I am an engineer passionate about humanity. My work lies at the intersection of humanitarian action, development and emerging technology, fields that are multifaceted and complex.
I draw upon design science as a starting point to navigate the complexities at the intersection between technology and crises-affected settings. Grounded in sociotechnical systems and engineering design, I help organisations rethink how technology is developed and implemented.
Because Tech is not neutral
Reframing technology development from the traditional problem–solution approach to an opportunity–exploration process centred on learning.
Moving from abstract design principles to practical design decisions that are explicit and allow to trace high-level intentions through concrete design methods and user enagement.
Bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, while continuously questioning assumptions and challenging power dynamics.
working together
I work with organisations to move beyond abstract design approaches (e.g., human-centred, participatory, rights-based, etc.) into concrete practice.
I support teams in guiding and tracing their commitments to ethical and responsible technology development. I do so by applying an evidence-based framework that traces design methods and end-user engagement, and makes design decisions clear and transparent. This framework further supports accoutnability by enabling the documentation of how intentions, methods and user input shape the design process.
The right questions lead to better solutions. I help teams critically examine and identify their strengths and knowledge gaps. Through workshops and training grounded in reflexive practice, we create structured spaces for learning where teams can identify and challenge their assumptions. This can involve interactive exercises where participants map who their intended users are and identify where important perspectives or contextual knowledge may be missing.
I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to both industry and academia. I help translate between technical, operational, and policy perspectives, enabling diverse stakeholders to make informed decisions.
My research expertise includes qualitative and participatory research methods, case-based inquiry, and multimethod synthesis for analysing complex socio-technical systems. Beyond research, I offer expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic partnership and business development.
ABOUT ME
I have worked across sectors at global tech companies like IBM, international NGOs such as the Red Cross in Australia and the UN in Europe, as well as engaged with social enterprise and grassroots organisations in Colombia and India. My work sits at the intersection of technology and social impact, helping teams navigate complex challenges based on evidence and through stakeholder engagement and reflexive practice. This breadth of experience has provided me with an understanding of how different operational models, funding mechanisms, and decision-making processes influence the adoption of technology across diverse and high-risk contexts.
My research centres on emerging tehcnology development for humantiarian action and development assistance and have most recently investigated how emerging technologies are conceptualised, developed and integrated in these contexts. My research work builds upon on three key areas:
Beyond Research and practice:
My teaching experience spans undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programmes, including co-coordinating large courses and developing and delivering a range of teaching materials through face-to-face, blended, and online delivery. I use experiential learning to reinforce empathy and collaborative design approaches to expose students to real-world engineering design for humanitarian challenges.
Affiliations
I have shared insights from my work at various international conferences. My contributions aim to challenge conventional approaches and push for transformative technology design and adoption.
Doctoral Thesis. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia 2026, DOI: 10.25439/rmt.32181633
An investigation into the development of emerging technology for humanitarian action and development assistance
Research paper published in the Jorunal of Information Technology for Development 32(1), 48-68. 2026, DOI: 10.17705/1ITD.032103
Research for Development Impact Network (RDI) Exchange Conference 10-11 July 2025, University of Tehcnology Sydney (AU)
RightsCon: The World’s Leading Summit on Human Rights in the Digital Age 24-27 February 2025, Taipei International Convention Center (Taiwan)
Crisis in the Anthropocene: Rethinking Connection and Agency for Development 28–30 June 2023, University of Reading (UK)
Together, we can amplify and showcase the impact of your work and contribute to the collective knowledge in this field.
I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work. I honour their enduring contributions to knowledge, science and technology over the past 60,000 years, and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
© All Rights Reserved | Juliana Carreno 2025
Together, we can amplify and showcase the impact of your work and enrich the collective knowledge in this field.
Doctoral Thesis. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia 2026, DOI: 10.25439/rmt.32181633