Funding Opportunity - BE Fellowship for Anti-Racism Research

Overview

The Baskin School of Engineering is committed to advancing anti-racism in all that we do. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture provides valuable resources and perspectives on anti-racism at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels.

 

The Scholarship for Anti-Racism Research program was created to advance anti-racism research by supporting graduate student research at the intersection of engineering and social justice. Two awardees will each receive $6000 to support their work on an original project of their choice. Summaries of past research can be found here and additional example topics are provided at the end of this document. For additional questions, please contact Marcella Gomez (mgomez26@ucsc.edu), Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Eligibility and application instructions: 

Preference will be given to graduate students enrolled in a Baskin Engineering graduate program.  

 

Please submit a brief description of your proposed topic (no more than 500 words) outlining your research topic along with a statement describing how your background and current commitments will allow you to carry out the work. Finally, please include the name and email address of your designated mentor from the UCSC community. A letter from your mentor may also be provided but is not required. Applications are due by email to Marcella Gomez (mgomez26@ucsc.edu), Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by May 15, 2023.  Selections will be made by June 1st and deliverables include a written report summarizing results. The project period within the academic year is flexible.

 

Example topics might include the following:

 

  • An investigation of racism and/or bias inherent in some form of technology or one that explores tools to fight racism and bias through technology. 

  • What algorithms are currently being used to uncover racial bias in the massive data sets used in machine learning? What companies and organizations are leading the way in these efforts and/or what kind of policy exists or should exist to expand the use of such algorithms?

  • Certain technologies use sensors to determine the proximity of a human being (e.g., automatic faucets in public restrooms), and in some cases that technology works better for fair skin than it does for darker skin. How can those technologies be improved to be able to sense all human skin, not just certain skin tones?

  • What efforts can game developers make to avoid propagating racist stereotypes in their games, and even help promote anti-racist themes?

  • The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 protects Americans from discrimination based on their genetic information in both health insurance (Title I) and employment (Title II). Are there ways in which GINA should be expanded to protect individuals from being the target of racist actions or systems?