My interest in STEM developed towards the end of my undergraduate studies, when I discovered the potential of computer science applications in education and computer graphics. I was fascinated by how technology could be used not only to solve computational problems, but also to create new ways of learning, communicating, and interacting with digital content. This experience motivated me to pursue further studies and research in the field.
Your organization field and mission:
The University of Athens (www.uoa.gr) is a leading higher education and research institution in Greece. Its mission is to provide high-quality education, advance scientific research and innovation, and contribute to society through the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge.
Please tell us briefly about your role in the company / at your organization:
I am an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). My role involves teaching and supervising students, conducting research in the fields of virtual reality, human-computer interaction, and data visualization, and contributing to academic and research projects and collaborations.
Your interest in STEM
Dana Plepys (https://www.evl.uic.edu/dana/
Your studies
My biggest challenge was starting my undergraduate studies in Informatics in 1987, at a time when I had never used, or even seen, a computer before. Then again, when I went to grad school in the US. Adapting to a completely new field, a new country, and developing the necessary technical skills from scratch was challenging.
I would encourage girls and women to be curious, confident, and persistent. Computer science and technology need diverse perspectives, and there is no reason to see these fields as “men’s fields.” Build strong foundations, seek mentors and supportive communities, and do not be afraid to take on challenging opportunities.
You at work
Having an incredible, multi-talented team of collaborators who are mostly women.
Your point of view
Technology can empower women by providing access to education, knowledge, professional opportunities, and global networks, regardless of geographical or social barriers. It can also amplify women’s voices, support entrepreneurship and creativity, and enable greater flexibility in balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Be curious, believe in your abilities, and do not be afraid to take up space in the technology sector. Build strong skills, seek mentors and supportive networks, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Check out networks such as eugain.eu
I would also like to see inclusive practices become embedded in institutional culture, rather than treated as separate initiatives. And achieve what Norway has achieved: the percentage of female applicants to computer science studies in Norway has reached 36.7%.
To finish with
To inspire my students top “stretch and grow”.
Advancing to the highest level (Full Professor) in academia.
I hope to have completed a sabbatical which will then allow me to advance as a researcher in academia.
The current activity has been implemented in the framework of the Project: Code4Europe,
GA Number: 101158834. Official project website : https://codeweek.eu/