I'm Sophie Deen, the founder and CEO of Bright Little Labs - a kids media company. We use stories to teach coding alongside other 21st century skills like creativity, critical thinking, empathy, spotting fake news, staying safe online, surviving the apocalypse, and the power of a good emoji.
21st-century skills are important. By 2050, at least 50% of the jobs we know today will be automated.
The skills gap is global, growing and exacerbates inequalities. Fewer girls take computer science now than 10 years ago + only 14% of the STEM workforce is BAME. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of stories, role models and toilet humour to inspire the next generation.
Before starting Bright Little Labs I worked alongside Code Club, Google and the Department for Education to introduce the computing curriculum intro primary schools in England, and that’s where my love of tech really grew. As a former lawyer, techie and children’s play therapist, I am passionate about creative education and positive role models for kids.
Our work has been recognised by my mum and the industry too: Creative Industries Entrepreneur of the Year for London & East of England 2020, Campaign Female Frontier Honouree 2020; one of Computer Weekly’s ‘Most influential Women in UK IT’ 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017; shortlisted for the Women in Tech ‘Editors Choice’ Award 2019 and BT Tech4Good Diversity Award, London Tech Week ‘Changemaker’ in 2018, Barclays/Everywoman ‘Startup Founder of the Year’ 2017 and winner of the EDF Pulse Award, BIMA Top 100 in 2016. The Detective Dot Megapack was named the top coding toy for kids by The Sun in 2019, the Evening Standard in 2018 and by the Independent in 2017.
This person hasn’t uploaded content yet