Sonja Bernhardt

Sonja BernhardtSonja Bernhardt is CEO of the award-winning software development firm ThoughtWare, Australia, and has been awarded three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Abstract Algebra and Psychology (1987), Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (1989), and MBA (Masters of Business Administration) (1992). For decades, she has tirelessly volunteered to passionately encourage women into technology studies and careers. This has included multiple industry-related activities such as executive committees and board membership over a period of 20 years, judging appointments in a wide variety of innovation and technology awards over a period of 15 years, and taking to the airwaves as resident “geek girl” on ABC Radio over a period of 7 years. In addition, she has been an occasional contributor and/or sponsor for government and university research and is a published author of book chapters and articles in industry magazines. Her prestigious honours are that she was the first Australian inducted into the WITI (Women in Technology International) Hall of Fame in 2005, winner of the Industry and Business Award in the Our Women, Our State Awards in 2009, and first Queensland woman to be awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Information Technology in 2011. She bases her life and all activities on a reality- and reason-based philosophy.

Publications

Blockchain Introduced
Blockchain Introduced
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 25 pages.
This chapter provides an introductory explanation of Blockchain technology and how it works, concentrating on its potential for social impact. It describes the history of the...
Donors and International Organisations
Donors and International Organisations
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 20 pages.
In this chapter the authors examine the response of the international development community to Blockchain and frontier technologies. It considers multilateral, bilateral...
Blockchain for Universal Health Coverage
Blockchain for Universal Health Coverage
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 15 pages.
In this chapter the authors provide an overview of where Blockchain is being used in high resource settings and explore its potential use in emerging health systems for universal...
Transforming Cities
Transforming Cities
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 13 pages.
Chapter 5 explores the use of distributed ledger technologies in cities to help improve citizen-centric services: land registries, health care, welfare payments, identity, supply...
Refugees and Humanitarian Settings
Refugees and Humanitarian Settings
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 16 pages.
Mass migration has become one of the 21st century's greatest challenges. With an estimated 214 million people on the move internationally and forced displacement at a record...
Blockchain, the Digital State, and the New World Order
Blockchain, the Digital State, and the New World Order
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 15 pages.
Governments across the world are grappling with the emergence and integration of new technologies. Front runner Estonia provides the model for how a country might completely...
Can Blockchain Really Help the Poor?: If So, Who Is Trying To?
Can Blockchain Really Help the Poor?: If So, Who Is Trying To?
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 29 pages.
It is the firm belief of the authors that Blockchain and other frontier technologies will be an important tool for social impact globally. It is now possible, with technology, to...
Emerging Markets: The Innovative First Movers
Emerging Markets: The Innovative First Movers
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2021. 13 pages.
While most of the development and implementation of Blockchains has taken place in Western countries, arguably its greatest potential resides in emerging markets: Argentina...
Blockchain Technology for Global Social Change
Blockchain Technology for Global Social Change
Jane Thomason, Sonja Bernhardt, Tia Kansara, Nichola Cooper. © 2019. 243 pages.
Emerging technologies continue to affect a variety of industries, making processes more effective and efficient. However, they also impact society by promoting opportunities to...
Women in IT in the New Social Era
Women in IT in the New Social Era
Sonja Bernhardt. © 2016. 2 hrs 47 mins.
Females have been historically underrepresented in the STEM fields. In order to attract, promote, and retain more women in technology studies and careers, we must think more...
Women in IT in the New Social Era: A Critical Evidence-Based Review of Gender Inequality and the Potential for Change
Women in IT in the New Social Era: A Critical Evidence-Based Review of Gender Inequality and the Potential for Change
Sonja Bernhardt. © 2014. 274 pages.
Research and statistics support the view that current programs are failing to keep women in the ICT field. Currently, there exist very few solutions to this growing problem....
Boards Need Women with IT
Boards Need Women with IT
Sonja Bernhardt. © 2006. 7 pages.
In comparison to research on gender diversity on boards, little research has been conducted on the diversity of board skills required for survival in our fast dynamic world...