Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is celebrating major national recognition as two of its digital fashion visionaries, Penelope Norman and Kyra Gibson, have been shortlisted for the 2026 Women in Tech Excellence Awards.
From more than 1,800 national submissions, Penelope, Programme Leader at the School of Fashion and Creative Industries Management at AUB, has been shortlisted for Advocate/Educator of the Year, while Kyra Gibson, the University's KTP Associate Digital Developer based at ThruDark, has been shortlisted for Transformation Leader of the Year.
Organised by leading technology publication Computing, the Women in Tech Excellence Awards are amongst the tech industry’s most respected accolades, celebrating top female talent, driving diversity, and amplifying role models across the tech ecosystem.
This year’s judging panel comprises senior industry representatives from tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon and IBM, alongside prominent founders and CEOs.
The double shortlist highlights the transformative impact of AUB’s landmark Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Poole-based high-performance outerwear brand, ThruDark.
The collaborative project leverages cutting-edge 3D virtual prototyping, body scanning, and digital workflows using CLO 3D to revolutionise garment design - cutting physical samples by 50%, improving productivity by 33%, and significantly reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain.
Having previously served as a 3D Technologist at Burberry after graduating from AUB, Kyra Gibson, KTP Associate Digital Developer, bridges the gap between academic innovation and commercial execution.
“When I saw the opportunity to return to AUB for this KTP project, I knew it was a chance to push the boundaries of digital fashion," she says.
“This project is all about collaboration and innovation, which we need to see more of across the industry to resolve complex supply chain challenges, boost efficiency, and build truly sustainable businesses. Being shortlisted for Transformation Leader of the Year is fantastic recognition of what we’re achieving together.”
Penelope, Academic Lead for the KTP, adds, “A huge 80% of a garment’s environmental impact can be addressed right at the design stage. My goal is to empower designers and product developers to make a positive, lasting impact through digital design and production methods, whilst educating the next generation of graduates to drive these crucial changes.
“Being recognised by the Women in Tech Excellence Awards panel alongside such inspiring industry leaders is a massive honour.”
Benjamin Hewitt, Product Director at ThruDark, comments, “Having Kyra on the team with her vast technical knowledge and fresh perspective has allowed us to fully embrace these new technologies, streamline our operations, and reduce our environmental footprint. We’re essentially using science to make art, and the ripple effects are transforming how we work with our suppliers across the board.”
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through Innovate UK, connects forward-thinking businesses with world-class academic expertise to drive strategic, sustainable growth.
The winners of the Women in Tech Excellence Awards 2026 will be announced at the annual awards gala on 26 November 2026 at the Hilton Park Lane in London.
