Getting to know...Julie Fisher
Name: Julie Fisher.
Title: Professor.
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Information Technology.
Research Centre: Centre for Organisational and Social Informatics.
Campus: Caulfield.
How long have you worked at Monash? 13 years.
Where did you work prior to starting at the University? Victoria University.
What do you like best about your role? I have the freedom to undertake research in a wide range of areas.
Why did you choose your current career path? I came to Monash because it had a great reputation and I knew I would have a good career path. Once here I was able to reach my goal of becoming a professor – I wanted to reach the top of my discipline.
First job? Sandwich hand (serious job was secondary school teacher).
Worst job? Waitress.
What research/projects are you currently working on and what does it involve? I am interested in gender and IT and how we can increase girls’ interest in IT careers as it is a great career option for women. I am also working a project that uses affordable technology (Microsoft Kinect) to teach parents of deaf children sign language with feedback.
What is your favourite place in the world and why? I love India, the food, the history, the fact that there is so much and it’s so different.
What is your favourite place to eat and why? No particular place – I love eating at a variety of places.
What is the best piece of advice you have received? Someone once suggested I do a research Masters because I really didn’t want to go back to classes which a course work Masters involved.
Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know? I grew up on a sheep farm and know more about sheep than I care to remember.