Safia Barikzai

Dr. Safia Barikzai serves as an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies at London South Bank University (LSBU), holding responsibilities for employability, student experience, and academic enrichment across South Bank Academies. She previously contributed as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead for the School of Engineering, collaborating with external organizations to foster inclusive tech environments.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Courseware Engineering completed at LSBU in November 2006, with a thesis titled 'Integrating Courseware into Collaborative Learning Environments'. Her academic journey began in 1996 through a Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) funded project involving seven UK institutions.

• PhD in Courseware Engineering, London South Bank University (2006)
• Undergraduate degree completed prior to 1996

Dr. Barikzai's research spans educational technology foundations in courseware engineering to contemporary investigations of technology entrepreneurship. Her current work employs qualitative methodologies to analyze entrepreneurial pivoting in tech startups, examining triggers, adaptation strategies, and survival mechanisms within the UK high-tech ecosystem. This evolution reflects a strategic shift from learning environment design to venture development dynamics while maintaining a focus on collaborative systems.

Analysis of her 2019-2024 publications reveals a dominant focus on technology entrepreneurship (80% of outputs), particularly through qualitative studies of startup pivoting. Her 2024 decolonization panel work extends this critical perspective to institutional history, while her sole 2019 publication demonstrates interdisciplinary application of machine learning in medical diagnostics for cancer and diabetes.

Scientific awards: None documented in provided materials.

Dr. Barikzai has supervised two postgraduate students and served as Course Director for a Masters programme at the University of Wollongong (2002-2005), managing offshore dissertations in Hong Kong. Her grant involvement includes the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) project and subsequent funding for collaborative learning tools. She maintains active roles in curriculum development, serving on education committees and teaching Analysis and Design alongside Innovation and Enterprise courses.

• Supervision: 2 postgraduate students
• Past Leadership: Masters Programme Course Director (University of Wollongong, 2002-2005)
• Committee Service: School Education Committee member

As part of LSBU's Digital x Data Research Centre, Dr. Barikzai contributes to academic enrichment initiatives for South Bank Academies while advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals through educational innovation. Her collaborative networks include external diversity-focused organizations working to transform engineering and technology sectors.