Rate My Professor Karen Gray

Karen Gray is a Teaching Fellow and Professional Practice Fellow in the School of Computing at the University of Otago, part of the Sciences Division. Her academic background spans literature, education, and computer science. She earned a BA (Hons) in English Literature from Massey University, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (GradDipTchg) from the University of Waikato in 1994. In the early 2000s, Gray returned to study at the University of Otago, originally planning to pursue accounting. A pivotal programming course shifted her interests, leading to a BSc in 2003 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in 2004, both from Otago. Since completing her postgraduate studies, she has built her career as a dedicated educator in computer science at the University of Otago, emphasizing hands-on teaching and student engagement from her very first appointment as a Teaching Fellow.

In her teaching role, Karen Gray specializes in first-year introductory programming courses, including COMP121 Computer Programming, COMP161 Foundations of Computer Science, and COMP162 Algorithms and Data Structures, where she coordinates laboratories and delivers practical instruction. She has also covered web development and software development topics, and collaborated on creating specialized courses for high school teachers to bridge secondary and tertiary computing education. Gray extends her impact through extracurricular support, serving as the Kaiāwhina for Computer Science in the Sciences Kaiāwhina Network—a Māori student support initiative that provides academic guidance, connections to lecturers and peers, cultural affirmation, and a welcoming presence in the department. Additionally, she contributes to the School of Computing's outreach committee, organizing activities such as visits from Bayfield High School students and Comp Girls events to inspire diverse participation in computing. Her commitment to student welfare was recognized with a University of Otago Appreciation Award in 2023 for providing exemplary support in the Department of Computer Science. Gray's passion for programming, first sparked in her own studies, continues to motivate generations of students, fostering their excitement and success in the field.