From watching funny cat videos on YouTube to relying on Google Maps to find our way in the real world, it is difficult to imagine life without software. But how do software developers work together to design and develop these cool applications? What process do they follow to ensure the users not just use, but love, their products? And to ensure they are ethical, sustainable, and accessible for the diverse human population?

Professor Rashina Hoda’s research focuses on such human and socio-technical aspects of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and digital health.

Rashina is a Professor of Software Engineering at Monash University, Australia. Her research focuses on the human and socio-technical aspects of Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Health. She was named the 2025 Top Researcher in Software Systems in Australia by The Australian. In her 2024 Springer book Qualitative Research with Socio-Technical Grounded Theory, she presents a modern socio-technical variation to the Grounded Theory methods.

As the Associate Dean Equity Diversity and Inclusion, she has introduced an intersectional lens to the EDI portfolio. Her contribution to championing women in STEM was recognised through the Guiding Star Mentorship Award at the 2024 Women of Colour in STEM Awards.

She was selected as one of the Superstars of STEM 2021-22 cohort by Science and Technology Australia to serve as a visible role model of women in STEM. Rashina enjoys presenting her research, talks, and stories in a variety of accessible ways (e.g., TEDx, SXSW Sydney, ABC News, ABC Radio...) to academics, industry, media, and the wider society.

For more, visit Rashina's website or follow her on Twitter @agileRashina and on LinkedIn.

Professor Rashina Hoda is a Superstar of STEM.