Pawel Orzechowski

Lecturer in Programming for Data Science at the Usher Institute, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh. Previously taught at the University of Edinburgh Business School and CodeClan bootcamp. Serves as CTO of FeelingGood App (formerly Sorted), with prior roles as Head of Mobile at Storm Ideas and Technology Advisor at Mara Seaweed.

Education:

• PhD in Computer Science/HCI/UX from Heriot-Watt University

Research focuses on democratizing programming education for non-technical audiences through innovative pedagogy in data/text mining and natural language processing. His work bridges human-computer interaction with social data science, particularly examining gender equality metrics and diversity impacts in corporate environments. Develops open educational resources emphasizing pair programming techniques and digital credentialing systems to enhance remote learning accessibility.

Publication trends reveal a distinct evolution from early textile interface research (2010-2017) toward contemporary data science education and social impact studies (2020-2025). Recent work analyzes pandemic-era teaching adaptations and investigates correlations between workplace diversity metrics and financial performance, while foundational contributions established methodologies for digital textile simulation and haptic feedback systems.

Scientific recognition:

• Highly Commended for Social Responsibility and Sustainability Changemaker 2020-2021

Mentorship and funding initiatives center on community-driven projects rather than traditional grants. Leads the CodeBar.io mentoring scheme supporting LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented groups in tech, develops open-access Python curriculum through Code Storytelling, and coordinates the Pair Programming Network. Commissioned research on gender equality demonstrates industry collaboration, while non-funded projects like the Social Data Science Hub foster interdisciplinary community engagement.

Directs multiple volunteer-based initiatives including the Pair Programming Network and CodeBar.io mentoring scheme, with active participation in the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (2020-2025). These efforts prioritize creating inclusive entry pathways into technology through hands-on coding support and open educational resource development.