What is your background?

My background is a mix of engineering and social science. My undergraduate degree is in Mechanical Engineering while my postgraduate degrees are in social science, mainly related to human factors and ergonomics. 

Tell us about your job

As an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham, my role combines teaching, research, and academic service. I teach both undergraduate and postgraduate students, designing and delivering lectures, seminars, and practical sessions that help them develop theoretical knowledge and applied skills in my field. I also supervise PhD and MSc projects, guiding students through the research process. Research is a core part of my job. I focus on advancing knowledge in human factors and ergonomics through original studies, publications, and collaborations with colleagues and industry partners. This involves preparing research proposals for both internal and external funding, securing grants, and disseminating findings through conferences and peer-reviewed journals. Beyond teaching and research, I contribute to the academic community by serving on ethics committees and engaging in ad hoc outreach activities. My role is dynamic and rewarding because it allows me to inspire students, push the boundaries of knowledge, and make a positive impact both within the university and in the wider world.

What kind of support have you found helpful in advancing your career?

I find the support provided through the Researcher Academy to be really useful as they provide various programmes to support early career academics such as training or networking opportunities. I also found that the research group I belong to - the Human Factors research group - has been really helpful in my career. Informal exchanges with researchers and academics have helped me tremendously in providing some valuable insights and navigating the jobs as an early career academic. 

What advice would you give to aspiring women in engineering?

When I did my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering in Indonesia, female students in engineering were really underrepresented as there was a misconception that engineering is very challenging and more demanding than other subjects. However I find this not to be the case. So my advice to aspiring women in engineering is to just go for it and be confident that they can do it.