01.07.2026

It’s summer! There’s been a lot of sun and a lot of rain so far, hope you’re staying cool and dry. It’s time for the fifth edition of The Source, a quarterly catch from the IAP. If you want to connect, contribute or join in the conversation, take a look at how below. One of the best ways is to connect and share your thoughts via our monthly Dev Café online meetings. If you have a question or query get in touch by email admin@iap.org or call the team on 020 8004 9085. Until next time!

Blogs: What’s on our radar?

The IAP write a topical blog every week. We cover what’s in the news, what’s happening at the IAP, and generally keep our eye on what’s going on in the computing world. Click on a topic you’re interested in on our blog page and start reading. The top stories from our articles over the last three months are:

IAP Director General Alastair Revell Presents OSPA Cyber Security Award

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) celebrate excellence across the security sector by recognising the achievements of both organisations and individuals. The 2026 Cyber OSPA for the Outstanding Cyber Security went to the Training/Awareness Initiative, Integrated Cyber Pathway Programme for Young People run by Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit. Making cybersecurity engaging and community‑led has created a sustainable talent pipeline, which OSPA judges, Alastair being one, saw as outstanding, recognising its gamified approach, clear behavioural impact, and scalable ecosystem. Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/cyber-ospa-awards-2026

The Impact of AI on Climate Change

We take a closer look at how Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps the environment and consider the challenges and disadvantages we face. As AI plays a growing significance and impact in lives we look at benefits in the fight against climate change such as improving weather forecasting, and predicting natural disasters more accurately and about the negative environmental impacts such as needing to generate the enormous amounts of electricity AI requires. How do we achieve a balance and make the overall impact positive? Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/the-impact-of-ai-on-climate-change

How many computer languages are there?

There are nearly 9,000 computer languages listed in historical databases but only around 50 are considered popular and make up the bulk of commercial development. We look into the history of computer languages dating back to the 1940s, innovations along the way, what the top 20 are, and what the future of computer language development looks like. Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/computer-languages

Upcoming Events: Dev Café

Every first Thursday, once a month, we gather online for a Dev Café Rendezvous. The meeting is open to all members. It starts at 11am and takes place virtually on Microsoft Teams. During the roughly 90 minute meeting members can share news, ideas or concerns or can ask for advice or inspiration. A Teams link is sent to members by email prior to each meeting. Here are the next few dates for your 2026 diary:

Thursday 6th August, 1st September, 1st October, 3rd November, 1st December.

Upcoming Events: Webinars

Take a look at past webinars on the IAP YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/iap-channel

Stay Connected: Blogs & Social Media

We regularly post across several social media platforms. Click on the following links to make sure you’re following us. We encourage you to like, share and comment:

Facebook: @InstitutionOfAnalystsAndProgrammers

X: @IAP_ORG_UK

LinkedIn: @the-institution-of-analysts-and-programmers

Instagram: @iap_org_uk

Be Supported: IAP Benefits

Here’s a reminder of some of the benefits that come with your IAP membership:

– Looking for work in the IT field? Go to our live Totaljobs board on the CAREERS IN IT page

– For insurance and pension scheme offers go to the BUSINESS SUPPORT page

– Discounted computer supplies, books and hotel stays are listed on the MEMBER BENEFITS page

 

FYI: Who are the Computing VIPs?

Alan Turing 1912-1954 : British computer scientist, mathematician and logician. Considered a hero of World War II and the father of modern computers.

Grace Hopper 1906-1992 : American scientist. Involved in developing programming languages ​​such as FLOW-MATIC, CODASYL and COBOL.

Linus Torvalds 1969- : Finnish programmer primarily known for Linux OS, Chrome OS and Android operating systems and author of the Git version control system (2005) and Subsurface dive log software.

Tim Berners-Lee 1955- : British computer scientist and physicist and inventor of the World Wide Web.