My interest in technology began when our neighbors bought the first computer in our street. I was fascinated by this new world of possibilities and curious to understand how it worked. That early experience sparked my passion for STEM and set me on the path I am on today.
Your organization field and mission:
The Ferdinand Porsche FernFH is Austria’s first and only university of applied sciences dedicated to distance learning. Its mission is to make academic education accessible to people who wish to combine work, family, and studies. Through innovative online learning methods and a strong focus on practical relevance, the university aims to promote lifelong learning, professional development, and equal opportunities in higher education.
Please tell us briefly about your role in the company / at your organization:
I am a researcher in the field of Computer Science Education and a lecturer specializing in virtual collaboration, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), and user training.
Your interest in STEM
My first role model was my cousin, who chose a career in the construction industry – a field that was, and still is, largely male-dominated. I admired her courage, persistence, and independence. Today, I continue to be inspired by women who drive change, break barriers, and refuse to be intimidated. Their strength and vision motivate me to keep pushing boundaries in my own field as well.
Your studies
One of my biggest challenges during my studies was balancing everything at once. My parents didn’t have the financial means – and honestly, they neither wanted me to study. But for me, pursuing higher education was deeply important; it was my way of shaping my own path and independence. Managing studies, work, and a healthy work-life balance at the same time was definitely the hardest part.
Use your brain to think analytically, your heart to empathize and connect, your hands to create and achieve – and your persistence to keep going when things get tough.
You at work
Key initiatives include:
- Ongoing recertification as a “Family-Friendly University”, supporting the compatibility of study, work, and family life.
- Measures to promote gender balance among students across all study programs.
- Advisory support on gender and diversity aspects in projects, research proposals, and theses.
- Consideration of equality and diversity goals in recruitment and appointment procedures.
- Participation in the research program “Diversity in Organizations.”
- Preparation of an annual Gender Equality Report for the university’s collegial leadership.
- Operation of a Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Gender & Diversity.
Completed and ongoing activities:
- Integration of gender and diversity management into the university’s statutes and core values.
- Courses on Diversity Management across study programs.
- Implementation of the “Equal Pay” project to evaluate pay structures.
- Gender-neutral language and third gender option in applications and student records.
- Establishment of gender-neutral and accessible facilities, including toilets and barrier-free buildings and web content.
- Code of Conduct and anonymous reporting mechanism for equality and respect.
“Nestor Gold” project promoting age-inclusive organizations.
I am most proud of having contributed to both academic innovation and institutional development at the Ferdinand Porsche FernFH. Over the years, I have helped transform the university’s digital learning landscape by establishing the E-Learning and Web-Support Center (including a MediaLab), implementing virtual classrooms, and leading the university’s first social media and public outreach initiatives. I am also proud of promoting gender equality through the recruitment of female lecturers, simplifying examination processes, and being re-elected to the faculty in 2024. My commitment to teaching excellence was recognized with the Werner Jungwirth Teaching Award (2022), and my research achievements have been supported by the Lower Austrian Research Promotion Society (GFF NÖ) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), where I was selected for the Innovation Leadership Program and recognized as one of their INNOVATORINNEN alumnae.
Your point of view
Technology can empower women by giving them access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that transcend traditional barriers. It allows women to learn, work, and lead from anywhere, often creating new paths where none existed before. When women gain digital skills, they not only strengthen their own voices but also shape the technologies that influence our societies. True empowerment comes when women are not just users of technology – but its creators, innovators, and decision-makers.
Use your brain to think analytically, your heart to empathize and connect, your hands to create and achieve – and your persistence to keep going when things get tough.
By 2030, I would like to see diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability fully embedded – not as add-ons, but as natural foundations of every decision in the tech and education sector. This means equal representation of women and underrepresented groups in all levels of technology and academia, from classrooms to leadership. It also means valuing different life paths, cultural backgrounds, and ways of learning as assets rather than exceptions. In terms of sustainability, I hope digital education becomes both environmentally conscious and socially responsible – empowering people, not replacing them.
To finish with
Less poverty, less inequality, more education — and one connected world, both physical and digital.
One of my ongoing challenges is balancing the demands of motherhood with a professional career – especially when support systems are limited. It can be difficult to stay fully present and perform at full strength at work while managing everything that family life requires. Finding sustainable ways to maintain both focus and energy remains one of my biggest personal and professional goals.
By 2030, I hope to have deepened my work at the intersection of technology, education, and social impact – continuing to build projects that make digital learning accessible and inclusive. I want to combine research, teaching, and innovation to empower the next generation, especially girls and underrepresented groups in tech. Most of all, I hope my career will reflect a balance between professional purpose and personal fulfillment – growing not only in titles, but in meaning.
The current activity has been implemented in the framework of the Project: Code4Europe,
GA Number: 101158834. Official project website : https://codeweek.eu/