Mars Buttfield-Addison (BICT Hons ’19) is a computer scientist who uses supercomputing to monitor space debris. Now completing her PhD, she is an example of just how far the world of ICT has come at the University of Tasmania over the last 50 years.
Mars’ work on adapting astronomical radio telescopes to track debris or ‘space junk’ was showcased at the Falling Walls conference in Berlin in 2022. She has also been named a Superstar of STEM in an Australia-wide program that promotes women in science and
technology.
ICT was born at the University in 1974 when Arthur Sale became the Foundation Professor. One of his early tasks was to help choose the University’s first computer to replace the 20-year-old Elliott 503 it had shared with Hydro. The following year, the University was the joint first university in Australia (with Melbourne) to offer a three-year bachelor's degree in computing.
Now, ICT at the University has a focus on providing students with the skills to compete in the constantly changing ICT industry globally.
Mars explains the field this way. “ICT is in everything we do. Learning about it and teaching others about it means we can leverage technology for its full benefits, keep safe from its potential harms, and contribute to advancements which could change the world,” she said.
“The important thing is that improving lives is the goal, that technology works for us and not the other way around, and that people strive to keep understanding and improving it even as it advances so quickly.”
Mars’ husband, Dr Paris Buttfield-Addison (BA-BComp ’07, BComp Hons ’08, PhD ’14), is a creative technologist who works with everything from games and apps to narrative tools and educational resources.
He is co-founder and creative director of long-running Tasmanian game development studio Secret Lab.
“I’ve enjoyed watching ICT go from something that was a niche field to something that’s literally everywhere! We’re more relevant than ever,” he said.
Written by Katherine Johnson for Alumni Magazine Issue 55, 2024.
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Top of page: Mars Buttfield-Addison | Photo: Jess Oakenfull