Rebecca Robinson
Faculty of Information Technology
It’s OK to struggle
Rebecca wants to bust the myth that if something’s ‘hard’ then only the ‘really smart people’ can do it.
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
Theoretical computer science is often seen as intimidating, however I do my best to make it more accessible, engaging, and fun. Students often arrive at university a little bit scared of complex theoretical subjects. In my teaching approach I try to break through that fear and show that complexity doesn’t have to mean confusion. Real change can be driven by a focus on permission: permission to ask questions, to not get it right the first time, to feel like you belong even in the most abstract topics. When students feel safe to learn, theory stops being a gatekeeper and becomes something they can take ownership of themselves.
How do you help students build confidence, not just knowledge?
I frame mistakes as essential to the learning process, acknowledging that everyone struggles with complex ideas at first. Confidence builds when students feel seen, supported, and capable of growth.
What do you hope your students remember about you 10 years from now? What mindset do you want your students to carry into their careers?
I hope they remember a sense that doors were opening for them, and that they could see more possibilities than they did before. I hope they carry with them a desire to keep asking questions and exploring new ideas throughout the rest of their lives.
I frame mistakes as essential to the learning process, acknowledging that everyone struggles with complex ideas at first. ”
What legacy or ripple effect do you hope to leave behind?
I'd like to help shift the culture of computer science education toward one that values belonging, creativity, and diverse pathways into the field. Whether it’s through redesigning a curriculum, mentoring newer academics, or helping a student achieve something that they thought was beyond them, I hope the ripple effect is a generation of students who feel empowered to do meaningful, inclusive work, and who then mentor others in turn.
What’s the biggest myth about university education?
The idea that if something’s ‘hard’ then only the ‘really smart people’ can do it. I'd like students to know it’s okay to struggle – that’s part of learning! Just because something doesn’t come easily doesn’t mean it’s not for you. University should be a place where you’re supported to take on big challenges and grow through them.