New York, NY (2/16/2021) – Data & Society is delighted to welcome Dr. Charlton McIlwain to our Board of Directors.

Dr. Charlton McIlwain is a long-time friend of Data & Society, having served as an Advisor to the organization since 2015. Dr. McIlwain will be joining the Board of Directors as Dr. Alondra Nelson rotates off to serve as the Deputy Director of Science and Society of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Dr. McIlwain is a preeminent scholar known both for his research as well as his thoughtful commitment to building networks of scholars across disciplinary boundaries who think deeply about media, critical race theory, and our algorithmic world.

Currently, Dr. McIlwain serves as Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement and Development and Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University, where he leads NYU’s Center for Faculty Advancement, oversees the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and acts as NYU’s Designee to the New America/Ford Foundation sponsored Public Interest Technology-University Network. His scholarly work focuses on the intersections of race, digital media, and racial justice activism. He is the founder of the Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies, Board Chairman for the Washington Center for Technology Policy and Inclusion, and the author of the new book, Black Software: The Internet & Racial Justice, From the AfroNet to Black Lives Matter, by Oxford University Press. He also co-authored the award-winning book, Race Appeal: How Political Candidates Invoke Race In U.S. Political Campaigns.

“I am excited to take on this new role, working with the dynamic leadership team that has made Data & Society a premier institution for engaging academic researchers, policymakers, technologists, and the public about the implications of technology in and for our ever-changing world,” says Dr. McIlwain. “I look forward to working more closely with an organization poised to continue and significantly extend its reach and impact.”

“I am beyond excited to welcome Charlton to our Board of Directors,” says Data & Society Founder and President danah boyd. “Since the earliest days of our organization, he has played a central role as a mentor, problem-solver, and guiding light. His wisdom and perspective will be extraordinarily valuable as we embark on strategic work about the next phase of the organization.”

“I look forward to working with Charlton to advance a research agenda that prioritizes frameworks of race and equity,” says Sareeta Amrute, Data & Society director of research. “Charlton is an exemplary scholar and leader and a fantastic mentor to researchers and practitioners of color. I am thrilled to welcome him to our work.”

“Dr. McIlwain is a tremendous addition to our board. He brings deep experience in leadership and governance in institutions, alongside his lifelong commitment to advancing rigorous scholarship in the topics that matter deeply to Data & Society,” says Janet Haven, executive director of Data & Society. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with Charlton in the coming years.”

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