In 2019, after a 36-year public service career, Dr Rosetta Romano made the leap into academia. The timing meant her transition collided head-on with the pandemic.
“New to academia and the processes at UC meant that I had to build networks quite quickly,” she said.
Her ‘baptism by fire’ was intensified by the pressure of finalising her part-time PhD while supporting colleagues who were rapidly adjusting to online teaching.
Looking for support, Romano joined Talking About Teaching and Learning (TATAL), a staff group run by the Faculty of Business, Government and Law. It became a turning point.
“I heard first-hand how teaching and learning was changing at the university and in higher education more broadly,” she said.
As an academic focused on research and education, she knew she’d be measured across teaching, learning, service, engagement and publication. Progress wouldn’t happen by accident – it would be shaped by the opportunities she created for herself.
Her goals were clear:
- Join academia for a life change. Tick.
- Join TATAL for academic support. Tick.
- Finish the PhD for credibility. Tick.
- Publish research on the legislative requirements in government forms. Tick.
Indigenising the curriculum
Much of the work that contributed to Romano’s recognition as WICked Woman of the Year began with an unexpected opportunity – to help Indigenise the curriculum within her faculty.
“We put our hands up without hesitation,” she said.
“I wanted to write about it so that others would be inspired to adopt ways of Indigenous pedagogy in their curricula.”
For Romano and her colleague Associate Professor Blooma John, this meant deep listening and guided learning.
They worked closely with UC Aboriginal Elder Aunty Ros at the Ngunnawal Centre, the Indigenous Pro-Vice Chancellor, Peter Raddoll, Kamilaroi Elder Dr Wayne Applebee and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues.
Their work has since reshaped the IT curriculum, introducing students to yarning-style tutorials, learning maps, community-focused thinking and reflections on how country sustains us – where we live, work and play.
Turning research into action
A 2023 sabbatical gave Romano the space to broaden her research and clarify where she could make the most meaningful impact.
Working with Surround Australia’s Marcus Jowsey, she collected the data needed to build a knowledge graph consolidating cyber security standards and frameworks for small businesses – a project that reinforced her belief in making complex information genuinely accessible.
Recognising that research involving Indigenous small businesses required trust and cultural understanding, Romano travelled to Wellington with Dr Wayne Applebee to share findings and invite Māori Elders to contribute. The experience deepened her appreciation for listening first, shifting pace and approaching research as a reciprocal process.
At the same time, she joined a research-development program, where she connected with a former colleague. Their initial idea didn’t progress, but the conversation led to an unexpected introduction a few months later – to someone at Nansen.
Nansen partners Andrew Collins and Rose MacDonald were working on preventing technology-enabled domestic abuse by creating a blockchain system to keep victim-survivors’ personal information secure and untampered. This work sharpened Romano’s understanding of how technology can be redesigned to support those most at risk.
The collaboration has since grown to include Associate Professor Lubna Alam at Deakin University and Alo Enlightened Women.
Romano now supervises students in this area and has secured a Department of Education National Industry PhD for another student with Nansen.
A career shaped by courage, curiosity and community
Reflecting on her journey, Romano likens it to “a game of bumper-bowling”.
“There have been a series of opportunities I’ve embraced, a series of nudges if I was going the wrong way, and a series of encounters with amazing colleagues who’ve generously shared their knowledge,” she said.
Romano feels fortunate to work in a country where academic freedom allows her to follow ideas that matter.
Her career may have started in the deep end, but its purpose remains crystal clear: to ensure technology serves people, protects the vulnerable and strengthens communities.
Dr Rosetta Romano is an Assistant Professor in Information Technology and Systems at the University of Canberra (UC). She’s a leading advocate for using technology as a force for social good.
Most recently, Rosetta was recognised as Women in ICT’s (WIC) WICked Woman of the Year – an award acknowledging her impact across the IT sector.