Brilliant women PhD students shaping a more inclusive tomorrow

In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, we were honoured to interview two wonderful women PhD students who are using their research to drive innovation, inclusion and progress.

Sophie Coppenhall

Inclusive Technologies

Can you tell us a bit about your research focus and what inspired you to pursue this area of study for your?PhD?

As a first-year PhD student, I am really excited about the new avenues I will be able to explore in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). While it's a diverse discipline, I came into IT with the sole intention of working in inclusive technologies.

My research will involve working alongside people who are blind or have low vision (BLV) to develop experiences in cultural institutions that are engaging and promote full participation. My supervisor and lab colleagues have been working on projects of this nature in recent years, which is what brought me to Monash in the first instance. My research project will involve working with BLV people to develop inclusive art encounters in art museums and galleries, and asking what kinds of experiences are desired in art spaces.

I was inspired to follow this research route in the early years of my first degree, which was in art history. At the time, my grandpa had begun to experience rapid progressive vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He had always been a keen painter, draftsman and art lover, and continued to pursue his art making using magnifiers and bold pencils and pens for a long time after he was diagnosed with AMD.

The way I was taught during my undergraduate degree was dependent on our ability to use ocular perception at all times, and I often thought about ways in which my grandpa and I could continue to share the same experiences of art when our senses were different.

How do you define 'inclusive experiences' in the context of artistic encounters and cultural institutions??

If cultural institutions aim to be welcoming and open to all audiences, they must ensure that everyone can experience artworks and art spaces in a way that is valuable to them. That's not to say that the experience isn't shareable; art institutions are social spaces where discussion, critical thinking and imagination are inspired.

I appreciate the term “encounter” because the word “experience” feels too passive when it's the audience's participation that makes an artwork complete.

Art encounters in cultural institutions should be designed so that everyone can participate in art spaces together or independently, with choice and possibility being encompassed in their journeys.

They must also be designed by people with diverse lived experiences and diverse access needs - it's fundamental to build strong co-design processes into the development of all experiences.

What do you see as the current challenges to ensuring inclusivity in these spaces, and how can your research help address them?

This field of research is growing at speed, and so many of my colleagues are working on different projects to guide best practice for developing inclusive spaces.

With my background in art history, my role is partly to bridge a gap between what is produced in HCI to support inclusive experiences and what encounters are desired by BLV audiences in art spaces, as well as appropriate interventions when designing with artworks, artists and cultural institutions in mind.

As a woman in IT, what has your experience been like, and what do you think could be done to encourage more women to pursue careers in this field?

Coming from an interdisciplinary academic background in the humanities, I was quite nervous moving into IT as I felt that it would be difficult to integrate into a different field and fit into a research environment that is often fast-paced and very productive.

My fears were unfounded, as researchers in IT, from my experience, tend to be very open about their work, progressive and inspired.?

IT is a dynamic discipline, which requires lots of collaboration and care over research. Within our Inclusive Technologies group in particular, the gender balance is equal, so it has never occurred to me that I am singled out in any way as an exception in the field. We all work with mutual respect, always.

Following on from that question, have you faced any unique challenges or obstacles as a woman in STEM, and how did you overcome them?

I have moved between disciplines with different demographic representation throughout my academic career, but I have never felt that being a woman has held me back in any direction I wanted to take.

Confidence and passion keep me going, and even if things become challenging I am always keen to keep trying, be open to new knowledge and experiences, and not to give up.

What advice would you give to other women who are considering pursuing a career in IT or STEM fields?

If there is something you enjoy most in IT or in STEM, remind yourself that with interest and with time, you can pursue anything.

Treat yourself as an equal, ask questions and be outspoken. Never be afraid to try and fail, as we are constantly working on better ways to approach things and the stakes for you should be the same as the stakes for everyone else.

If we want to design technologies for everyone, then we need to represent the interests of all of us from start to finish in the development process. This is why IT and STEM need people from diverse backgrounds, and with diverse lived experiences.

Hashini Gunatilake

HumaniSE Lab

Can you share a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a PhD in software engineering?

My journey into software engineering began with a deep-rooted passion for mathematics from my younger days.

I pursued my high school education from the Mathematics stream. Thanks to free education in Sri Lanka, I was fortunate to study IT in school and it didn't take long for IT to become my second favourite area of study, alongside mathematics. I explored programming languages and software engineering, while also delving deeper into pure mathematics.

Once I got my advanced level results, I was qualified to enter into a state university and I had the choice of enrolling into an IT degree or getting into the Physical Science degree where I would have the opportunity to learn more Mathematical-related concepts. I felt so alive when solving problems by developing software and I knew I will always learn more Mathematics along with IT. Hence I decided to follow the IT stream and enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Systems degree at the prestigious University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC).

After university, I ventured into the industry for four enriching years. While working, I always missed that thrill I got from problem-solving and later realised even though I was very good at what I did, it was not intellectually stimulating enough for me.

Then I started looking for different paths and my honours research supervisor advised me to do a PhD. In that moment I remembered how much I loved doing research which involved generating new knowledge and solving complex problems. Inspired by my passion for research, I embarked on a PhD journey under the guidance of Professor John Grundy.

I owe much of my success to the unwavering support of my family and the guidance of my mentors. I want to thank my family for always trusting me and helping me to do what I want in life. I thank them for not being traditional parents and for respecting my decisions to pursue my school education in Mathematics stream and to pursue my university education in IT stream.

If not for my parents, my teachers and free education of Sri Lanka, I don't think I'd be here today doing this interview.

How does your research aim to improve interactions between end users and software developers?

In my research, I delve into the multifaceted concept of empathy within the context of software engineering. Specifically, I aim to explore how empathy can be effectively integrated into software development processes to drive more inclusive and human-centric software solutions.

At the heart of this lies the recognition that truly understanding the needs, abilities and challenges of end users is paramount to designing software that resonates with them on a deeper level.

Through my investigations, I seek to uncover practical strategies and methodologies for infusing empathy into various stages of the software development lifecycle. This entails not only cultivating empathy within development teams but also implementing processes and tools that facilitate empathetic interactions with end users.

By integrating empathy into software engineering practices, we can bridge the gap between developers and users, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the human aspect of technology.?

As someone who has experience in both industry and research, what challenges do women in software engineering face, and how can we overcome them?

In my experience, one of the greatest challenges women in software engineering encounter stems from societal prejudices, which can influence the perceptions and expectations of those around them.

Reflecting on my own journey, I faced a significant decision after completing my year 11 competitive exam. I had to choose between the Bio-Science and Mathematics streams for further education.

Most of the relations and family friends were telling my parents to move me towards the Bio-Science stream which is perceived as more fitting for girls. There was a misconception that Mathematics is a domain reserved for boys. But I had a great passion for mathematics and I never wanted to be a medical doctor by following the Bio-Science stream.

Despite these pressures, my parents gave me the freedom to pursue my interests without imposing societal expectations. I am deeply grateful to them for not forcing me to do something I didn't want and for supporting me wholeheartedly.

Having a supportive family who respects my choices has been a tremendous blessing in overcoming the challenges of being a woman in software engineering .

In my career, there was a pivotal moment when I realised that the software industry was not intellectually stimulating enough for me. I was selected for a well-paid, well-reputed government position which I had no interest in getting into.

Everyone who knew about this position thought this was a wonderful opportunity and encouraged me to accept it. My father even forced me to accept it because it was a prestigious state job and everyone put this notion into his mind that "a girl should do a state job so she will be financially secure after retirement."

I was exhausted from the pressure and was self-doubting. I still remember the telephone conversation I had with my undergraduate supervisor, who reminded me of my strengths as a researcher and encouraged me to pursue a PhD. This conversation with him and conversations I had with a few of my closest friends helped me make up my mind. I was an assertive kid since my younger days and these conversations helped me to be assertive once again to fight for my way. I didn't accept the offer, instead I decided to do a PhD.

Throughout this journey, I've come to realise the importance of having supportive friends and mentors who believe in you, irrespective of societal norms or gender expectations. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in helping me reach my goals.?

Reflecting on these experiences, I want to emphasise the importance of carefully selecting your circle of influence. Having a supportive network of individuals who believe in your abilities and aspirations is crucial. While challenges and setbacks are inevitable, surrounding yourself with people who uplift and encourage you can make all the difference. It's essential to remain true to yourself, prioritising personal fulfilment and growth amidst life's uncertainties.

I did what I felt was best for myself and what I loved doing. This required a level of stubbornness and determination to take charge of my own destiny, even if it meant making mistakes along the way.

Every misstep I encountered served as a valuable learning opportunity, shaping me into the person I am today. I have no regrets about the decisions I've made, as they have led me to where I am now.

As a woman, it's crucial not to lose sight of the inner spark that ignites when we pursue our passions. Embracing what brings us joy and staying true to ourselves is key to living a fulfilling and authentic life.

How do you think we, as a community and individually, can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in software engineering?

As a researcher focusing on empathy and software engineering, I firmly believe that fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in the software engineering field requires collective effort and commitment from the entire IT field.

One crucial step is to actively promote diversity and inclusion initiatives within organisations, including mentorship programs, networking opportunities and leadership development initiatives tailored to support women in software engineering.

Creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where women feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives is essential.

Additionally, raising awareness about unconscious biases and promoting gender sensitivity training can help mitigate discriminatory practices and foster a more inclusive environment. Encouraging open dialogue and creating safe spaces for women to voice their concerns and experiences can also facilitate positive change within the IT community.

How does your research contribute to a more inclusive world?

By exploring how empathy can be integrated into software development processes to better understand and address the needs and experiences of diverse stakeholders, including women, my research seeks to promote a more human-centric approach to software engineering.

Empathy enables software practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the needs, abilities and challenges of end-users, which will allow them to design solutions that are not only technically proficient but also resonate with users on a human level.

Through empirical studies, qualitative analysis, and practical applications, I intend to demonstrate how empathy can inform various aspects of software development. By incorporating empathy-driven practices, software developers may be able to create products that are more intuitive, accessible, and inclusive, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.

By embracing empathy as a guiding principle, we can empower software practitioners to create software solutions that not only meet functional requirements but also enrich the lives of users through meaningful and empathetic experiences.