This week we’re celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 coming up on 8 March by showcasing outstanding individuals who are helping to shape Australia’s geospatial sector.

In this interview we speak with Emily Tidey, Senior Lecturer at Te Kura Kairūri | the School of Surveying at Ōtāko Whakaihu Waka | the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Please tell us about your current role and responsibilities.

I teach hydrographic surveying and land surveying methods to undergraduate students taking our Bachelor of Surveying and Bachelor of Science in Survey Measurement degrees. I also undertake research in hydrography, looking at the integration of hydrographic data with other users, as well as the use of specialist measurement systems such as low-cost GNSS and multi-frequency multibeam systems.

Prior to working at the University, I was an offshore hydrographic surveyor involved in all sorts of mapping, positioning and engineering projects on various boats around the world.

How did you get into this field, and what attracted you to it?

I grew up near the sea and in a family that sailed the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand as much as possible. My interest in the sea and navigation led me to consider avenues such as joining the Navy or studying teaching or engineering. And at high school I was interested in geography, graphics (technical drawing), engineering, maths, physics and English.

Then I found out about surveying and decided that the mixture of practical work, mathematics and mapping was just right for me. I graduated from the University of Otago and worked as an offshore hydrographic surveyor for Fugro based out of New Plymouth in New Zealand, but luckily I got to work for Fugro operating companies all over the world including in Australia, the USA, Germany and Brazil.

After working on boats offshore for several years I went to the University of Plymouth in the UK to study on their internationally recognised (ICA/IHO/FIG) Cat A Masters course, and from there came back to New Zealand and joined the academic staff at Otago.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love being at sea! As a hydrographer I enjoy the challenge of getting all the equipment to work together, exploring and making maps of areas that sometimes have never been seen before, the travel, and working with the variety of people you find offshore. (And the sunrises!)

As a lecturer I enjoy introducing students to this exciting career path and sharing my enthusiasm. It is fantastic to help young people learn new skills and to see them develop professionally during their time with us at university. I love hearing about their careers and catching up with them in later years too.

Are there any personal qualities or attributes that are helpful to have in this field?

The ability to be flexible with changes to ‘the plan’ have served me well. Whether you are working on a vessel affected by weather or mechanical difficulties, or with students or cantankerous software, it’s helpful to be able to step back and adapt with a new plan. Additionally, I think being open and always learning is important, as is being a team player. If you’re on a boat for weeks on end you need to be part of a team with a can-do attitude.

What makes you most proud about your role and achievements?

At university I am one of very few female lecturers in surveying (and was the first one at Te Kura Kairūri | the School of Surveying when I joined). I am proud to be able to show the small percentage of female students that there are places for them. I am also the sole lecturer for hydrography, and love to hear about the achievements of my students and where they have worked and travelled since I taught them. I work closely with researchers in marine science and geology and I’m always keen to bring rigorous surveying methods into the research that we do.

Have you had any struggles during your career? Conversely, have you had support?

Several times I have found that my male colleagues are spoken to or approached by clients or others before me, despite me being more senior or the party chief/surveyor in charge on a project. In these cases I’ve found it’s important to introduce myself and my role as soon as possible. It is also very noticeable to me that my ideas are often repeated or taken on by male colleagues who then are given recognition for this. I try my best to point this out respectfully, and to support other female colleagues when I see this happen to them.

At times it has been hard to juggle parenting and work; I am lucky to be very well supported by my awesome husband and to be able to work slightly less than full-time in my current position.

Recently, I was supported by the IHO Empowering Women in Hydrography initiative to attend an intersessional meeting of the IBSC, an international board that certifies hydrographic surveying and nautical cartography courses. It was a fantastic opportunity to see how this group runs and be part of working on the results of a survey they have recently undertaken, as well as to meet fellow women in hydrography from Peru, Chile and the USA.

We need more women in the geospatial sector. Do you have any ideas?

“If you can see it, you can be it.” We need to keep working to showcase amazing women who are out there doing all sorts of awesome surveying and spatial jobs. And not just in a painfully obvious and staged occasional photoshoot.

I think the whole geospatial sector needs to work much more closely with schools, teachers and the community — how come people know what a civil engineer or architect does, but not a surveyor or spatial professional?

What would you say to young women who are considering a career in geospatial?

Practically, consider approaching companies and training institutions near where you live; most are very happy to show you around and give you a taste of what they do. But really, go for it! There are so many opportunities, you can sculpt your career in so many ways as the opportunities are endless.