In this edition of The Source we’re reviewing the hot topics we’ve been blogging about over the last few months and we offer a few reminders about our events, how to get more involved and how we support and represent you, whether you are a student member or seasoned professional fellow.

This issue of The Source e-newsletter also happens to be a Christmas edition so may we wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. The team at the IAP would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our continued success is 2025, especially webinar presenters. With your support we can keep exploring, growing and learning from each other in 2026.

Blogs: The Hot Topics

We create a new blog every single week at the IAP and hope you find the articles informative and interesting. Our aim is to track down the most relevant, newsworthy content so our research check list is quite broad. We hope this ensures our reporting relates to what you will find of interest as an IAP member. Why not take a closer look? Go to the blog page, choose a category (or two) and start catching up! Here are a few recent stand out blogs:

Heat Your Home With A Data Centre

Data centres generate heat when they process data and use around 30% of the electricity consumption to keep cool. What if we could harness this heat to keep our homes warm? In this blog you can read about several innovative schemes that are underway, doing exactly that. As quoted in the article the aim is to: “Reuse energy for the benefit of everyone. Reduce environmental impact wherever we can. Remove residual carbon with active resilient projects”. Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/heat-your-home-with-a-data-centre

Alastair Revell Awarded Honorary Doctorate

In October 2025 we were delighted to announce that IAP Director General, Alastair Revell, had been awarded an honorary doctorate for “his outstanding contribution to Computer Science Education and the IT profession”. “It is a tremendous honour to be recognised by the University of Plymouth, especially for my advocacy of professionalism in IT. Software underpins much of modern society, which is why I believe so ardently in the Institution’s mission of improving software for society.” Alastair Revell. Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/iap-director-general-awarded-honorary-doctorate

Post Office Scandal Update

We recently caught up with the situation and news around the Post Office scandal. Faulty software was the root cause of the UK’s most widespread miscarriage of justice and as a professional body representing software developers it is with vested interest we stay aware and informed. Read the blog: www.iap.org.uk/post-office-scandal-update

Upcoming Events: Webinars

We are currently putting a programme of webinars together for 2026 so watch this space. A selection of past IAP webinars are available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/iap-channel and here are details of one of our last webinars:

Friday 19th September 2025: Why Standards Are So Important

A brief overview of why standards matter, with an introduction to Trustworthy Software and how it went from an idea to becoming an international standard. The complexity of language, business culture and politics are also explored. To watch this webinar go to: www.youtube.com/why-standards-are-important.

Presenters: John Ellis – IAP Fellow Companion, Systems Developer & Systems Standards Expert & Luc Poulin – IAP Fellow, D.Eng & Standards Expert

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 8th January, Thursday 5th February, Thursday 5th March, Thursday 2nd April, Thursday 7th May.

 

Stay Connected: Blogs & Social Media

The content of our weekly blogs and more are posted 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 on our posts:

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 new commissions and opportunities? Add your details to the FIND A CONSULTANT list

– 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

Just For Fun: Popular Tech Christmas Gifts

– In 2025: Apple MacBook Air M4 Laptop, High-End Gaming Gear, Apple iPhone 17 Series, Noise-Cancelling Airpods, Apple Watch Series 11 GPS

– In 2005: XBox 360, Apple iPod, PalmOne Treo 650 Smartphone, Digital Photo Frame, Plantronics Pulsar 590a Bluetooth Headphones

– In 1985: Sony Discman Portable CD Player, Boombox (Ghetto Blaster), Casio Calculator Watch, Epson ET-10 Pocket TV