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School pupils across Tayside to explore games, cyber security and technology as national festival comes to Dundee
The Ada Scotland Festival will return to Abertay University this autumn, with the University hosting two events as part of a national initiative promoting greater participation and diversity in computing, technology, cyber security and games.
Running from 18 September to 5 November 2026, the festival champions gender diversity in technology and computing, inspiring young people and helping to build a stronger, fairer and more diverse workforce for the future.
The University’s festival events will begin on Wednesday 30 September with the Dundee Schools Hub Games and Cyber Day. Delivered by the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business, the event is designed for female and non-binary pupils from P6 to S2 and will introduce participants to games, cyber security, ethical hacking and computing.
Pupils will meet industry professionals, explore games and apps developed in Dundee, speak with current students and take part in interactive workshops focused on game development and testing.
The University will also host the Ada Scotland Festival Awards and Closing Celebration on Thursday 5 November. Held in partnership with Platinum Sponsor Lloyds Banking Group at the Abertay cyberQuarter, the event will bring together educators, industry partners, sponsors, supporters and festival participants to celebrate the impact of the 2026 festival.
Dr Lynn Love, Senior Lecturer in Computer Arts at Abertay University, said:
One of the most powerful things we can do is give young people the chance to picture themselves in these spaces. Events like this help break down assumptions about who technology is for and show pupils that these industries are a place for them and that their ideas, creativity and problem-solving skills are needed. By creating welcoming opportunities to learn, ask questions and meet people already working and studying in the sector, we hope to build confidence and encourage more young women and non-binary individuals to consider where computing and digital skills could take them.
Abertay has been a longstanding supporter of the festival’s mission. While progress is being made, women and non-binary people remain underrepresented across the computing sector. In Scotland, women accounted for just 19% of Higher Computing Science entrants and 22% of National 5 Computing Science entrants in 2023. Across the UK, there were still 4.1 young men for every young woman studying computing degrees in 2024.
Last year, the University welcomed more than 70 pupils from eight local schools for hands-on workshops, talks and activities exploring digital skills, games development and technology careers, giving young people the opportunity to meet industry professionals and gain first-hand insight into careers in the sector.
Information on Abertay’s events and the wider festival programme is available through the Ada Scotland Festival website.
