Sonabayim

What does it take to lead at the intersection of cutting-edge robotics research, ethical AI governance, and international collaboration? This talk draws on firsthand experience conducting humanoid robot research across Japan, France, Belgium, and Italy, developing governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment in eldercare settings, and building IEEE Women in Engineering Azerbaijan into a community of over 200 engineers. From fieldwork with android robots at Tohoku University to selection as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University, the session explores how technical rigor, cross-cultural fluency, and institutional initiative compound into consequential leadership, and what that looks like in practice for the next generation of engineers.

Biography:

Sonabayim Huseynzade is a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University, the only engineer selected from Azerbaijan worldwide in a program with a 1.5% global acceptance rate. An automation and robotics engineer with international research experience across Germany, Japan, France, Belgium, and Italy, she works at the forefront of emotionally responsive human-robot interaction, AI ethics, and cross-cultural design. She is the founder and Chair of IEEE Women in Engineering Azerbaijan, uniting over 200 women in engineering and technology across the region. Her research on humanoid robots includes fieldwork in Japanese eldercare facilities utilizing hyper-realistic android robots. She has published and presented her work at leading international robotics conferences, serves as a peer reviewer for several prominent venues, and is a committee member for social robotics conferences.

Mariapia of Politecnico di Torino

Achieving gender parity in STEM remains a key challenge for higher education institutions committed to fostering inclusive excellence and innovation. The Politecnico di Torino has developed a comprehensive framework to address gender disparities through long‑term, data‑driven policies. Its initiatives include the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) and Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), the Gender Observatory, and systematic monitoring through recurring Gender Equality Reports. These instruments collectively guide strategic actions aimed at increasing women’s participation, supporting career advancement, and counteracting both horizontal and vertical segregation in STEM fields. [polito.it]

Significant progress has been achieved, as demonstrated by targeted incentive policies that have increased female promotions to senior academic positions and reduced the gender gap in top‑level faculty roles between 2018 and 2024. Parallel initiatives such as WeAreHERe promote women’s enrollment in engineering programs and raise awareness of gender stereotypes within the STEM pipeline. [torinocronaca.it] [weareherepolito.it]

Through these integrated efforts, Politecnico di Torino positions gender equality as a strategic asset, demonstrating how institutional commitment, continuous monitoring, and dedicated programs can strengthen women’s presence and success in STEM—ultimately enriching scientific excellence and fostering a more inclusive academic community.

Biography:

Officer and Project Manager at the Energy Department of Politecnico di Torino, specializing in learning innovation, training development, and science communication. I lead the Department’s communication and social media strategy and coordinate international education programs, including Erasmus and InnoEnergy.

I contribute to high-impact initiatives such as DHC Academy and H2Start, supporting capacity building and technology development in the energy transition. My work focuses on improving educational quality, enhancing user engagement, and effectively communicating research outcomes. Author of more 20 scientific contributions and actively engaged in European networks on energy education and digitalization.