STEM inclusivity champions: Dr Hebtallah Shoukry
Continuing our 'STEM inclusivity champions' series, we ask Heriot-Watt alumni who are role models for underrepresented groups in STEM to share their journey, achievements, and advice, as inspiration to others in the STEM community.
In this installment we hear from Dr Hebtallah Shoukry, Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences.
The Unexpected Equation: An Electrical Engineer's Passionate Path to Data Science Teaching
Hebatallah's career journey is a truly global one, beginning with her undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering at Alexandria University. This foundational step laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable academic trajectory. Her thirst for knowledge led her across continents, earning two master's degrees – one from Friedrich Alexander Universität and another from the University of Central Florida. This early exposure to both the investigative and pedagogical aspects of academia clearly resonated, foreshadowing her future path.
However, it was during her PhD at Heriot-Watt University that a profound passion for teaching truly ignited. She discovered immense joy in engaging with her students, finding satisfaction in simple feedback like a nodding head or insightful questions. This burgeoning enthusiasm for education led her to apply for the LEADS certificate in Learning and Teaching during her third year, ultimately achieving Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
Around this time, an advertisement for a teaching position within the Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship programme caught her eye. Having gained some data analysis experience during her PhD, she decided to apply, thinking, 'Why not see what happens?' With invaluable assistance from career services, she secured an interview. A surprising feeling of competence during the interview both excited and unnerved her, as she grappled with the uncertainty of whether she truly possessed the capabilities for the role.
Her AFHEA certification, combined with her undeniable passion for teaching and the invaluable assistance of career services, proved instrumental in securing her role as an Assistant Professor in the Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship programme. Here, she primarily focused on delivering mathematical and introductory computer science courses. Her commitment to education quickly led to broader responsibilities; in 2021, she was appointed as Programme Co-Director and lead for the IT: Management for Business programme, playing a key role in its refurbishment and enhancement.
Attending the first Learning and Teaching conference on Assessment and Feedback ignited a new enthusiasm for pedagogical research, particularly in student engagement, active learning, and innovative teaching methods. This interest was further cultivated through the PGCerTL programme, culminating in her achieving Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Following a maternity leave, she returned, stepping down from her Programme Co-Lead role due to the programme's transfer to a different school. This transition allowed her to intensify her focus on enhancing teaching practices and to lead a research group on collaboration between academics and third-space professionals. This new direction was fueled by successfully securing funding for several research projects and disseminating her work at numerous conferences and internally with various institutes within the school.
Now, Heba stands at a pivotal point, grappling with a significant question: Should her next steps focus on research related to academic collaboration and building internal support systems, or should she pivot towards pedagogical student engagement and improving overall student experience? The rich experiences gained from her work on the data science programme will undoubtedly be crucial in guiding her decision for her future trajectory.