Jenny has been awarded a Doctor of Engineering in recognition of her trailblazing and passionate campaigning for accessibility and her expertise in driving innovation and change at the highest level.
Leading the company’s efforts to drive products, services and websites that empower people and organisations to achieve more. She is noted as the founder of Microsoft’s Disability Employee Resource Group, which she claimed empowered her as a deaf disabled female leader. Her work on championing disability and inclusivity has seen a significant shift towards products being specifically designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, and led to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, nominating Jenny as his individual who would change the future of technology in Wired Magazine’s 25th anniversary edition.
Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: "All of our honorary graduates have contributed so much in their respective fields, and we are so pleased that we can recognise their extraordinary achievements. We know they will go on to be brilliant advocates and ambassadors for the University and will inspire our students as they plan for their next chapter.”
Heidi Christensen, Head of the School of Computer Science, added: “I visited Jenny at Microsoft in Seattle a few years ago when we were gathering inspiration for our Centre for Inclusive Computing. I’m so delighted that we have been able to honour her amazing career and her leadership on accessibility with this honorary doctorate, she is a true inspiration and her work will continue to have a huge impact for many.”