Dr. Abigail Joseph

Meet the Speaker:

Dr. Abigail Joseph (she/her) is an accomplished educator and leader in computer science education and innovation. With a career spanning nearly two decades in the California Bay Area, she has dedicated herself to empowering underrepresented groups in STEAM and fostering a love for technology and problem-solving in students. Recognizing the pivotal role of middle school, Dr. Joseph intentionally focused her efforts on this age group, encouraging and supporting minoritized groups to explore computer science pathways. Her academic journey began with her introduction to programming at a young age, inspiring her to earn a BSE from Princeton, and an MS/Ph.D. from the University of California - Santa Cruz in Computer Science.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Joseph has made significant contributions to the broader community. As an inaugural Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Equity Fellow and Board member for CSTA and Maker Nexus, a Silicon Valley community makerspace, she champions equity and access to STEAM. Her 2022 TEDx talk "Ubuntu Innovation: A Beacon for Humanity" outlines her vision for bringing the power of innovation to everyone. As an innovation coach and creativity advocate, she helps adults reclaim play, joy, and wonder as powerful tools to move away from burnout, overcome challenges, and get unstuck. Currently, as Lead Instructor for the Oracle Education Foundation, she designs curricula using design thinking, futures thinking, and emerging technologies delivering programs to empower high school students nationwide with technical skills and creative confidence. Through her multifaceted roles and passions, Dr. Joseph remains dedicated to creating educational opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators and foster a culture of lifelong curiosity. Driven by a belief in education's transformative power, she champions using technology as a force for positive change in communities and the world.