STEM Profile: Prof Rashina Hoda

Prof Rashina Hoda

Software engineer, researcher,

Rashina Hoda is a Professor of Software Engineering and Director of the HumanAISE Lab, Monash University. She is a book author, TEDx speaker, 2025 Top Australian Researcher in Software Systems, 2024 WoC in STEM Guiding Star Mentorship Award recipient, and a 2021-22 Superstar of STEM.

City/town: Melbourne

State: VIC

STEMM sectors: Education, Engineering, Research, Technology

Open to being contacted about the following volunteer roles: Board positions

Guiding principle: I am guided by Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) legacy of being "a mercy for all" - humans, animals, environment, world.

Areas of expertise: software engineering, artificial intelligence, digital health

Contact Prof Rashina Hoda

Q&A

What’s a problem in your field that keeps you up at night, and why does it matter to you personally?

Technology is constantly shaping the world, for good and for bad. I want our next generation of kids, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, to become empowered to lead and shape a better future with technology.

What’s a small, everyday habit or mindset that has made a big difference in how you approach your work?

Gratitude and optimism

How do you navigate moments of doubt or failure in high-stakes or highly technical environments?

I seek strength from God, advice from my trusted support system, and revisit lessons learned from previous experiences where I doubted myself but where inevitably I survived, thrived, and grew.

What is the thing you enjoy most about your role?

Helping others grow

What drew you to your field in the first place?

In school, when I was first introduced to programming, I was drawn by analytical thinking, logic, creativity, and the ability to make things work on the screen.