{"id":69036,"date":"2026-01-29T22:12:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/887785587"},"modified":"2026-01-29T22:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:12:33","slug":"finding-belonging-in-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/finding-belonging-in-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Belonging In Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Working at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI), Kiowa Scott-Hurley helps Defence tackle complex technical problems every day.<\/p>\n

As a person living with a disability and an Aboriginal woman working in tech, she is also an active role model who challenges traditional assumptions.<\/p>\n

Miss Scott-Hurley aims to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders, especially girls and young women, by sharing her story.<\/p>\n

She believes that no matter what obstacles someone faces in daily life, they too can become an AI expert, STEM leader or do whatever they set their mind on.<\/p>\n

Hailing from Gippsland in regional Victoria, Miss Scott-Hurley completed a cadetship program at CSIRO while studying.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mentor of mine who was working in scientific computing at CSIRO encouraged me to apply for the cadetship,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI picked up Python and C++ programming while working to implement encryption algorithms. I also learned some basic machine learning skills and how to use a supercomputer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2018For the first time, I felt like someone like me belonged at university.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Miss Scott-Hurley majored in philosophy and pure mathematics, and went on to complete a master\u2019s degree in cybersecurity while working at Defence Science and Technology Group. A Dja Dja Wurrung woman, she said that going to university was an eye-opening experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my first year of university, I met other First Nations students from regional areas and I was amazed to learn they were studying to become doctors, lawyers, robotics engineers, historians,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first time, I felt like someone like me belonged at university.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Alongside other trailblazing women with disabilities, Miss Scott-Hurley was chosen to be featured in the RACI x Rebel Girls project<\/a>. This collaboration between the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and Rebel Girls shows young people there is a place for everyone in STEM.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy condition is called POTS \u2013 postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like a cardiovascular illness, but it\u2019s actually neurological. My autonomic nervous system forgets to regulate my blood pressure, so I get low blood pressure, and then fast heart rate, and then dizziness and fainting and fatigue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Scott-Hurley explained that managing her illness means that no two days are the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a dynamic illness,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I need time off or accommodations. Sometimes I am \u2018normal\u2019 and just have to wear ugly compression socks to manage symptoms. Luckily, the existence of nurses means you can find cute compression socks if you go looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

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She has a walking stick for those days when her condition makes moving around an effort, and said it is a great conversation-starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the best conversations that I have had about my condition have been at work,\u201d Miss Scott-Hurley said. \u201cSomeone will stop me and say how much they love my sparkly walking stick, that their mother is looking for one and ask me where I got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Scott-Hurley said that she appreciates the flexible working conditions available to Defence employees, as this makes managing her condition easier and enables her to produce her best work.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome days I need to work from home. Sometimes I might need time off,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so fortunate that I work in an area where I get to do work that I love.\u201d<\/p>\n