Perdita Emma Stevens (born 1966) is a British mathematician,

theoretical computer scientist computer science (TCS) is a subset of general computer science and mathematics that focuses on mathematical aspects of computer science such as the theory of computation, lambda calculus, and type theory. It is difficult to circumscribe the t ...

, and

software engineer Software engineering is a systematic engineering approach to software development. A software engineer is a person who applies the principles of software engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. The term ''p ...

who holds a personal chair in the mathematics of software engineering as part of the School of Informatics at the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

. Her research includes work on

model-driven engineering Model-driven engineering (MDE) is a software development methodology that focuses on creating and exploiting domain models, which are conceptual models of all the topics related to a specific problem. Hence, it highlights and aims at abstract ...

, including

model transformation A model transformation, in model-driven engineering, is an automated way of modifying and creating models. An example use of model transformation is ensuring that a family of models is consistent, in a precise sense which the software engineer can ...

model checking In computer science, model checking or property checking is a method for checking whether a finite-state model of a system meets a given specification (also known as correctness). This is typically associated with hardware or software system ...

, and the

Unified Modeling Language The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a general-purpose, developmental modeling language in the field of software engineering that is intended to provide a standard way to visualize the design of a system. The creation of UML was originally ...

Education and career

Stevens read mathematics at the

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

, earning a bachelor's degree in 1987. She went to the

University of Warwick , mottoeng = Mind moves matter , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £7.0 million (2021) , budget = £698.2 million (202 ...

for graduate study in

abstract algebra In mathematics, more specifically algebra, abstract algebra or modern algebra is the study of algebraic structures. Algebraic structures include groups, rings, fields, modules, vector spaces, lattices, and algebras over a field. The te ...

, earning a master's degree in 1988 and completing a PhD in 1992. Her doctoral dissertation, ''Integral Forms for Weyl Modules of

\mathrm(2,\mathrm)

'', was supervised by Sandy Green. After working in industry as a software engineer, Stevens joined the Department of Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh in 1984. She became a reader there in 2003 and in 2014 was given a personal chair as Professor of Mathematics of Software Engineering.

Books

Stevens is the author of books including: *''Using UML: Software Engineering with Objects and Components'' (with Rob Pooley, Addison-Wesley, 1999; 2nd ed., 2006) *''How to Write Good Programs: A Guide for Students'' (Cambridge University Press, 2020)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Stevens, Perdita 1966 births Living people British mathematicians British women mathematicians British computer scientists British women computer scientists British software engineers Alumni of the University of Cambridge Alumni of the University of Warwick Academics of the University of Edinburgh