What first got you interested in technology and how old were you?

I honestly don't know that I am that "interested" in technology, I just seem to have an affinity with it. This started when I was about 14 or 15 and I did computing at high school. Back then, around 1985, the technology we were using was pretty primitive - such as punch card readers for input devices! I was the only student who got their computer program to actually work. Later, when I joined the workforce as a bookkeeper, computers were being used increasingly and I just seemed to pick things up quickly. It wasn't long before everyone was coming to me for help with their problems. This later saw me employed as a casual lecturer teaching computer applications to adults in a college similar to a TAFE.

What particular areas of technology are you interested in?

I am more interested in the social side of technology, teaching people to use technology more productively and securely. I was planning to go into computer security and did quite a lot of study in this area, but then my PhD topic hit me from out of the blue, and that is the direction that my interest lies in now.

What appeals to you about studying IT?