Mr Steven Watt

Mr Steven Watt

Professor of Practice in Computer Science

Researcher profile

Email
Steve.Watt@st-andrews.ac.uk

 

Biography

Steve Watt is the University's Chief Information Officer and Professor of Practice in Cyber Security within the School of Computer Science. An engineering and IT graduate with an MBA, he holds a number of professional qualifications and honours, including European Engineer (Eur Ing), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered IT Professional (CITP), Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

With more than 32 years of experience in the IT industry, Steve is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of information technology services across the University. Over the past ten years, his leadership has focused on digital transformation, cyber security, and organisational resilience, helping position the University to respond effectively to increasing digital dependence and the evolving cyber threat landscape.

Prior to joining higher education, Steve gained extensive private sector experience with Low & Bonar plc, where he was responsible for corporate IT standards across 52 locations in Europe and North America. His remit included wide area networking, telecommunications, collaboration platforms, systems management, and the centralisation of ICT support through outsourced service partnerships.

Steve has also worked as a consultant across a range of sectors, including education, health, manufacturing, and the third sector. This breadth of experience has provided him with a strong understanding of how technology can be used strategically to support organisational change, innovation, and operational excellence.

Research areas

Steve's interests focus on cyber security, cyber resilience, threat intelligence, digital transformation, IT governance, risk management, digital leadership, and the strategic application of technology to support institutional and organisational objectives. His work increasingly explores the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and the governance approaches required to deliver innovation safely and responsibly.
 

Selected publications

  • Privacy

    Milne, C. & Watt, S. A., 24 Jun 2025, Mechatronic futures: further challenges and solutions for mechatronic systems and their designers. Hehenberger, P. & Bradley, D. (eds.). 2nd ed. Cham: Springer, p. 107-119 13 p.

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

  • From Mechatronics to the Cloud

    Bradley, D., Russell, D., Hehenberger, P., Azorin-Lopez, J., Watt, S. & Milne, C., 15 Jan 2020, Reinventing Mechatronics: Developing Future Directions for Mechatronics. Yan, X.-T., Bradley, D., Russell, D. & Moore, P. (eds.). Springer, p. 17-33 Chapter 3

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

  • Open access

    Privacy Matters – Issues within Mechatronics

    Watt, S., Milne, C., Bradley, D., Russell, D., Hehenberger, P. & Azorin-Lopez, J., 10 Nov 2016, In: IFAC-PapersOnLine. 49, 21, p. 423-430 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • The changing landscape of enterprise ICT-responding to new possibilities and user demands

    Milne, C. & Watt, S., 1 Jan 2016, Mechatronic Futures: Challenges and Solutions for Mechatronic Systems and Their Designers. Springer, p. 201-220 20 p.

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

 

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