ABOUT THE EVENT

October is a commemoration of Ada Lovelace, pioneer software programmer, and also the International Day of the Girl Child. Women have been participating in STEM activities throughout history, but often their contributions are not acknowledged. What's more, it's difficult for girls to access education – even to this day.

Join us in celebrating Ada Lovelace as well as the achievements of women in computing more broadly, while highlighting today's experiences and opportunities for future women pioneers.

This event's presentations will be followed by a morning tea to network and further celebrate the day from Monash University Faculty of IT.

JOINING THE EVENT

This event will be run in person and online via Zoom, with questions delivered through Slido. Attendees will be provided with a Zoom link upon registration, and a Slido QR login during the event.

For those attending in person, morning tea will be provided, with networking opportunities throughout.

Hosting the event is Monash University’s Professor Rashina Hoda, joining us as we welcome special guest speakers, Dr Linda McIver, Mayase Jere and Helen Vorrath alongside Monash University Associate Professor Judithe Sheard as honourable women leading with experience from tech and STEM fields, joining us to celebrate Ada Lovelace and the aforementioned achievements of women in Tech and STEM.

HOSTED BY

Professor Rashina Hoda

Hosting our event, Professor Hoda is a world-leading researcher, an award-winning educator, an inspirational speaker and a passionate champion of girls and women in STEM.

Lead of the Faculty of IT's Software Engineering Group and Deputy Director of the HumaniSE Lab, not only does she ensure that people remain at the heart of software, but she's also a specialist with more than 15 years' experience in revolutionary agile approaches that prioritise human aspects and adaptability over meticulous planning and sequential implementation.

In 2021 Professor Hoda was elected one of 60 Superstars of STEM in the country – a prestigious role that elevated her advocacy of women in STEM. She also delivered a TEDxAuckland talk on Agile Nations in 2019 which delved into how countries respond to crises.

Professor Hoda actively serves the international software engineering research community as associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering. She is also co-chair for the Workshops track of International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE 2024) and co-chair of Diversity and Inclusion at the Foundations on Software Engineering (FSE 2024).

SPEAKERS

Judithe Sheard

Delivering the topic of 'Who was Ada Lovelace?' is Monash University's Faculty of IT Associate Professor Judithe (Judy) Sheard. Judy has an academic career spanning more than 30 years. She is a former Head of the Caulfield School of Information Technology.

A passionate educator, Judy researches in computing education particularly the areas of educational technology, student learning behaviour, and assessment. She has published extensively, receiving a number of awards, including most recently a ‘Best in 25 Years’ award at the Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education conference.

An active member of the international computing education research community, Judy has served as Vice Chair and Secretary of the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) and is a former chair of the Australasian Chapter of ACM SIGCSE. Judy has chaired a number of conferences and is currently chair of the 2021 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education.

In 2017 Judy was named an ACM Distinguished Member for educational contributions to computing.

Judy established the Monash Museum of Computing History at Monash University in 2001 and has directed activities for the Museum since this time. The Museum presents a chronology of computing from the early 1950’s to the present.

Dr Linda McIver

Dr Linda McIver pioneered authentic Data Science and Computational Science education with real impact for secondary students and founded the Australian Data Science Education Institute in 2018. Author of Raising Heretics: Teaching Kids to Change the World, Linda is an inspiring keynote speaker who has appeared on the ABC’s panel program Q&A, and regularly delivers engaging Professional Development for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Educators across all disciplines.

A passionate educator, researcher and advocate for STEM, equity and inclusion, with a PhD in Computer Science Education and extensive teaching experience, Linda’s mission is to ensure that all Australian students have the opportunity to learn STEM and Data Science skills in the context of projects that empower them to solve problems and make a positive difference to the world.

Mayase Jere

Mayase Jere is a seasoned Agile professional at the intersection of technology, project management, and product development. She is currently a Delivery Manager at Flybuys leading their Member Experience Digital teams. She has worked on various large to medium-sized B2B and B2C software engineering projects across Australia, India, China and the UK.

Mayase is a co-founding member of Blacks in Tech Australia and a staunch advocate for Women in Tech. Her passion is amplifying diverse narratives and perspectives within the ever-evolving Tech industry. In addition to her leadership roles, she wears several hats as a Podcaster, Blogger, and Storyteller, contributing insights to The Art of Otherness and BIT Australia Tech Talks.

Helen Vorrath

Helen Vorrath has almost 60 years’ experience as an IT practitioner, project manager and management consultant. Starting her career as a programmer and analyst, she became managing director of a small software house, MD of a not-for-profit organisation assisting women to return to the workforce by acquiring IT skills, and CEO of SMS Management and Technology, an Australian based consultancy with many hundreds of staff here and overseas. She held board appointments with Government Business Enterprises including the Civil Aviation Authority and was a non-executive director of several private companies. Helen has a BSc, BA and MBA, all from the University of Melbourne. She now works pro bono for not-for-profit organisations, providing services ranging from strategic planning to system maintenance and website development. In 2021 Helen founded Continuo Community, a not-for-profit organisation supporting chamber music in Victoria.