SEPTEMBER | Qinghua Lu

Tell us about yourself,

I joined CSIRO’s Data61 in 2018. My current research focus is on software engineering for distributed trust technologies and increasingly software engineering for responsible AI. I formerly worked as a researcher at NICTA. I received her PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2013. I have published 100+ papers in total. My h-index is 23 in Google Scholar. I currently serve on the editorial board member of two premier blockchain journals: “IEEE Blockchain Technical Briefs” and Elsevier “Blockchain Research and Applications”. I am the lead guest editor of a special issue on software engineering for responsible AI for the IEEE Computer Society flagship magazine – IEEE computer (submission due in 2022). I have also organised several special issues on federated learning and blockchain in premier IEEE journals/transactions. I served in different technical roles in the organization of premier software architecture and blockchain conferences (e.g., IEEE ICSA, IEEE Blockchain, IEEE ICBC, BPM).

What gets you excited about your work or your projects?

I deeply enjoy the opportunity to work with leading scientists and industry partners to create novel solutions that bring sustainable benefits to the economy, environment, and society.

How long have you worked for Data61 and why do you like working here?

I’ve worked at Data61 for more than 3 years. We have the opportunity to tackle real-world problems and deliver innovative solutions that have an impact.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned while working for Data61?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned is collaborating with people with different backgrounds.

What is the one contribution you’ve made to SCS that you’re most proud of?

I really appreciate the opportunity to lead software engineering for the AI team and several mission-related projects.

What is the one thing you hope people would remember about you?

I hope people would remember me as a person who they can trust.

Top three professional skills

• Software Engineering
• Responsible AI
• Blockchain

Awards and accolades

I received CSRIO Julius Career Award in 2021, Data61 SCS program’s Women in Science Award in 2020 and CSIRO DNFC Team Award - Science Excellence in 2018.