How would you describe your work in 90 seconds?

I work with blockchain technologies, which is like being the civil engineers of the financial systems of the future. While traditional finance was built mostly on experience, heuristics, and intuition, with blockchains, we’re trying to design a financial system from the ground up in a principled and rigorous manner. The goal is to create systems that are accessible, transparent, privacy-preserving, secure, and efficient.

Blockchains are distributed databases that provide open access and can be used for a vast array of applications beyond finance. We aim to redesign how centralized web platforms work to create what we refer to as Web 3.0, which is a decentralized version of the Internet. Currently, big tech companies store and control user data, and websites are hosted on centralized servers. A blockchain, by contrast, is an openly accessible database that is maintained collectively by people around the world. In that sense, it’s similar to distributing computing power in a cloud - any functionality that normally exists in a centralized database can, in principle, be replicated in a decentralized one. The core idea is to enable the custody and control of money or data to return to the users themselves.

Blockchains have great potential, but the field is still developing. It’s a bit like the Internet in the 80s or 90s: we have the tools, but we don’t yet fully understand how to use or optimize them beyond financial applications. That’s why there is so much investment in both research and startups in this space. Historically, the finance and computer science communities have worked in isolation - one focusing on markets, the other on infrastructure - leaving a gap in understanding what users truly need and which applications are most valuable. But this is rapidly changing, as the technology matures and the two communities begin to converge.

Where do you see the connection between your work and everyday life?

Currently, we rely on big tech companies for much of our communication and data exchange, and on banks for payments and access to the financial system. This dependence comes at a cost: we trade away our privacy by granting these intermediaries access to our personal information. It also introduces inefficiencies, such as fees and delays, which arise not from technological limitations, but from the way current systems are managed.

My work focuses on building decentralized systems that remove these middlemen. The goal is to give people control over their own data, enable money to move instantly and cheaply, and allow access to digital services without relying on centralized authorities. Whether we will one day use open, decentralized platforms for everyday payments remains uncertain, but blockchain technologies already serve as a powerful tool for improving the backend of our financial systems, enabling faster and more secure settlement between institutions.

Beyond finance, blockchains also hold promise for governance and collective decision-making. They can support community-led processes such as voting, auditing, or managing shared resources, giving people a direct say in how the systems around them operate. In this sense, blockchains can be used to democratize processes and empower communities, making a tangible difference in everyday life.

How did you get in touch with computer science?

It was a rather unorthodox path for me. I first came into contact with computer science in high school, but I went on to study civil engineering at university. After graduating, I worked as a civil engineer for a while but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. At that point, I decided to make the leap and apply to a master’s program in Algorithms, Logic, and Computation in Greece, despite not having the typical background. I was very fortunate to have professors who believed in me and gave me a chance, helping me bridge the gap and grow into the field. Their support, along with the guidance of my PhD advisor at ETH Zurich, played a crucial role in my development as a researcher. Computer science had fascinated me since high school, but I never imagined how fulfilling it would be to work in this field, as I hadn’t considered it a possible career when I was younger. I still feel incredibly privileged to work on fundamental questions and contribute to research that can make a real impact on the world.

What makes you happy in your work?

Three things make me genuinely happy in my work. The first is problem-solving, which I see as the core of scientific progress - it’s driven by curiosity. The second is the impact of my work. Working in academia is deeply fulfilling because I feel that, through my research, I contribute to building a fairer and more inclusive future. When you work with blockchains, you inevitably engage with the world of finance, venture capital, and investors, whose values do not always align with the transparency and decentralized governance that blockchains could offer. At some point, you have to think about who is using the tools you create and for what purpose. It’s important to reflect on your own vision, and to accept that you won’t always have control over how your work is used.

Another aspect I truly value is mentoring. In fact, I think it’s the most rewarding part of working at a university. I love solving puzzles, but it’s far more meaningful to do so alongside people who share your vision. And it’s even better when you can watch your students grow and develop into excellent researchers and scientists - that feels truly amazing.

Why do you think there are still so few women in computer science?

I think this is a multifaceted problem that starts very early in life. From a young age, boys and girls are encouraged to develop different skills because they’re given different toys - boys often get things for building and experimenting, while girls are given toys that emphasize aesthetics and soft skills. This subtly shapes how children see themselves and what they believe they are good at. In school, these patterns are often reinforced. Even if not consciously, girls are encouraged toward “softer” professions, while technical fields are portrayed as more suitable for boys. This continues later in life. When I studied civil engineering, for example, some professors openly said that it wasn’t a profession for girls. It was shocking to hear, and experiences like that can be deeply discouraging. I think many women face similar moments that make them question whether they belong in technical fields.

Another important factor is the lack of visible role models. Representation matters: if you don’t see anyone who looks like you in a profession, it’s hard to imagine yourself in that role. There are also structural barriers, such as unconscious bias in hiring, and cultural norms within technical fields, where traits like confidence - often associated with male-coded behavior - tend to be rewarded over collaboration. All of these can make women feel like they don’t quite belong, even when they are highly capable. So, the challenge for me is not only to bring more women into computer science and technical disciplines, but also to change the culture so that women feel included, supported, and able to thrive.

Zeta Avarikioti is an Assistant Professor at the Research Unit Security and Privacy at TU Wien Informatics. Her current projects, Scalable, Private, and Interoperable Layer 2 (SCALE2) and Optimal Cross-Chain and Cross-Layer Protocols (CROSS), are funded by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund WWTF.

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