Professor Roya Rahimi was named the winner of the Tech For Good Award at the seventh National Women in Tech Awards 2026. The ceremony took place on Saturday 3 October at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre.
The award specifically recognises her contributions through the British Council-funded ELEVATE project. This initiative leverages digital technology and artificial intelligence to assist women entrepreneurs who were impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye. The project aims to strengthen their businesses, foster skill development, and enhance their long-term economic resilience.
Professor Rahimi expressed her honour at the national recognition, stating: “I am truly honoured to receive this national recognition. I believe the real value of technology is measured not by how advanced it becomes, but by how much it improves people's lives. Technology should empower people, create opportunities and drive meaningful, lasting change.”
The National Women in Tech Awards aim to celebrate female talent, innovation, and leadership within the UK's technology sector. This year's event saw 148 finalists acknowledged across 17 distinct categories, encompassing fields such as academia, artificial intelligence, cyber security, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and technology innovation.
Following an independent judging process, seventeen winners were selected. Professor Rahimi represented the University of Wolverhampton, securing the top spot in the Tech For Good category. The awards, now in their seventh year, focus on increasing the visibility of women in technology and highlighting industry role models. The 2026 event, themed #WomenShapingTech, convened finalists, business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals from across the nation.
