Meet the WISE 鈥� Emilia Viaene
We want to put our members in the spotlight! For the Meet the WISE series, we interview WISE members in different stages of their careers across the university. We hope that their stories, experiences and career paths can be an inspiration to other women at 黑料福利网.
Hello! Can you introduce yourself and the kind of research that you're doing at 黑料福利网?
I'm Emilia Viaene, a PhD candidate in the Department of Industrial Design. I've actually recently submitted my PhD thesis and am currently finalizing the process.
My research has been focused on the role of learning agents (i.e., automated machine-learning technologies) in the home. I study how such technologies interact with the messy realities of everyday life, what aspects of human behavior and domestic practices are captured or overlooked by data, and how designers can create technologies that genuinely support people rather than requiring people to adapt to technology.
A central question throughout my work has been how design can help ensure that automated systems contribute positively to daily life and sustainability goals.
How did you end up pursuing a PhD at 黑料福利网?
I studied Product Development at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. During my master's, a professor encouraged me to consider a PhD, something I had never really thought about before. Although that particular opportunity did not end up materializing, it sparked my interest in academic research.
When I came across this PhD position at 黑料福利网, I immediately connected with both the topic and supervisors. I was already interested in how technologies shape everyday life and how design decisions can have unintended consequences. The opportunity to explore those questions in depth, while continuously learning and developing new skills, was very appealing.
Who or what has inspired you throughout your academic journey? Do you have a role model that comes to mind?
Rather than one specific role model, I have been inspired by many people and ideas throughout my PhD.
Several researchers have strongly influenced my work, particularly through their research on technology, domestic life, and social practices. Books such as The Smart Wife by Yolande Strengers and More Work for Mother by Ruth Schwartz Cowan offered me valuable perspectives on how technologies can reshape expectations within everyday life. Their work challenged the common assumption that technological innovation automatically reduces effort and improves people's lives, and instead encouraged a more critical examination of how technologies perpetuate and intensify certain social norms, and how they influence our everyday routines and responsibilities. with.
I have also learned enormously from my supervisors, whose expertise and perspectives have played a major role in shaping my development as a researcher. Beyond that, my colleagues and fellow PhD candidates have been a constant source of inspiration. Seeing how others approach their research, overcome setbacks, and navigate the challenges of academia has often helped me reflect on my own journey. Being surrounded by people working on very different topics has continually broadened my perspective and reminded me of the many ways there are to contribute to research and knowledge.
As a PhD can be quite demanding, were there specific challenges you encountered during your PhD?
One challenge was dealing with uncertainty. Unlike more structured educational programs, the milestones in a PhD are often not clearly defined. It can be difficult to know whether you are progressing as expected or whether you should be doing something differently.
What helped me most was learning to accept that uncertainty and trusting my supervisors. I have been fortunate to work with supervisors who consistently provided guidance and reassurance when I doubted my progress.
Since you just submitted your thesis, have you given thought to the next steps? Do you see yourself staying in academia?
At the moment, I am still figuring that out. I am very excited by research and by the possibility of continuing to contribute to the field. At the same time, the uncertainty associated with academic careers gives me pause. Questions about long-term stability, future plans, and work-life balance all play a role in that decision. For now, I remain open to different possibilities.
Looking back on your PhD journey, is there something that stands out the most to you now?
One of the most important lessons has been learning not to compare myself to others. During the final years of my PhD, especially while writing my thesis, I struggled with imposter syndrome and anxiety. I often compared my progress to that of colleagues who had different opportunities, challenges, and personal circumstances. Over time, I realized how unhelpful those comparisons were. Submitting my thesis made me look back and see how much I had actually learned and grown. I've come to appreciate that every PhD trajectory is unique. When I compare myself only to where I was a few years ago, I feel proud of what I have achieved.
How did you become involved with WISE?
My first WISE activity was back in 2023, when I joined the Annual WISE Writing Retreat. It was my first experience with a structured writing retreat, and I immediately appreciated the supportive atmosphere. Writing alongside other researchers, while having dedicated time and space to focus on my work, was both motivating and encouraging.
More recently, the WISE event that left the biggest impression on me was last year's Annual WISE Event on Imposter Syndrome. It came at a time when I was struggling with those feelings myself, so the topic resonated deeply. What stood out most was hearing women from different academic backgrounds and career stages openly discuss their experiences. It was reassuring to realize that many of the doubts and insecurities I was facing were shared by others, including people much further along in their careers. The event encouraged me to reflect on my own journey and helped me view my challenges from a different perspective. It reminded me that academic careers are rarely linear and that everyone faces their own obstacles, even if those struggles are not always visible from the outside. That sense of openness and shared experience is something I value greatly about the WISE community.
Why do you think organizations like WISE are important?
I work in Industrial Design, where gender representation is relatively balanced in my view, so I have not often been very aware of my gender in my day-to-day work. I consider myself fortunate in that respect. However, I also realize that this experience is not universal, and that women in other departments, disciplines, or career stages may face very different challenges.
One of the things I value most about WISE is the opportunity to learn about those diverse experiences. Through events and conversations, I have gained insight into the different obstacles women can encounter in academia, ranging from questions of representation and visibility to issues such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Even when some of those challenges are not my own at this point, understanding them helps me reflect on my own experiences and on how academic environments can better support everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
One thing I wish I had done more of during my PhD is to connect with people outside my immediate research group.
Every time I have attended a WISE event, I have come away with new perspectives and a greater appreciation for the diversity of experiences within academia. Talking to people from different departments and hearing about their experiences often helped me better understand my own.
Finding that sense of community is incredibly valuable, and it is something I would encourage every PhD candidate to invest in. Ultimately, I think organizations like WISE are important because they help foster a more inclusive and supportive academic culture. They create spaces where people can share their experiences and work together towards an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Lastly, what are your hopes for women in science and academia?
In general, I hope we can continue building academic environments where people feel safe to learn in their own unique way and at a reasonable pace. With the current technological changes and discussions around the role of generative AI in academia, I sometimes worry that there is already so much focus on productivity and achievement, and that genuine curiosity and slower-paced learning are getting overlooked more and more. While I understand that output matters in academia, I believe research is strongest when there is room for exploration and reflection. I hope we can preserve spaces where human imperfection is still valued, so people feel safe to make their own mistakes and learn from them.