HackAIthon judges

Our judging panel for HackAIthon brings together leading academics and industry professionals, with expertise to evaluate your solutions and choose the most outstanding projects.

Each team will make a 3-minute presentation and have 2 minutes of questions from the semi-final judges.
The top 8 teams will be chosen to make 4-minute presentations, with 3 minutes of questions from the final judges, to choose the winners.

Check the judging criteria.

Meet our judges

Semi-final judges

Jisoo Kim, Clear AI

Jisoo Kim is Co-Founder and Director of ClearAI, an Australian advisory making AI adoption safe, responsible and impactful.

Drawing on a background in national security, diplomacy and strategic communications, she now focuses on AI governance, risk and change leadership.
Jisoo brings a geopolitically-informed, pragmatic approach to how Australia adopts AI sustainably and ethically – for human flourishing now and into the future.

Her previous roles include Digital Media Adviser to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Policy Adviser to the Chief of Joint Operations at Defence

Learn more about Jisoo Kim (requires LinkedIn account)

Dr Shahrzad Roohy Gohar, UQ

Dr Shahrzad Roohy Gohar is a Lecturer in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland. Dr Shahrzad Roohy Gohar is also a judge for the finals.

Her research focuses on Green Information Systems, business process management, and digital solutions that help organisations measure and manage environmental performance.
She also studies digital mental healthcare systems to improve continuity of care and service quality.

She previously served as Executive Officer (Funding Chair) for the AIS Women’s Network and received a leadership award from the Association for Information Systems.

Dr Rob Rouse, UQ

Dr Rob Rouse is a Lecturer in Education at the University of Queensland whose research focuses on hands-on STEM learning and maker education.

He studies how teachers can design innovative, integrated classroom experiences using school makerspaces.
With experience partnering with schools and community organisations, his work supports educators in creating engaging, practical learning opportunities that connect science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students and teachers.

Associate Professor Lyndel Bates, Griffith University

Associate Professor Lyndel Bates is an award-winning criminology researcher at the Griffith Criminology Institute.

Her work focuses on policing, particularly road policing, driver behaviour, and translating research into public policy.
With over 20 years of research and policy experience, including roles with the Queensland Parliamentary Service, she has secured more than $5 million in research funding and led major government-funded projects on driver education and young driver compliance.

Dr Michael Vincent, UQ

Dr Michael Vincent is a philosopher at the University of Queensland whose work explores ethics, public reasoning, and the role of values in diverse societies.

His research connects moral philosophy with moral psychology to better understand ethical decision-making.
He teaches across environmental philosophy, political philosophy, responsible data science, and professional ethics, helping students examine ethical challenges in modern society.

Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald, UQ

Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland.

An internationally recognised expert in digital education, she leads initiatives in curriculum innovation, generative AI, and inclusive teaching.
She co-chairs the national TEFA Network and serves as Senior Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, contributing to global discussions on AI and the future of higher education.

Final judges

Professor Kris Ryan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) UQ

Professor Kris Ryan is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Queensland, where he leads initiatives to enhance teaching quality, student success, and the overall student experience.

His work focuses on education innovation, learning environments, and digital assessment technologies.
He has published over 80 academic works and led the development of innovative teaching spaces and eAssessment platforms.

Professor Ryan's contributions have received international recognition, including the Australian Financial Review Education Award and the International eAssessment Award.

Learn more about Professor Kris Ryan

Dr Shahrzad Roohy Gohar

Dr Shahrzad Roohy Gohar is also a judge for the semi-finals. See information above.

Professor Shazia Sadiq, UQ

Professor Shazia Sadiq FTSE is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Queensland.

Her research focuses on responsible data management, data quality, and reducing bias in advanced analytical systems to support trustworthy, data-driven decision-making.
She has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and secured more than $20 million in research funding.

A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, she leads UQ’s AI Research Network and helped establish the university’s Master of Data Science program to strengthen Australia’s data science capability.

Learn more about Professor Shazia Sadiq

Professor Janet Wiles, UQ

Professor Janet Wiles is a Professor of Human Centred Computing at the University of Queensland.

Her research spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, language technologies, and social robotics, with a focus on designing technology that supports people and communities.
She leads multidisciplinary projects developing language tools for people living with dementia and their carers, and co-designs socially assistive robots for health and education.

With over 30 years of research and teaching experience, she also leads initiatives in human-centred AI, exploring ethical, trustworthy, and psychologically informed approaches to AI design.

Learn more about Professor Janet Wiles