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The 2023 Convening at Boston University explored how PIT practitioners can partner across academia, government, civil society and the private sector. Topics include data privacy, equitable design, cybersecurity, AI governance, climate tech and more.
Programming
Day 1 | Thursday, October 12
Our two days of programming begins with welcome remarks from Boston University President Kenneth Freeman and PIT-UN Director Andreen Soley, followed by an Opening Keynote from Professor Jasmine McNealy (University of Florida).
10:00 am – 11:00 am ET
Public interest technology is interdisciplinary by nature and requires us to build partnerships across departments and campuses.
Learn how PIT has spurred partnerships within and across institutions that unlock new possibilities in the design, deployment, and governance of technology.
Moderator
- Professor Ngozi Okidegbe, Boston University Law & Computer Sciences
Speakers
- Professor Brooke Williams, PIT-UN Grantee, Boston University, the Justice Media co-Lab.
- Professor Elena Eneva, PIT-UN Grantee, the University of the South (Sewanee).
- Professor Lawrence Susskind, PIT-UN Designee, MIT; Co-Chair, Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics.
- Professor Laura Bingham, PIT UN Designee, Temple University. Director of the Institute for Law, Innovation, and Technology.
- Mya J Turner, Boston University Alumna and Netflix.
11:30 pm – 12:30 pm ET
PIT requires that we pay close attention to the impact of technology on human lives and communities, particularly to those most vulnerable and marginalized
Learn how PIT practitioners have established and grown collaborative partnerships with nonprofits and civil society organizations to foster individual and community rights, advance justice, and build resilience.
Moderator
- John Wilbanks, Fellow Faster Cures and ex-Head of Data Biogen Digital Heal.
Panelists
- Professor Amy Kristin Sanders, PIT-UN Grantee, University of Texas at Austin.
- Professor Nathan Williams, PIT-UN Grantee, Rochester Institute of Technology.
- Professor David Lee, PIT-UN Grantee, University of California at Santa Cruz.
- Professor Carlton E. Williams, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Movement Lawyering Clinic, Cornell University.
- Chris Lewis, President and CEO, Public Knowledge.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET
Public interest technology thrives on the cross-pollination of ideas and expertise from many domains.
During lunch on Day 1, learn how practitioners in K-12 education, game design, trust & safety, cybersecurity and higher education apply PIT frameworks to operationalize values of equity, accessibility and community in technology
- The Career Pipeline Starts Early: PIT in K-12 – Afua Bruce, ANB Advisors
- PIT in Entertainment, Media, & Culture – Gillian Smith, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Trust & Safety: Challenges and Opportunities in a Growing Field – Yoel Roth, former Head of Trust & Safety at Twitter
- Adapting Cybersecurity Training for the Deaf Community – Justin Pelletier, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Why a Regional Model Makes Sense for PIT – Professor Francine Berman, UMass at Amherst
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm ET
Public interest technology invites us to develop business models that put people first.
From new design tactics such as ethics and privacy by design, to more revolutionary open innovation and open business strategies, companies have a unique opportunity to support community well-being while also creating profitable and sustainable firms.
Moderator:
- Shanna Crumley, Director Impact Data Science at MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth
Panelists:
- Prof. Latanya Sweeney, Harvard University.
- Prof Carlos Genatios, PIT-UN Grantee, Miami Dade College.
- Alex Baldenko, Head of Data Science, MassMutual;
- Prof. Ann Cleaveland, University of California at Berkeley / Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics
- Ishmael Limkakeng, Senior Vice President, Cisco
DAY 1 Closing Remarks
5:00 pm ET
Ecy King (Stanford M.S. ’24) and Andrea Guifarro (City University of New York) will provide an update on the PIT-UN Student Programming.
PIT-UN Director Andreen Soley gives closing remarks.
Day 2 | Friday, October 13
9:30 – 10:15 am ET
In this conversation, we’ll hear from leaders across the field about how they have developed institutional support for PIT, how they’ve navigated political questions and relationships, and what steps members can take to build relationships and activate resources on their campuses.
Moderator: Hazem Mahmoud, Director of Data Solutions, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Panelists:
- Assoc. Provost Azer Bestravos, Boston University;
- Prof. David Guston, Arizona State University;
- Dr. Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships; National Science Foundation;
- Mina Hsiang, Administrator of the United States Digital Service.
10:30 am – 11:30 am ET
How can universities collaborate with elected officials, local and federal government agencies, and policymakers to ensure that our evermore technological society supports innovation, access to justice, quality employment opportunities, environmental protections, and the flourishing of people and communities?
Keynote:
- Deirdre Mulligan, Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Moderator:
- Michelle Amante, VP Federal Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service
Speakers:
- Professor Rebecca Hardin, PIT-UN Grantee, University of Michigan
- Professor Nicholas Zingale, PIT-UN Grantee, Cleveland State University
- Santiago “Santi” Garces, CIO, City of Boston
- Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America
- Ahoura Zandiatashbar, PIT-UN Grantee, San Jose State University
11:30 am – 12:30 pm ET
In this panel, funders from across the public interest technology ecosystem will discuss key learnings from their grantmaking journey so far, and what values and priorities should guide the next phases of philanthropic investment.
Moderator: Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
Speakers:
- Jenny Toomey, Director, Ford Foundation Catalyst Fund
- Ziyaad Bhorat, Responsible Computing Challenge Fellow, Mozilla Foundation
- Shanna Crumley, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
- Katy Knight Executive Director & President, Siegel Endowment.
1:00 pm ET
Joel Christian Gill, Chair of the Department of Visual Narrative at BU, will cap off our two days with a talk on the Power of Narrative.
PIT-UN Director Andreen Soley will then provide closing remarks and conclude the 2023 Convening with a special announcement.
