BIOGRAPHY:

Dr Erica Mealy is a lecturer, program coordinator, media commentator and all-round technology evangelist. She has worked in industry and academia across smart transports systems, sports analysis, data science, software engineering, process improvement, quality assurance, and technology uplift. She’s passionate about our Moreton Bay technology eco-system and has lead UniSC’s GovHack nodes for the last 3 years. Dr Mealy was UniSC’s inaugural coordinator of the Computer Science program and proud to lead a team of computer science academics that are over 50% female. Erica also sits on Electronic Frontiers Australia’s board of directors, leveraging her keen understanding of Australia’s digital identity and data privacy legislation to help protect Australia’s digital future.

Erica is driven to inspire the next generation of innovators and professionals. She is a member of Women in Technology and Women in Digital, and is the keynote speaker for the Zonta Caboolture’s International Women’s Day lunch. You’ll also hear her fortnightly on ABC’s National Weekend Evenings with Sirine Demachkie, and as a regular guest on ABC Radio National’s Download This Show podcast.

Erica has been writing code for over 25 years and has experience in areas as diverse as sports analysis, train control, safety-critical software, embedded electronics, databases and the web. Erica’s strong industrial experience, mixed with a natural talent for teaching has lead to awards, commendations and a network of alumni and colleagues at leading software development companies across south-east Queensland and the world.

Erica is also an exhibited visual artist with collaborative works centred on the intersection of art, science, technology and design which have been exhibited both domestically and internationally.

ERICA’S WORK WITH TECH ADOPTION:

My work is primarily education and engagement focussed being part of the uni sector, but a previous research project saw my personas for the sunshine coast entrepreneurial ecosystem enthusiastically adopted. I am also a regular contributor to The Conversation around data privacy, and have provided comment for journalists, most recently around Apple Maps issues for SMEs on the Sunshine Coast.