Margaret joined WMG in 1988 as a member of the simulation and modelling team, designing and developing a variety of engineering applications, as well as contributing to teaching on WMG’s Full-Time MSc courses. Margaret teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate modules, such as Advanced Robotics, Computer Programming, Information Modelling and Systems Analysis and eBusiness Fundamentals
In addition to teaching, Margaret is also the Widening Participation Officer for WMG, co-ordinating activities across the department and collaborating with other colleagues within the University. In this role, Margaret has organised a number of outreach and other activities for children in local schools. Projects include the Engaging young people with assistive technologies using 3D printing and CAD and Engaging Young Learners in CAD and 3D Printing. CAD teaching resources created during these projects are freely available on each project website.
Margaret is a Chartered Engineer and IT Professional within the British Computer Society (BCS) and is Education Liaison Officer for the Coventry branch. In 2016 Margaret was awarded an HEA National Teaching Fellowship. Other awards include the Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence in 2014, and the Faculty of Science Public Engagement Award in recognition of her teaching and outreach activities.
In 2008, realising the potential of Scratch, Margaret began using it for school outreach activities, running workshops for teachers and pupils, and she also created the Technology Volunteers project to include Warwick students in these activities. The workshops Margaret has developed are used by the Technology Volunteers in local primary and secondary schools to introduce software development to 200-250 children each year.
Since 2010 Margaret has been an active working member of Computing at Schools (CAS), a national grass roots organisation, drawing its membership largely from academics, teachers, and IT professionals, whose aim is to improve how Computer Science is taught in secondary schools.