Dr. Asma Aziz is a Senior Lecturer in Power Engineering in the School of Engineering at ECU, specialising in smart and sustainable power systems. Her research focuses on power system, integrating new energy technologies, and enhancing grid reliability. Before joining ECU, Dr. Aziz lectured at Deakin University, holding a PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering there and a Master of Technology in Energy and Environmental Management from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
A passionate advocate for STEM and sustainable energy innovation, Dr. Aziz is dedicated to high-quality education, impactful research, and fostering collaborations with industry. Her expertise includes sustainable engineering design, energy system modelling and integration, and battery storage - particularly second-life applications for EV batteries. Her research has secured substantial funding from organisations like iMOVE CRC and CSIRO.
A recognised voice in her field, Dr. Aziz has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and has been featured in major media outlets, translating complex technical topics for broader audiences. She has represented Australia in International Energy Agency tasks and mentors SMEs through CSIRO's "Innovate to Grow" program. Dr. Aziz is an member of several professional organisations, including the Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA), where she serves as the National University Liaison.
Dr. Aziz is both a champion for Athena Swan at ECU and for women in STEM, driven by a lifelong passion for the field inherited from her family of engineers.
- As a woman in research, what or who inspired you to pursue your career in power engineering and specifically improving the uptake of distributed energy resources across Australia?
My biggest inspiration was my father, a mechanical engineer, who always made me feel that STEM was for everyone—not just for men. He nurtured my curiosity from a young age and treated my ambitions with the same seriousness as he would a son’s. That early encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue engineering and shaped the trajectory of my career. Today, I try to pass that same encouragement on—especially to young women aspiring to enter this field.
Australia’s journey to net-zero by 2050 depends on the widespread adoption of renewable energy. But integrating renewable energy resources comes with significant technical challenges—particularly around maintaining grid stability and reliability. This is where power engineers play a pivotal role. We need more professionals who can analyse, design, and manage this transition effectively. It's a space full of opportunity and impact.
- What challenges you about being a researcher in the School of Engineering and within the electrical and power engineering discipline?
One of the most compelling challenges—and motivations—in my research is the sheer pace and complexity of the energy transition. As a power systems researcher, I’m working at the intersection of ageing infrastructure, rapidly evolving technologies, and ambitious decarbonisation targets. This means our field must constantly adapt, innovate, and anticipate future needs, all while ensuring the grid remains stable, secure, and equitable.
In the School of Engineering at ECU, we’re uniquely positioned to tackle these challenges by combining rigorous academic inquiry with real-world collaboration. However, the difficulty lies in bridging long-term research with short-term industry needs. The discipline has expanded beyond traditional power systems to include distributed energy resources, digitalisation, and grid resilience. Keeping pace with this evolution demands constant learning, cross-sector collaboration, and systems-level thinking. Ensuring that our research stays relevant in such a fast-moving environment requires constant upskilling and deep engagement with government, industry, and the public.
It’s intellectually challenging work, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting. We are solving real-world problems in real time, and the knowledge we generate today will help shape tomorrow’s energy landscape.
- What challenges you about being a lecturer and mentor for women in ECU’s School of Engineering?
One challenge is that many young women still don’t see engineering as a place where they truly belong. While we’ve made progress in improving representation, issues like lack of visibility, confidence gaps, and limited access to role models continue to impact women's experiences.
At ECU, we embrace a multidisciplinary and inclusive learning environment, which is essential for encouraging more women and underrepresented groups to engage in renewable energy and engineering. I find mentoring women students one of the most rewarding aspects of my role—supporting them in building confidence, navigating their career paths, and recognising their potential. Many of my students have gone on to do post-graduation and PhD and land amazing jobs in renewable energy.
It’s also deeply personal. My own journey included a career break when I moved countries, and I know how hard it can be to rebuild. That experience drives me to help women see that there’s no one path to success—persistence, passion, and support make all the difference.
- Electrical power engineers are becoming highly sought as there is a skilled labour shortage, so these positions are now in-demand. How do you feel your research translates into a real-world application and how do you manage these relationships either formally or informally with industry?
The transition to clean energy is not just an academic exercise—it’s happening in the real world, and engineers are at the centre of it. My research directly supports real-world challenges in the energy sector—like how to integrate renewable energy, improve grid reliability, and repurpose technologies such as second-life EV batteries. These are not just academic problems; they are critical to Australia’s clean energy transition and workforce demand.
I work closely with industry partners through formal collaborations, advisory roles, and research projects. Programs like CSIRO’s “Innovate to Grow” have allowed me to mentor SMEs and align research with commercial needs. I also maintain informal connections through technical panels, joint workshops, and ongoing discussions with utilities and startups. Whether it’s in industry meetings, research panels, or media interviews, I make sure women’s voices are heard in the energy sector. Public communication is another key aspect—I regularly engage with the prominent media outlets like ABC News, The Guardian, AusSMC and The Conversation to help translate evidence-based research into actionable insights for policy and the broader community.
- You have become a role model for women researchers and women in STEM; do you have any advice for how women can succeed and thrive within their own research careers?
STEM needs diverse voices and perspectives—so if you’re passionate about science, technology, or engineering, don’t hesitate. Follow your interests. Be fearless.
Speak up. Ask questions. Share your ideas. You have a seat at the table. Don’t wait for validation—claim your space in labs, in leadership, and in innovation. And support each other. Progress is not just about individual success—it’s about lifting others as you grow.
There’s no single path to success. Your journey may include pauses or pivots—but what matters is persistence and purpose. The world needs more women problem-solvers, creators, and changemakers to lead the transition toward a sustainable future.
