Grace Akinyi Ochieng

Grace pursued her MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh, where her dissertation focused on making conversations about artificial intelligence more accessible to people without a technical background.

Grace wanted to show that AI is not just for experts, but something everyone can engage with.

After her studies, Grace worked on two projects at the University of Edinburgh. One looked at how AI can support doctors in deciding the best treatment for stroke patients. The other explored how we can check whether AI tools are not only effective, but also fair and easy to use.

Beyond academia, Grace founded a social innovation venture called Bio Line, under Adita Women Farmland in Kenya. Te organisation's work focuses on building sustainable food systems to help tackle malnutrition, turning local challenges into solutions that communities can lead and grow.

For Grace, this PhD is a natural next step, bringing together her interests in innovation, responsible technology, and social entrepreneurship with a deep commitment to participation, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Achievements

• Chosen as one of the top 1% out of 7,000 applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Edinburgh.
• Served as a UN Women UK Delegate, contributing to global advocacy on gender equality and women’s empowerment during the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women.
• Earned an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh.
• Led AI research projects on stroke care and auditing tools at Edinburgh.
• Founded a social enterprise in Kenya employing women and tackling malnutrition.

In my own words...

I am inspired by what the Datavysts network can achieve collectively: bringing together different disciplines, perspectives, and contexts to rethink how data and society interact. I look forward to learning from peers and mentors, building new skills, and contributing to a shared vision of data for the common good.