Women in Science: Hina Anwar, Lecturer of Software Engineering

From 9-15 February 2026, the University of Tartu will host a themed week to celebrate the "Women in Science" day. During this week, we aim to highlight the work and achievements of our researchers and have invited them to answer three questions. This time, Hina Anwar, Lecturer of Software Engineering and Programme Director for Software Engineering master shares her thoughts.

Please describe briefly your field of research.

My research focuses on Sustainable Software Engineering and Green AI, with the aim of developing ways to make software and AI systems more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. I study how software design, implementation, and architectural decisions influence energy consumption in software systems.

A key part of my work involves developing methods, metrics, and tool support to measure and analyze software energy efficiency. This includes research on energy-aware development, software analytics for sustainability and improved software quality, and Green AI practices that help make intelligent systems more resource-efficient, not just smarter. Overall, my goal is to support developers and organizations in building software that is not only functional and intelligent, but also environmentally responsible.

What do you especially like about being a scientist?

What I like most about being a scientist is the freedom to slow down and think deeply about problems that are often treated superficially in practice. Sustainability and Green AI are frequently discussed, but research allows me to look beyond slogans and truly understand what makes software more energy-efficient—and what does not.

I also enjoy the process itself: reading, experimenting, refining ideas, and sometimes realizing that an assumption I had was simply wrong. This continuous learning, along with the opportunity to build tools or insights that others can use, is what keeps me motivated. Research can be frustrating at times, but it is also very satisfying when things finally start to make sense.

Who have you looked up to, and why?

Rather than having a single role model, I have been influenced by several researchers and mentors over the years whose work combines technical depth with a strong sense of responsibility. I have always appreciated scientists who are rigorous in their methods, but also honest about limitations and trade-offs, especially in areas like sustainability, where easy answers can be tempting.

I have also looked up to women in computing who have quietly built strong research careers while balancing teaching, supervision, and service. Their persistence and consistency have been especially inspiring to me, and they have shaped how I think about success in academia.

From 9 to 15 February, the University of Tartu will hold a theme week "Women in Science". During this week, we would like to highlight the work and achievements of our women scientists. The Day of Women in Science has been celebrated in Estonia at the initiative of the University of Tartu and the Estonian Young Academy of Sciences (EYAS) since 2021. The day aims to underline the role of women and girls in science, break stereotypes and encourage women to pursue a career in science.

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