Bio: 

Dr Ruwangi Fernando is an Information Technology specialist with over 16 years of experience in broader IT technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. Having worked as an academic internationally including in Sri Lanka UK, and Australia and a consultant for top tier companies internationally, she is now a changemaker for Women of colour in STEM and advocating for an intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion in the Australian STEM sector. 

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Dr Fernando completed her PhD at Victoria University in collaboration with Data61, CSIRO and the Department of Transport in Victoria. She has received many accolades for her research, which focuses on how computer algorithms can predict and plan for traffic disruptions caused by major events, such as football games or concerts.

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Dr Fernando believes in giving back and founded STEM Sisters to empower STEM women of Colour which delivers award-winning five structured programs along with events, workshops and advocacy campaigns. She was recognised for her efforts and awarded a 2020 STEM Women Changemaker by the Australian Academy of Science, 2022 Tech diversity Business awards and a finalist for the Pro Bono Australia 2021Impact25 awards. Dr Fernando is also the co-founder of iSTEM Co. a research, consulting and talent sourcing company whose core objective is to enable employment of women of colour as well as women from CALD backgrounds in Australia’s STEM organisations.

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She advocates for diversity and inclusion in STEM and for the importance of intersectionality. Dr Fernando appeared as a panellist and a speaker for a range of events promoting women and diversity and inclusion in STEM.

nguistically diverse.