Availability dot

Available to book

Tech evangelist & AI ethics advocate

Sue Black

Explore digital inclusion and AI ethics with Sue Black OBE, technology evangelist and computer science professor. Sue empowers organisations to implement responsible AI practices and develop diverse tech talent through practical frameworks. Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech who founded award-winning initiatives TechUPWomen and #techmums.

Trusted by Google, Microsoft, United Nations, The Royal Society, Women in Tech Global Conference

Sue Black, Speaker | Tech Evangelist & Professor
Sue Black

Sue Black

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

Get Sue's availability

Availability dot
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Book Sue

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Sue Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Sue Black's biography

At a glance

  • Professor of Computer Science at Durham University
  • Founder of TechUPWomen and #techmums initiatives
  • Campaigner who successfully saved Bletchley Park
Professor Sue Black OBE is a pioneering computer scientist, social entrepreneur, and internationally respected technology evangelist. With over 25 years of experience driving change at the intersection of technology, inclusion, and social impact, she has become one of the UK’s most recognisable advocates for diversity and digital empowerment. A Professor of Computer Science at Durham University, Sue’s work focuses on ethical innovation, digital inclusion, and bias in AI. Her extraordinary personal journey—from leaving school at sixteen and becoming a single mother of three, to earning an OBE from King Charles for services to technology—has made her a symbol of resilience and social mobility. Sue led the groundbreaking campaign to save Bletchley Park, home of the WWII codebreakers, using the power of social media to secure its future as a world-class heritage and education centre. She founded TechUPWomen, a multi-award-winning programme retraining hundreds of women from underserved communities into tech careers, and established initiatives such as BCSWomen and #techmums. Sue helps organisations navigate technological transformation by addressing critical challenges in responsible AI implementation, digital inclusion, and workforce development. Her expertise in identifying and mitigating algorithmic bias enables companies to build more ethical tech products, while her insights on digital skills gaps help organisations create effective upskilling strategies that reach overlooked talent pools. Audiences gain practical frameworks for implementing responsible AI practices, strategies for building truly inclusive tech teams, and actionable approaches to digital transformation that prioritise both innovation and human wellbeing. Sue's personal story of resilience provides leaders with powerful lessons in overcoming institutional barriers. Book Sue for a rare combination of technical expertise and human storytelling that inspires meaningful action, not just awareness, on technology's most pressing challenges.

Sue's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Human Side Of AI And Digital Transformation
Professor Sue Black explores how artificial intelligence can be shaped by human values rather than replace them. Drawing on her experience advising governments and tech leaders, she examines bias, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities that come with innovation. Through relatable stories and research-driven insight, she shows how organisations can build more inclusive, transparent systems that serve society as well as business.
Women In Tech: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
Sue Black examines the barriers women continue to face in technology and how they can be dismantled. From founding initiatives that retrain women for digital careers to leading change within academia and policy, she shares hard-earned lessons from her journey. Audiences gain insight into creating environments where women thrive, leadership is diverse, and innovation reflects the whole of society.
Tech For Good: Inclusion, Access, And Empowerment
Sue Black reveals how technology can be a force for equity and empowerment. With examples from her award-winning programmes and campaigns, she illustrates how digital access transforms lives and communities. Audiences learn how inclusive design and grassroots collaboration can unlock potential, expand opportunity, and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
My Journey: From Poverty To Professor
With honesty and humour, Sue Black recounts her unconventional rise from single parent to OBE and Professor of Computer Science. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of education to change lives. Blending personal narrative with professional insight, she challenges audiences to see adversity as a catalyst for innovation and to believe in their capacity to defy expectation.
Saving Bletchley Park: Heritage, Hacking & Heroism
Sue Black shares the remarkable story of how a small online campaign saved Bletchley Park, the wartime home of the codebreakers. Combining historical insight with lessons in leadership and digital mobilisation, she reveals how social media, collaboration, and perseverance secured a national treasure. It’s a powerful exploration of community action, storytelling, and the human drive to protect what matters most.

Why we recommend booking Sue

Sue Black OBE transforms complex tech concepts into accessible insights, drawing on her remarkable journey from school dropout to Professor of Computer Science and Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech to help organisations implement responsible AI practices and build inclusive tech teams. Book Sue for a rare combination of technical expertise and human storytelling that inspires meaningful action on technology's most pressing challenges.

Check Sue's availability

Trusted by Google, Microsoft, United Nations, The Royal Society, Women in Tech Global Conference

Testimonials

Sue delivered the Keynote address at the finale day of the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge - involving 16 finalists from around the world. Sue's personal journey was truly inspirational; as she demystified AI and offered her unique insight into the evolving world of technology. I couldn't recommend Sue highly enough as an enthusiastic, entertaining, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable speaker.

Paul Blake

FCMI

Perfectly delivered with just the right humour, Professor Black's keynote was a powerful testament to how to make lemonade when the world deals you with lemons. If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, seize it. If you're seeking a keynote speaker to inspire your audience with a can-do attitude, Professor Black is a top choice.

Tony McGurk

Green Tech Entrepreneur, re-universe

I had the privilege to host Professor Sue Black OBE's talk at Singapore Management University (SMU). Prof. Black is a great speaker and she gave an inspiring talk. Many people benefitted from her talk and we enjoyed a very engaging discussion at SMU. She has done much to improve computing and software engineering, and helped many people to acquire computing and technical skills. I'm impressed as to how Prof. Black has managed to help so many people in the community.

David Lo

Professor, Singapore Management University

Featured Projects

Sue Black - Saving Bletchley Park book cover
Sue Black - 100 Moments That Rocked Computer Science podcast cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Sue Black for my next event?
Email sue.black@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Sue's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Sue Black's speaking style like?

Professor Sue Black structures her sessions around personal narrative anchored to programme outcomes, drawing on her own trajectory from school leaver and single mother to OBE recipient alongside documented results from initiatives such as TechUPWomen and the Bletchley Park campaign. This is combined with research-driven analysis of AI bias and digital inclusion, giving audiences both a case-study framework and practical implementation strategies.

What topics does Sue Black specialise in?

Professor Sue Black OBE speaks on the ethics and human dimensions of AI, women's progression and representation in technology, and digital inclusion and access. She holds a professorship in Computer Science at Durham University and was awarded an OBE for services to technology, having also founded TechUPWomen and led the campaign to save Bletchley Park.

What information do I need to provide to book a speaker?

To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

How do I book a speaker with PepTalk?

Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.

I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

How much does it cost to book a speaker through PepTalk?

Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

Can I book a speaker who isn't listed on the PepTalk website?

Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a booking?

Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.