Read about Elizaveta Busygina

What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

Having gained experience with digital forensics and open-source intelligence (OSINT) at several international organisations, the transition to a role contributing to the work of the United Nations was natural. Especially with an organisation such as UNITAD where OSINT is a key element in support of investigations and where I, as a female, can specifically support investigations of crimes against women.

What has been your favorite IT project at the United Nations and what was your technical contribution?

My favourite UN project has been to deliver capacity development for host government personnel and, through skills transfer, enabling parts of the legal system to autonomously carry out OSINT. This has allowed me to engage with Iraqis in similar roles as myself, and often first hand in field settings. It has been gratifying to see the outcomes.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

The most important advice is to spend time on education and finding an area where one can have an edge and then build further on this through more training. In my field of work, it is important to constantly stay abreast of technological advancements, utilise and maintain your skills every day, stay current and remind oneself that learning is constant.