Sonja is currently a first year PhD researcher under the supervision of Professor Jenny Gibson. Broadly, her research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), social robotics, and neurodivergent-inclusive education. Her interests also extend to psychology, ethics, and participatory design. She is funded by the Osk. Huttunen Foundation and the Finnish Science Academy’s Eino Jutikkala Fund, and serves as an Early Career Committee member at the Centre for Human-Inspired AI (CHIA) at the University of Cambridge.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Sonja worked as a Data Scientist at a global American technology company based in Silicon Valley, USA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree (with Honours) in Software Engineering and AI, both from Aalto University, Finland. She is also an active contributor to the Finnish startup ecosystem, where she has held several leadership roles.