Mark Martin is a British Computer Science Teacher,

educational technology Educational technology (commonly abbreviated as edutech, or edtech) is the combined use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning and teaching. When referred to with its abbreviation, "EdTech" ...

evangelist and founder of UK Black Tech. He was awarded an MBE in the

2019 Birthday Honours The 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as ...

. In 2018 Martin was awarded the Diversity Champion Award at the London Tech Week TechXLR8 Awards and in 2019 was honoured by the

Mayor of London The mayor of London is the chief executive of the Greater London Authority. The role was created in 2000 after the Greater London devolution referendum in 1998, and was the first directly elected mayor in the United Kingdom. The current ...

for his efforts to increase diversity in technological professions.

Early life and education

Martin attended

Carshalton College South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) is a large further education institution that operates four colleges in south-west London: South Thames College, Kingston College, Merton College, and Carshalton College. The four main campuses are in Wandswort ...

and studied information technology. He moved to

South Thames College South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) is a large further education institution that operates four colleges in south-west London: South Thames College, Kingston College, Merton College, and Carshalton College. The four main campuses are in Wandswort ...

for his

General National Vocational Qualification A General National Vocational Qualification, or GNVQ, was a certificate of vocational education in the United Kingdom. The last GNVQs were awarded in 2007. The qualifications related to occupational areas in general, rather than any specific ...

in Information Technology and Computer Maintenance. Martin worked with young people in Dulwich and Peckham before joining the teaching profession in 2004. Alongside his teaching he worked toward a bachelor's degree at the

University of Surrey The University of Surrey is a public research university in Guildford, Surrey, England. The university received its Royal Charter, royal charter in 1966, along with a Plate glass university, number of other institutions following recommendations ...

where he earned a computer science degree in 2005. Martin was a trainee teacher at

Harris Academy South Norwood Harris Academy South Norwood is a city academy in South Norwood, London, for students of both sexes aged 11–18. The school was designated as a Business and Enterprise College by the Department for Education and Skills when it was formerly cal ...

. His experience at the

Harris Academy Harris Academy is a co-educational comprehensive school in the affluent residential area of West End, Dundee, West End of Dundee, Scotland. Harris Academy was founded in 1885 and is the oldest state school in Dundee. Previously academically-se ...

inspired him to work toward a master's degree in education at

London South Bank University London South Bank University (LSBU) is a public university in Elephant and Castle, London. It is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name. Founded in 1892 as the Borough Po ...

. Shortly after he graduated Martin joined Phoenix High School, Shepherds Bush, where he introduced a

virtual learning environment Virtual may refer to: * Virtual image, an apparent image of an object (as opposed to a real object), in the study of optics * Virtual (horse), a thoroughbred racehorse * Virtual channel, a channel designation which differs from that of the actual ...

. To encourage young people to engage with the VLE Martin included games and video lessons.

Career

Martin is concerned about the rise of inequality in UK education. Martin founded ''Urban Teacher'', a platform and social media handle
@Urban_Teacher
where he shares innovations in

. In 2016 Martin co-founded
UK Black Tech
', a group of tech experts who are committed to increasing black and minority ethnic representation in UK technology, with David McQueen. In 2018 Martin partnered with

PricewaterhouseCoopers PricewaterhouseCoopers, also known as PwC, is a multinational professional services network based in London, United Kingdom. It is the second-largest professional services network in the world and is one of the Big Four accounting firms, alon ...

to inspire and train more young people from minority ethnic backgrounds in computer science. Martin is a part-time teacher at

South Bank Engineering UTC South Bank University Sixth Form is a sixth form centre with academy status located in the Brixton area of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Established in 2016, the institution was previously known as South Bank Engineering UTC and the ...

. As part of this he invites students from

to mentor high school students. In 2019 Martin was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to education, technology and diversity.

Awards and honours

His awards and honours include; * 2018 London Tech Week TechXLR8 * 2019 Tech Nation 50 Most Inspiring, Prominent and Influential Black Voices * 2019

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

* 2022 UKtech50 2022: The most influential people in UK technology * 2022 DIVERSITY POWER LIST HONOURS UK’S 50

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Mark Alumni of London South Bank University Schoolteachers from London 21st-century British educators Members of the Order of the British Empire Year of birth missing (living people) Living people