UC DATA Day, April 12, to focus on bias, miscommunication and equity in data

UC DATA Day, scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will explore the theme of bias, miscommunication and equity in data with online power sessions, panel discussions and a keynote address by Monica Stephens, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Geography at Durham University in Durham, England.

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More information about DATA Day, along with a link for registration, is available on the DATA Day website. UC DATA Day is free and open to all to attend.

Researchers producing and using data face similar but unique, challenges in data management, data sharing, reproducible research and preservation. Researchers have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that the data they produce and share is equitable as it impacts individuals and communities the world over. When data is collected and shared incorrectly, it can advance inequities, bias and even violence. Researchers must be aware of methods to mitigate these and how to generate data that is free of bias, is equitable and inclusive to avoid any miscommunication and/or ambiguity regarding their data. DATA Day 2022 highlights these challenges and showcases solutions and opportunities in which we can re-examine data through an equity lens.

Monica Stephens

Monica Stephens obtained her doctoral degree from the University of Arizona in 2012 and worked at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), as well as Humboldt State University (California). Her research mines social media to trace inequalities across gender, race, and economic status. Her book, “Misinformation in the Digital Age: An American Infodemic” is due out this year. In addition to academic articles, her work on social media has appeared in popular outlets including Wired Magazine, The New York Times, The Guardian, the Washington Post, and BBC World Service.