How to Talk Tech to Non-Techies!

Get Spotted: Computer Science 

(video and more content coming soon - page under construction)

Strong communication skills sit at the core of Queen Mary’s qTech programme—a dynamic initiative offering free technical and digital consultancy to local start-ups, SMEs, and non-profits. Initially a voluntary opportunity, qTech is now embedded into the undergraduate Computer Science curriculum, as Dr Aisha Abuelmaatti explains, thanks to the wide range of transferable skills students develop through real-world collaboration. 

In this episode, we hear from Imane, a third-year student, who reflects on the challenges of working in multi-disciplinary teams. She describes how communicating with professionals from non-technical backgrounds—like economists—requires clarity, simplification, and active listening. She shares how she uses gamification techniques to make her ideas engaging and memorable for diverse audiences. 

We also hear from Dev, a qTech alumnus and now a CEO. He shares how the experience helped shape his approach to leadership, including how to receive criticism constructively, collaborate across roles, and communicate with empathy. His surprising secret to staying focused and intentional in conversation? Taking handwritten notes—a simple yet powerful tool that builds trust and aids retention in professional communication.