Professor Judy Robertson, Chair in Digital Learning at Moray House School of Education and Sport, received the prestigious 2025 Chancellor's Award for Teaching for her innovative work in data literacy and AI literacy for schoolchildren. The awardsThe Chancellor's Awards were introduced in 2023 to recognise research and have since grown to include four awards categories:TeachingResearchRising starOutstanding ContributionsThis year's awards were presented by the Chancellor, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, at a gala dinner that took place at Holyrood Palace on 21 January.Alongside Professor Robertson, the three other winners of the 2025 Chancellor’s Awards are Professor Stuart Forbes, Dr Sally Shaw and Professor Michael Shipton. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor (centre) with the 2025 Chancellor's Award winners: (left to right) Professor Stuart Forbes, Dr Sally Shaw, Professor Judy Robertson and Professor Michael Shipton I am delighted to express my congratulations to Professor Judy Robertson on receiving the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Teaching. This honour reflects her exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to education at our University. Judy’s work exemplifies the commitment to excellence that defines Moray House School of Education and Sport. We deeply appreciate her inspiring impact on our community and in the wider field of education. Professor Carol Campbell Head of School, Moray House School of Education and Sport Professor Judy RobertsonProfessor Roberson is a computer scientist and learning technologist with a focus on interdisciplinary research, and an interest in methodologies for designing technology that is created with and for children. Judy designs and evaluates educational technology in real-world classroom settings, employing a user-centred design approach along with rigorous qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A University of Edinburgh alumna, she holds a BSc Honours degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, as well as a PhD in Artificial Intelligence.Judy's work significantly impacts the lives of teachers and schoolchildren in their daily classroom experiences, with her widely recognised books being incorporated into their teaching practices. Judy recalled a moment when she truly realised the effect of her work: "I was at a teacher event, and during the Q&A, a teacher put up her hand and recommended the Teach Data Literacy handbook I wrote. She said she uses it all the time for her classes, and it's really easy to use. I will admit, I got a warm fuzzy feeling then. " Making Data Literacy and AI accessibleProfessor Robertson’s award recognises her work on data literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy for schoolchildren. At one level, it's quite overwhelming because I didn't expect to get such an award. Then I remember that in a sense it's also celebrating the collective efforts of my amazing colleagues in the Data Education in Schools team, and it makes perfect sense! Professor Judy Robertson Chair in Digital Learning Professor Robertson and her team provide professional learning on data and AI to make them accessible to teachers, linking what they already do in their practice to these new subjects. Professor Robertson said, "We also take pride in making fun, engaging activities to encourage kids with a wide range of interests to get hooked on computing topics. We have great fun making them, and they're popular too - we've had 73,000 plays of our popular online lessons."Building on their previous research, Professor Robertson and her team will continue to support AI literacy by collaborating with teachers throughout Scotland.Related information:Professor Judy RobertsonChancellor’s AwardsDigital Education Tags Celebrations and ceremonies Children and young people Technology and AI Publication date 27 Jan, 2026
