Monash Uni research fellow Delvin Varghese designs tech to empower local communities
At uni, Delvin studied bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science. Then he turned to research to meet his dream of having a positive impact in the world. He completed a Master of Research and a PhD, both focused on using digital technologies for social good.
“Discovering that I could do research in highly practical ways was exciting,” Delvin says. “It wasn’t as theoretical as the stereotypes.”
Today, Delvin continues to make an impact with his research at Monash University’s Department of Human-Centred Computing’s Action Lab, where he engages with non-profits and NGOs (like Oxfam and the Red Cross/Crescent), as well as local communities, to help design and develop culturally appropriate technology and digital strategies.
Meeting cultural needs
Delvin says his work is all about asking the community or group he’s partnering with what their needs are and how they can be met – be they cultural, environmental, financial or any other type of need.
For example, one project involved developing new technology to enable health workers in rural India to remotely take part in training and mentoring sessions.
More recently, Delvin worked on a set of social media activities to enable NGOs who work with vulnerable young people to connect with them on the platforms they actually use, like TikTok and WhatsApp.
Delvin’s global career has drawn not just on his computer skills and qualifications, but his skills in collaboration, project management, languages and international development.
“You never know what all the options are until you start exploring,” he says.
Delvin’s pathway
- Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), Bangor University
- Master of Research (Digital Civics), University of Newcastle
- PhD (Technology and Community Development), University of Newcastle
- Master of Science (Computer Science), Bangor University
- Research Fellow, Monash University
This article was brought to you in partnership with Monash University and was originally published in Careers with STEM: Technology.
READ MORE:
