Professor Asha Rao

Professor Asha Rao is a mathematician by training and applies algebraic techniques to a wide variety of problems, ranging from designing better codes for communication, to detecting money laundering and describing human interactions in the physical space. Her research has led to traditional outputs such as grants and publications, and non-traditional outputs such as an art installation, invitations to closed and open meetings on cybersecurity as well as to observe the United Nations intergovernmental meetings on cybercrime. As a cybersecurity expert, she appears regularly on audio visual and print media and has won RMIT Media star awards.

Professor Rao started her academic career as a casual tutor at RMIT in 1992, rising through the ranks to become professor. Currently the Associate Dean of Mathematical Sciences at RMIT, she has undertaken leadership roles within RMIT and outside. In 2020, she became the first female Director (Interim) of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI), in addition to her role as Associate Dean. AMSI is the joint venture of 14 Australian universities, and the peak body advocating for mathematics in Australia.

Asha is passionate about mathematics and gender issues that stymie the progress of women and girls in STEM careers. As the founding chair of Women in Maths, she put in place several initiatives to improve gender equity within the mathematical sciences in Australia.

As Associate Dean of Mathematical Sciences, Asha brought the RMIT Mathematical Sciences Department to gender neutrality among academic staff – a significant achievement in a male-dominated field. She continues to talk about the need for girls to do mathematics, in traditional media as well as on social media.