Guest Speaker: Brandeis Marshall, Professor of Computer Science, Computer and Information Sciences Department, Spelman College (currently on sabbatical leave) Chair: Desmond Upton Patton, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The Data Science Institute, Columbia University. Patton is also Associate Professor of Social Work; Associate Dean of Curriculum Innovation and Academic Affairs; and Courtesy Appointment in Department of Sociology, Columbia University School of Social Work. Waking up to Marginalization in Data Education Data education is increasingly becoming an integral part of many instructional structures, both informal and formal. Much of the attention has been on the application of AI principles and techniques. While AI is only one phase in the data ecosystem, we must embrace a fuller range of job roles that help manage AI algorithms and systems. Also, it’s important that we better understand the current state of the low participation and representation of minoritized groups that further stifles accessibility and inclusion efforts. In this talk, I’ll discuss the demographic disparities, bias creep and policy recommendations to curb and reduce this marginalization. Bio: Brandeis teaches, speaks and writes about the impact of data practices on technology and society. Her work contributes to the data engineering, data science, and data/computer science education fields. Through Dr. Marshall’s data education firm, she guides current tech workers building data equity skills. Her first book, Data Conscience: Algorithmic Siege on our Humanity, is expected to be released in mid-2022. It unearths the interlocking computational and civic implications of data on digital processes, structures and institutions. Dr. Marshall holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Rochester. She is on sabbatical leave from Spelman College, where she is a Full Professor of Computer Science.

This week Hugo speaks with Dr. Brandeis Marshall, about people of color and under-represented groups in data science. They’ll talk about the biggest barriers to entry for people of color, initiatives that currently exist and what we as a community can do to be as diverse and inclusive as possible. Brandeis is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Spelman College. Her interdisciplinary research lies in the areas of information retrieval, data science, and social media. Other research includes the BlackTwitter Project, which blends data analytics, social impact and race as a lens to understanding cultural sentiments. Brandeis is involved in a number of projects, workshops, and organizations that support data literacy and understanding, share best data practices and broaden participation in data science. Please subscribe to the podcast on Itunes and give us a rating and review! Itunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/51-inclusivity-and-data-science/id1336150688?i=1000429182229&mt=2 This is the DataCamp podcast link and check it out for the show notes and other goodies: https://www.datacamp.com/community/podcast/inclusivity-data-science?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_51

In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Brandeis Marshall about the consequences of data inequity, the balancing act of qualitative and quantitative mindsets, and the critical importance of humanizing data systems. Brandeis is the CEO of DataedX, a data science consultancy, among many other pursuits. She develops tools for practitioners to interpret the racial, gender, and socioeconomic impacts of data and technology. This video is part of the Summit: Pathways to a Just Digital Future listening tour, a partnership between Harvard Business School’s Digital Initiative and Gender Initiative. For more info, visit justdigital.hbs.edu, follow along on social with #JustDigitalFuture, or send us a note at justdigital@hbs.edu.