a board member of Women of Cisco UK & Ireland, where she leads the STEM Outreach pillar. Her efforts focus on engaging students from underrepresented groups and encouraging them to consider careers in science and technology - work that is both timely and vital in an industry striving for greater inclusivity.

Among the standout initiatives led or supported by Elizabeth is Cisco Cyber Camps, launched in collaboration with The Open University. These free, remote programmes provide cybersecurity training for UK students aged 13–19 who identify as female or non-binary. Offering practical skills and career insights from industry professionals, the camps help build a more diverse talent pipeline into cybersecurity.

Elizabeth has also been instrumental in projects that extend digital literacy to wider communities. In Greater Manchester, she has worked to strengthen small business resilience through free cybersecurity training delivered in partnership with the Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH). And in response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, she helped launch a partnership with BT to deliver online digital skills courses to Ukrainian women and other learners in Ireland, helping them integrate and rebuild their careers.

Her impact on education extends to national efforts as well. During National Apprenticeship Week, she spotlighted the Cisco Networking Academy’s role in preparing apprentices for the tech workforce. Each year, around 4,000 UK apprentices take part in the programme, which has reached over 500,000 learners since its inception in the UK. The Academy’s industry-aligned curriculum plays a crucial role in narrowing the digital skills gap, offering practical training that matches the needs of today’s technology employers.

Elizabeth also actively contributes to STEM education policy and advocacy. She has participated in key discussions at the National STEM Learning Centre, and supporting the ‘I Belong’ initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in computing education.

Through her tireless work, Elizabeth Barr is not only driving digital skills development but also shaping a more inclusive and future-ready tech landscape. Her leadership is helping individuals and communities gain the tools they need to succeed in a digital world, and ensuring no one is left behind.

To read more about the techUK President's Awards, visit our page here. Winners will be announced at the techUK Annual Dinner on 1 July.

Driving Digital Skills and Diversity in STEM: Elizabeth Barr, Cisco

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