“As I reflect on my journey, the most important lesson I've learned along the way is that true leadership is not defined by titles or accolades, but by the ability to inspire others and effect positive change. As I look towards the future, I am committed to using my platform to empower others, to show them that no dream is too big and no obstacle is too great to overcome.” – Dr Avashna Govender.

On Thursday, 1 February 2024, Dr Avashna Govender was appointed as the Research Group Leader (RGL) of the Voice Computing Research Group (VCRG) within CSIR NextGen Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI).

Dr Govender’s journey with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) started 11 years ago when she was awarded a CSIR bursary in her first year of computer engineering. Despite facing financial challenges and many setbacks, her compassion for others coupled with her positive mindset paved the way for her to achieve all that she has accomplished to date.

During her master's studies, she introduced a new research avenue into the VCRG, focusing on child speech synthesis. Not only did she graduate cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she had her very first academic publication accepted at Interspeech - the world's largest speech conference. The development of artificial child voices not only provides children with speech disabilities an individualised identity but also has the potential to transform interactive learning through personalised learning experiences for children.

The pivotal moment in her academic journey arrived when she pursued a PhD at the University of Edinburgh's Center for Speech Technology Research, renowned for its excellence in computer science and artificial intelligence. Through sheer hard work and determination, she was awarded the prestigious Marie-Curie Sklowdowska Early Researcher Scholarship, supervised by Prof. Simon King, a respected academic figure in the speech technology community. Her PhD research focused on measuring cognitive load in text-to-speech systems, merging two fields of cognitive science and computer science. This interdisciplinary approach aimed to optimise text-to-speech models for reduced cognitive load through the use of pupillometry. (Did you know that your pupil size is the window to cognitive processing?)

Apart from her academic accolades, in 2021, Avashna battled Covid-19, which nearly claimed her life. Yet she emerged stronger and more resilient than ever, taking on the acting RGL position in 2022.

Her journey from adversity to leadership exemplifies the power of self-belief in one’s dreams, determination and resilience. It serves as a reminder that with perseverance and passion, anything is possible.

The undeniable impact Avashna and her team have made and continue to make in breaking down language barriers and empowering individuals across the country, epitomise the CSIR’s vision; being accelerators of socioeconomic prosperity in South Africa through leading innovation.