A Derry expert in AI is among three new Visiting Professor appointments at Ulster University.

Derry woman Dr Kathryn Harkin, who is Head of AI Northern Ireland at NTT DATA, is joining the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment.

Kathryn is joined by Thom Kenney and Gordon Parkes, who join the Ulster University Business School.

As Visiting Professors, they will share their extensive professional expertise with students and staff, contribute to curriculum development, support research and innovation activity, and help strengthen partnerships between academia, industry, and government.

Bringing expertise across artificial intelligence, digital transformation and people leadership, Dr Harkin, Mr Parkes and Mr Kenney will, the University states, “strengthen the University's teaching, research and collaboration with industry".

Dr Harkin is an AI and technology leader with more than 30 years’ experience. As well as being Head of AI Northern Ireland at NTT DATA, she is also Chair of the Advisory Board of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre.

Her career spans software engineering, data science, AI strategy and executive leadership, including senior roles at FinTrU and Allstate Northern Ireland, where she established and led the company's Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence.

In her Visiting Professor role, Kathryn will support research, teaching and industry engagement activities linked to AIPlus, a research centre of excellence within the CADRIC Derry and Strabane Region City Deal innovation project. She will help connect academic innovation with practical business and societal challenges.

Dr Kathryn Harkin said: “I am delighted to take up this Visiting Professorship at Ulster University. I have worked with colleagues in the School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems for well over a decade and have always valued their collaborative approach, their support and their commitment to ensuring that teaching and research remain closely connected to industry needs.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to give something back by sharing the experience I have gained from building AI teams and applying new technologies to deliver practical outcomes at scale in regulated industries. I hope this experience will further strengthen the connection between research, innovation and real-world application at Ulster, while supporting students, researchers and the wider work of AIPlus and CARL. We share a strong commitment to the responsible and sustainable use of AI and a belief in the potential of the North West to create opportunities through education, innovation and emerging technologies. I would be delighted to contribute to that ambition in whatever way I can.”

Thom Kenney is the former Director of AI and Digital Transformation at Google and Gordon Parkes is Executive Director of People & Culture at NIE Networks.

Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Ulster University Business School said: “The appointments of Kathryn, Thom and Gordon as Visiting Professors bring a wealth of knowledge and strategic leadership experience to Ulster University, reflecting our ambition to provide a transformative educational experience that is informed by real-world expertise and shaped by the needs of industry and society. Through their engagement with our students, researchers and academic teams, they will help strengthen the University's impact regionally and internationally while inspiring the next generation of leaders and innovators."