Food Agility CRC is home to 64 PhD students and graduates. Each of them has made an invaluable contribution to our community of researchers and project portfolio. Having amassed over 120 research publications since we started in 2017.
For the next instalment of our PhD Success series, we catch up with Dr Stephanie Camarena (above left). We last spoke with Dr Camarena in January 2023, right after she had graduated from her PhD. Her thesis is titled ‘Artificial intelligence in food system redesign - Designing for the benefit of the whole’.
This time around, we wanted to learn what she's been up to in the intervening two years, and to see if she had any other reflections from her time as a PhD student with Food Agility CRC and RMIT.
1. Hi Stephanie. Tell us about the most rewarding element of doing a PhD.
Stephanie Camarena (SC): The feeling of total privilege in being able to pursue a subject I am passionate about in great details and great depth. Getting to the bottom of things and discovering avenues in my work I could never have imagined otherwise.
2. What else did you value about your PhD experience?
SC: I did a PhD in Design that was very much focused on project work. This brought me very close to companies, not-for-profits, government and research teams and allowed me to develop research that is very relevant and applicable.
3. Following the completion of your PhD, you founded Source Transitions. Tell us about your work here.
SC: Source Transitions is a design-led innovation consultancy focused on AI and sustainability impact. We work with startups and start-up minded companies to discover the next horizon of business models, products and services that will drive societal and sustainability impact.
We create value and competitive advantage but not at the cost of people and planet. I have been asked to work on remodelling sustainable food systems for supply chains, I have worked with a few startups on designing new business models and products. I have also been privileged to bring my experience with AI and sustainability to the global stage where I facilitated AI inclusive futures at the UN AI for Good conference last year.
That is part of some of the industry and community workshops I have conducted. I am also an expert on the OECD GPAI Scaling of Responsible AI Solutions initiative. That is a lot of work on working with AI for sustainable and ethical impact and I pinch myself at times.
4. What excites you the most about working in Sustainability & Artificial Intelligence?
SC: What drives me the most is the democratisation of tools and knowledge. I have worked on many projects where people without much digital literacy have come up with outstanding new approaches to the problems they face. AI can help communities leapfrog to new ways of doing things.
The only thing that limits us is our capacity to imagine. We need creativity and imagination as well as courage to face the economic, environmental and societal challenges and to dare to try new things. I think AI can support that if we shape its use appropriately and ethically. There is also so much work in understanding the ethical constraints that come with AI and helping others navigate them.
5. What's your top advice to someone starting their PhD journey?
SC: Progress over perfection. It can be overwhelming wondering if you have the right topic, the right questions or the right methods. Even if it's not perfect, just focus on the next best step and you will find that progress will bring clarity over time.
6. What’s the value of CRC engagement for students undertaking HDR study?
SC: I particularly enjoyed finding out what other students in the CRC were researching. The CRC provides a home for your work, and you start networking in a community of practice that becomes your tribe. That is important and valuable.
Dr Stephanie Camarena presented at the 2023 Digital Agrifood Summit.
