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Thursday, November 7
In-Person Program | PST
In-Person Program | PST
Thursday, November 7
Virtual Program | PST
Virtual Program | PST
Friday, November 8
In-Person Program | PST
In-Person Program | PST
Friday, November 8
Virtual Program | PST
Virtual Program | PST
Thursday, November 7
In-Person Program | PST
In-Person Program | PST
7:30 am
Registration Opens/Breakfast
8:00 am–8:15 am
Welcome/Introductions
Speakers:
Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University
Michael Meth, Dean, University Library, San José State University
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
8:15 am–9:00 am
AI On Stage Game Show
Experts will ask a number of AIs a series of critical questions and see how they answer. The audience then picks their favorite AI followed by live exploration.
Speakers:
Trevor Basil, PhD, Postdoc AI Fellow, Tower Foundation, SJSU;
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, San José State University;
Ariana Lacson, President & CEO, Associated Students, San José State University;
Jahmal Williams, Director of DEI Partnerships and University-Community Liaison, SJSU
9:00 am–9:55 am
PIT-UN Regional Hub Meetings
Regional hub leaders will share lessons learned and best practices for PIT regional hub development. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of current hub leaders and meet with others in their region to discuss strategy and set goals for 2025 and beyond.
Hubs: PIT Northeast, Midwest, and Global
9:00 am–10:00 am
Peer Learning Workshops (Student Track)
Student leaders from the PIT-UN Tech For Change network will lead their peers in workshops covering a range of student engagement topics, such as best practices for fundraising, tech activism, and campus engagement.
Speakers:
Morayo Adeyemi, Howard University;
Jess Cummings, University of Michigan;
Fatima Hernandez, University of California, Santa Cruz;
Anjali Tandon, University of Michigan
10:00 am–10:45 am
Concurrent Sessions
Digital Counter-Storytelling
“Counter-storytelling” is a teaching method that amplifies marginalized perspectives to challenge dominant narratives about historically underserved communities. It allows students to link personal experiences and knowledge emanating from their communities with academic knowledge by capturing and sharing their stories through creative digital tools. Through collaborative processes with faculty, SJSU has integrated digital counter-storytelling as an authentic assessment device across ~250 faculty in 20 disciplines.
Speaker:
Jonathan Gomez, Associate Professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies, San José State University
How PIT Principles Can Shape the Future of Artificial Intelligence
Since 2022, we’ve witnessed a whirlwind of AI product launches, PR battles and prophecies about the power of this emerging technology. As organizations from all sectors grapple with how to utilize, build and regulate AI technologies, what principles should guide our decision making? How can values like equity, transparency and accountability be built into the policies and processes that will guide the development and deployment of AI? This conversation between leading ethicists, computer scientists and policy researchers will explore the underlying frameworks that guide our conversations around AI, and how we can maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of this emerging technology.
Speakers:
Étienne Brown, Associate Professor of Philosophy, San José State University (moderator);
Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways & Public Interest Technology, New York University;
Priya Kannan, Dean, Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, SJSU
Designing Organizations for Inclusive Technologies
This panel explores the crucial link between organizational design and inclusive technology. Experts will discuss how intentional design through the lens of technology can foster a culture of belonging, leading to more equitable and impactful outcomes. The panelists will discuss actionable insights that can be applied to foster inclusivity.
Speakers:
Raymar Hampshire,Product Lead, Sociotechnical and Inclusive Learning (Braid), University of Michigan;
Darra Hofman, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, School of Information, San José State University;
Leslie Kennedy, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Technology Services, The California State University;
Dan Nathan-Roberts, Ph.D., Associate Professor, San José State University (moderator)
The Power of Data in Social Justice: Insights and Careers in Public Interest Technology (STUDENT TRACK)
In this workshop, students will hear from two Data Scientists at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about their journeys to public interest technology work, their day-to-day work on issues at the intersection of civil rights and technology, and the important role of robust data analytics within non-profit organizations. Through a discussion, Q&A, and case study, the session will give participants a greater understanding of the many pathways for getting into the public interest technology field and some of the important (but often under discussed) aspects of working as a public interest technologist.
Speakers:
Marissa Gerchick, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU;
Tobi Jegede, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU
10:45 am–11:10 am
Networking Break
11:10 am–11:55 am
Concurrent Sessions
PIT Competencies vs. Competent in PIT
How do you make a distinction between academic PIT competencies and, qualifying someone as competent to do PIT work? Panelists will discuss the creation of a PIT Framework used with the classroom vs outside in the working world. Additionally, the discussion will touch on PIT competencies vs. PIT justice themes, how to give students experiential learning experiences within the framework of an external opportunity, and what happens when students go “Rogue” in reconciling courses, movements, justice, and jobs.
Speakers:
Lauri Goldkind, Professor of Social Work, Fordham University (moderator);
Erhardt Graeff, Associate Professor of Social and Computer Science, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering;
Sowmya Kannan, Director, Academic Initiatives and Workforce Development, IBM;
Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San José;
Meghna Virick, Associate Dean, Lucas College of Business
PIT in Climate Action
As a fundamentally interdisciplinary field, public interest technology offers powerful methods for tackling the complex, multifaceted challenges presented by climate change. Rather than providing tech-driven quick fixes, PIT places community needs at the center of our processes for developing and deploying technologies to help us deal with ongoing climate crises. This discussion with climate scientists, engineers, political leaders and policy analysts will explore how we can respond to natural disasters, climate migration and other pressing challenges using technology as a tool, not the solution itself.
Speakers:
Senator Dave Cortese, CA State Senator, District 15;
Gordon Douglas, Associate Professor, Urban Regional Planning, SJSU Institute for Metropolitan Studies;
Lisa Frazier, Senior Researcher, OSU Battelle Center for Science, Engineering and Public Policy;
Jasmine McNealy, Fellow New America Public Interest Technology Program (moderator)
11:10 am–12:00 pm
Reimagining the Future of Civic-Tech Workshop (Student Track)
Students are invited to receive a crash course on the power and agency that can be found and cultivated through civic participation within their local government ecosystem—city councils, local boards & commissions, school boards, water districts, etc. The session will examine the role technology can play in strengthening and protecting our democracy, followed by an interactive design-thinking group exercise—because democracy is always a team sport.
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how lawmaking truly works in our democracy, how to integrate a culture of civic participation into their daily lives, gain insights into the current challenges of civic engagement, and the technology gaps that are most needed today for a thriving democracy.
Speakers:
Ellina Yin, Founder & CEO, Only in San José;
Masheika Allgood, Founder/CEO, AllAI Consulting, LLC
12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Lunch
Fireside Chat: PIT Global Hub Expansion
Speakers:
Lucía Tróchez Ardila, Senior Consultant, PIT Policy Lab;
Marina Feferbaum, Associate Professor, FGV São Paulo Law School;
Elise St. John, Regional Hub Strategist, PIT-UN
1:00 pm–1:55 pm
Keynote Address: Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America
Fireside Chat: PIT & Democracy
We’ve seen many gains within the PIT space since PIT-UN began, from new research centers and degree pathways, to early career fellowships and federal funding opportunities, to the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the first Executive Order on AI.
Considering PIT’s deep ties to public interest lawyering and civil rights movements – and this year’s 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – how can universities and civil society organizations collaborate with the government to protect our rights in an age of rapid technological innovation?
Speakers:
Deirdre Mulligan, Professor, School of Information at UC Berkeley;
Margaret Hu, Director of the Digital Democracy Lab, William & Mary Law School;
Melinda Jackson, Dean, Undergraduate Education, San José State University (moderator)
2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Art Building Exhibitions and Civic Sandbox: AI Design Thinking for Civic Good
Visit the art building for student & faculty exhibits featuring works that address themes, such as technology for social good (among many others!).
Civic Sandbox: AI Design Thinking for Civic Good by Basil Saleh, an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Civic Design and Emerging Media (Starting at 2:15 pm)
What does environmental restoration, economic inclusion, or ending homelessness look like practically, at a neighborhood level?
Civic Sandbox is a platform that enables every community to answer these questions and many more. Civic Sandbox’s collaborative, A.I.-assisted design tools challenge users to define the future they seek, and empowers them to give concrete form to the infrastructure needed to address the issues they face within a 3D virtual twin of their city. Civic Sandbox networks the collective storytelling and transformative visioning of its users to reveal a “New Deal for the 21st Century.”
2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Tech Petting Zoo (Student Track)
An immersive experience with cutting-edge technologies, allowing participants to explore different devices, applications, and interactive scenarios. Activation stations, including Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3, Hololens, Web-Based VR, and Holograms, will feature guided activities and hands-on exploration.
3:15 pm–3:50 pm
Lightning Talks
Quick-round focused talks on the “three P’s” of PIT workforce development: people, policy and products. Practitioners will share how they have advanced PIT workforce development in data science, public health, AI policy, voting administration and more in collaboration with high schools, public health programs, election officials and policymakers.
Speakers:
Leah Alexander, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health School of Global Health, Meharry Medical College;
Kelsey Badger, Research Data Librarian, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University Libraries;
Marina Feferbaum, Associate Professor, FGV São Paulo Law School;
Emily York, Associate Professor, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University
3:50 pm–4:05 pm
4:05 pm–4:55 pm
Supporting Ethical Frameworks & Practices in AI Development
Industry, policy and foundation leaders will discuss how to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that benefits society while minimizing harm.
Speakers:
Stacy Martinet, VP, Marketing Strategy & Communications, Adobe;
Tony Mestres, CEO, The Sobrato Organization (TSO);
Peter Leroe-Muñoz, General Counsel and SVP of Tech Policy, Silicon Valley Leadership Group;
Ron Smith, Vice President of Philanthropy , Salesforce;
Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University (moderator)
4:55 pm–5:10 pm
Closing Remarks
5:30 pm–7:30 pm
Come One, Come All Reception
The Farmers Union, 151 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Thursday, November 7
Virtual Program | PST
Virtual Program | PST
12:30 pm–1:00 pm
Welcome and Live from the Studio
PIT-UN Director Andreen Soley and SJSU President Cynthia Teniete-Matson set the stage for the 2024 Summit; Live! Hosts Renée Cummings and Kip Dooley preview the Summit agenda.
Speakers:
Renée Cummings, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Data Science, The University of Virginia;
Kip Dooley, PIT-UN Communications Manager;
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University;
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
1:00 pm–1:55 pm
Keynote Address: Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America
Fireside Chat: PIT and Democracy
We’ve seen many gains within the PIT space since PIT-UN began, from new research centers and degree pathways, to early career fellowships and federal funding opportunities, to the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the first Executive Order on AI.
Considering PIT’s deep ties to public interest lawyering and civil rights movements – and this year’s 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – how can universities and civil society organizations collaborate with the government to protect our rights in an age of rapid technological innovation?
Speakers:
Deirdre Mulligan, Professor, School of Information at UC Berkeley;
Margaret Hu, Director of the Digital Democracy Lab, William & Mary Law Schooltate University;
Melinda Jackson, Dean, Undergraduate Education, San José State University (moderator)
2:00 pm-2:50 pm
PIT in Climate Action
As a fundamentally interdisciplinary field, public interest technology offers powerful methods for tackling the complex, multifaceted challenges presented by climate change. Rather than providing tech-driven quick fixes, PIT places community needs at the center of our processes for developing and deploying technologies to help us deal with ongoing climate crises. This discussion with climate scientists, engineers, political leaders and policy analysts will explore how we can respond to natural disasters, climate migration and other pressing challenges using technology as a tool, not the solution itself.
Speakers:
Senator Dave Cortese, CA State Senator, District 15;
Gordon Douglas, Associate Professor, Urban Regional Planning, SJSU Institute for Metropolitan Studies;
Lisa Frazier, Senior Researcher, OSU Battelle Center for Science, Engineering and Public Policy;
Jasmine McNealy, Fellow New America Public Interest Technology Program (moderator)
3:15 pm–3:50 pm
Lightning Talks
Quick-round focused talks on the “three P’s” of PIT workforce development: people, policy and products. Practitioners will share how they have advanced PIT workforce development in data science, public health, AI policy, voting administration and more in collaboration with high schools, public health programs, election officials and policymakers.
Speakers:
Leah Alexander, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health School of Global Health, Meharry Medical College;
Kelsey Badger, Research Data Librarian, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University Libraries;
Marina Feferbaum, Associate Professor, FGV São Paulo Law School;
Emily York, Associate Professor, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University
3:50 pm–4:05 pm
4:05 pm–4:55 pm
Supporting Ethical Frameworks & Practices in AI Development
Industry, policy and foundation leaders will discuss how to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that benefits society while minimizing harm.
Speakers:
Stacy Martinet, VP, Marketing Strategy & Communications, Adobe;
Tony Mestres, CEO, The Sobrato Organization (TSO);
Peter Leroe-Muñoz, General Counsel and SVP of Tech Policy, Silicon Valley Leadership Group;
Ron Smith, Vice President of Philanthropy, Salesforce;
Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University (moderator)
4:55 pm–5:10 pm
Closing Remarks
Friday, November 8
In-Person Program | PST
In-Person Program | PST
7:30 am
Registration Opens/Breakfast
8:00 am–8:15 am
Welcome/Introductions
Speakers:
Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University
Michael Meth, Dean, University Library, San José State University
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
8:15 am–9:00 am
Fireside Chat: Building Tomorrow’s PIT Workforce: Strategies for Preparation and Readiness
Conversations on building K16 infrastructure on workforce development, including exploring public/private, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
Speakers:
Albert Gehami, Privacy Officer, City of San José;
Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships, Northeastern University Oakland;
Liliana E. Castrellón, Assistant Professor; Co-Coordinator, HELM, Educational Leadership Department, San José State University
9:05 am–9:50 am
MSI/HSI/HBCU Collaborations and PIT
By highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of MSI researchers, this session aims to break down barriers and accelerate university partnerships that advance knowledge and promote equitable outcomes.
Speakers:
Magdalena L. Barrera, Vice Provost for Faculty Success, Office of the Provost Professor, Chicana and Chicano Studies, San José State University;
David T. Lee, Assistant Professor of Computational Media, UC Santa Cruz;
Misan Rewane, Executive Director, Stanford Impact Labs (moderator);
Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor, Howard University
10:00 am–10:45 am
Concurrent Sessions
Smart Cities: Smart for Whom?
As cities become increasingly reliant on data and technology, this panel examines the ethical implications of smart city initiatives. Experts discuss strategies to balance innovation with the protection of individual privacy, ensuring that smart city technologies are deployed responsibly and equitably.
Speakers:
Ahmed Banafa, IDE Faculty & Advisor, Davidson College of Engineering, San José State University;
Brian Hofer, Chair, City of Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission;
Jonathan Reichental, PhD, University of San Francisco;
Anne Marie Todd, Dean of the College of Social Sciences, San José State University (moderator)
PIT+Law
In today’s digital world, law and technology are increasingly intertwined in ways that both threaten and uphold our safety, dignity and civil rights. As law enforcement deploys emerging technologies like facial recognition, and lawmakers grapple with how to regulate AI, public interest technologists and lawyers identify civil rights concerns, advocate for people harmed by emerging technologies, and develop new tools to facilitate equitable access to justice. In this conversation, leaders from federal advocacy, legal nonprofits and law schools will share field-building lessons from PIT + Law, and explore ways to build, utilize and enforce legal systems and tools that uphold rights and dignity for all communities in an increasingly technological world.
Speakers:
Laura Bingham, Executive Director Institute for Law, Innovation & Technology (iLIT), Temple University, Beasley School of Law;
Eduardo Gonzalez, Program Officer, Civil Justice at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences;
Miguel Willis, Innovator in Residence, Penn Carey Law (moderator)
Betwixt and Between: Public Healthcare Delivery in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
PIT dilemmas surrounding the delivery of a fundamental human right of healthcare to individuals least able to pay in the rapidly expanding domain of AI. A panel of clinicians and healthcare administrators serving populations whose care is primarily paid by public programs. The panel will respond to a series of questions on gap between the promise of AI enabled care and the everyday needs of people whose care is covered by public programs.
Speaker:
Dolores Alvarado, CEO, Community Health Partnership;
Erik Cardenas, Co-Founder and CEO, Zócalo Health
Joe Grzywacz, Associate Dean of Research, SJSU College of Health and Human Sciences (co-moderator);
Liz McCraven, Chief Medical Officer, Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley;
Ria Paul, Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Audrey M. Shillington, Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, San José State University
Stanley Ng, Primary Care Physician, University Medical Group, part of the Stanford Community Foundation;
Lawrence Quill, Professor of Political Theory, San José State University
11:30 am–1:00 pm Networking Lunch
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Lightning Talk: A Quick Primer on Silicon Valley
Speaker: Russell Hancock, President & CEO, Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Keynote Panel: Public Interest Technology Business Models
A conversation about the challenges, and possible solutions, to financially sustainable business models that support the responsible stewardship of technology products, people and the planet. What role might Silicon Valley play as a thought leader on the development and implementation of innovative solutions for responsible technology business models?
Speakers:
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, San José State University;
Lili Gangas, Chief Technology Community Officer, Kapor Foundation (moderator);
Yaad Oren, Managing Director, SAP Labs U.S. & Global Head of SAP BTP Innovation;
Sylvester Johnson, CEO/Co-Founder, Corporation for Public Interest Technology
2:00 pm–2:55 pm
Fireside Chat: Investing in the Future of Public Interest Technology
In just five years, PIT-UN has brought vital energy and attention to the ways technology is taught, developed, deployed and governed across academia, industry, government and civil society. In our closing panel, three esteemed PIT leaders — one a key funder, one a university leader and one a scholar — discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for funders and universities as we look to solidify progress and further grow the field.
Speakers:
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University;
Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways & Public Interest Technology, New York University (moderator);
Safiya U. Noble, Professor and Author, University of California, Los Angeles;
Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation
3:00 pm–3:20 pm
Fireside Chat: PIT-UN, The Next Chapter
Speakers:
Katy Knight, President and Executive Director, Siegel Family Endowment;
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
3:20 pm–5:00 pm
Closing Remarks and Departures
Friday, November 8
Virtual Program | PST
Virtual Program | PST
8:00 am–8:15 am
Open and Introductions
Speakers:
Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University
Michael Meth, Dean, University Library, San José State University
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
8:15 am–9:00 am
Fireside Chat: Building Tomorrow’s PIT Workforce: Strategies for Preparation and Readiness
Conversations on building K16 infrastructure on workforce development, including exploring public/private, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
Speaker:
Albert Gehami, Privacy Officer, City of San José;
Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships, Northeastern University Oakland;
Liliana E. Castrellón, Assistant Professor; Co-Coordinator, HELM, Educational Leadership Department, San José State University
9:05 am–9:50 am
MSI/HSI/HBCU Collaborations and PIT
By highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of MSI researchers, this session aims to break down barriers and accelerate university partnerships that advance knowledge and promote equitable outcomes.
Speakers:
Magdalena L. Barrera, Vice Provost for Faculty Success, Office of the Provost Professor, Chicana and Chicano Studies, San José State University;
David T. Lee, Assistant Professor of Computational Media, UC Santa Cruz;
Misan Rewane, Executive Director, Stanford Impact Labs (moderator)
Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor, Howard University
10:00 am -10:50 am
Future Directions for PIT-UN
PIT-UN has accomplished a lot in its first five years, but we’re just getting started. Hear all about our new Regional Hubs strategy, the Tech for Change student network and get a sneak peek into the PIT-UN Summit Student Track with PIT
Speakers:
Colette Basiliere, Executive Director, PIT New England;
Nia Brazzell, PIT-UN Student Network Coordinator;
Lisa Frazier, PIT Midwest Hub Lead / The Ohio State University;
Marissa Gerchick, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU;
Tobi Jegede, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU;
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America;
Anjali Tandon, University of Michigan Tech for Social Good
11:00 am-12:00 pm
PIT & Public Service
The need has never been greater for technologists who want to work in government, civil rights, healthcare, education, and other public interest areas. Leaders in local and federal government, healthcare and law discuss the vital role of public interest technologists in shaping the future of their fields, and career pathways into PIT & public service.
Speakers:
Laura Maddux Bingham, Executive Director, Institute for Law, Innovation and Technology, Temple University;
Octavia Abell, CEO, Govern for America; Eduardo Gonzalez, Program Officer, American Academy of Arts & Science;
Joe Grzywacz, Associate Dean, San José State University;
Danica Harootian, Senior Manager, Federal Workforce, Partnership for Public Service;
Ria Paul, Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan
12:00 pm-12:30 pm
PIT Launches
Hear about new publications, products and programs from across the PIT ecosystem including an academic journal, the Corporation for Public Interest Technology, and a new PIT scholarship fund at Howard University.
Speakers:
Stephanie Chalk, Director, Global Talent Acquisition at NetApp;
Ann Cleaveland, Executive Director, Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity at UC Berkeley; Sylvester Johnson, CEO/Co-Founder, Corporation for Public Interest Technology;
Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor, Howard University
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Lightning Talk: A Quick Primer on Silicon Valley
Speaker: Russell Hancock, President & CEO, Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Keynote Panel: Public Interest Technology Business Models
A conversation about the challenges, and possible solutions, to financially sustainable business models that support the responsible stewardship of technology products, people and the planet. What role might Silicon Valley play as a thought leader on the development and implementation of innovative solutions for responsible technology business models?
Speakers:
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, San José State University;
Lili Gangas, Chief Technology Community Officer, Kapor Foundation (moderator);
Yaad Oren, Managing Director, SAP Labs U.S. & Global Head of SAP BTP Innovation;
Sylvester Johnson, CEO/Co-Founder, Corporation for Public Interest Technology
2:00 pm–2:55 pm
Fireside Chat: Investing in the Future of Public Interest Technology
In just five years, PIT-UN has brought vital energy and attention to the ways technology is taught, developed, deployed and governed across academia, industry, government and civil society. In our closing panel, three esteemed PIT leaders — one a key funder, one a university leader and one a scholar— discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for funders and universities as we look to solidify progress and further grow the field.
Speakers:
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University;
Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways & Public Interest Technology, New York University (moderator);
Safiya U. Noble, Professor and Author, University of California, Los Angeles;
Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation
3:00 pm–3:20 pm
Fireside Chat: PIT-UN, The Next Chapter
Speakers:
Katy Knight, President and Executive Director, Siegel Family Endowment;
Andreen Soley, Director, Public Interest Technology, New America
3:20 pm–3:30 pm
Closing Remarks
Speakers
The roster of speakers span from across Silicon Valley, the PIT-UN, and beyond, including representatives from the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Registration is Closed
The in-person program is by invitation.
The virtual program is open to the public.
Registration
The in-person program is by invitation. The virtual program is open to the public.
Day 1: Friday, Oct. 28
Held at the CUNY Graduate Center, Day 1 will bring together PIT-UN designees and grantees for a full day of thematic workshops centered on PIT-UN initiatives and goals, with the aim of strengthening the network by measuring impact and ensuring equity, sustainability and the growth of PIT across all member colleges and universities.
Additionally, the day will feature plenary sessions with a keynote speaker, a celebration of the year’s Network Challenge grantees, an event for press, and special events for PIT-UN presidents and provosts. An evening cocktail reception will follow.
CUNY Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue/34th Street & Fifth Avenue)
The UNConvening, Staten Island
Day 2: Saturday, Oct. 29
The Day 2 UNConvening is organized by the College of Staten Island St. George and hosted at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Staten Island.
Day 2 will apply public interest technology to cultivating solutions related to racial equity, climate justice, and food justice. Special opportunities will emerge for engagement around the restoration, recovery, and sustainability of vulnerable communities and landforms. Our event will be organized as an “unconference,” using organizing strategies related to Open Space Technology. The structure and guidance toward engagement in Day 2 will evolve in the time that leads up to the event.
Attendees will be invited to participate in immersive and interactive activities, including workshops, exhibits, demonstrations, and tours. Day 2 will highlight the work and perspectives of local students, scholars, artists and community activists.
Day 2 will engage local community partners and highlight PIT@CUNY as defined by a commitment to social justice, racial equity, and community empowerment. We will maintain antiracist principles at the heart of our event. With an aim to make the most of the cultural space, our hosts at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden will offer exclusive programming that showcases the venue’s beauty through various engagements where attendees can explore relationships between humans and nonhumans, technologies and natural environments, and academia, activism and art.
AGENDA
All times are EST
Friday, Oct. 28 | CUNY Graduate Center, Manhattan
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Check-In
Arrivals and Breakfast
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM |
Welcome Remarks & Introduction to the Day
Speakers
- Andreen Soley, Director of Public Interest Technology, New America
- Dr. Tamera Schneider, Associate Vice Chancellor and University Vice Provost of Research, CUNY
- Dr. Katie Cumiskey, Dr. Effie MacLachlan, and Dr. Lara Saguisag, Convening Organizers, CUNY
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
PIT-UN Thematic Working Groups
Discussion Leaders
- Francine Berman, UMass Amherst
- Michael Delli Carpini, UPenn
- Susan Graham, UC Berkeley
- Nigamanth Sridhar, Cleveland State
Discussion Leaders
- Tithi Chattopadhyay, Princeton
- Robert Krueger, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Yunus Telliel, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Ellen Zegura, Georgia Tech
Discussion Leaders
- Stephen Kleinschmit, University of Illinois Chicago
- Doreen Edwards, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Michael Pires, Ohio State
Discussion Leaders
- Anind Dey, University of Washington
- Erhardt Graeff, Olin College of Engineering
- Ashlyn Jaeger, Stanford University
- Sally Wallace, Georgia State
10:30 AM -12:15 PM |
What Is PIT-UN? Past, Present, Future
Discussion Leaders: Afua Bruce, New America, Katharine Lusk, Boston University, and Sylvester Johnson, Virginia Tech
The speakers will reflect on the changes, and the landscape of how PIT-UN moves forward, and direct the narrative about what PIT-UN is. We'll explore funder engagement, working groups, and big-picture dreams.
Ask questions during the event: https://bit.ly/WhatIsPITUNQA
Join the Live Stream
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Break
11:15 AM - 1:30 PM |
Student Poster Session
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM |
Regional Working Groups: Implementation Planning from Thematic Sessions
Discussion Leaders
- Francine Berman, UMass Amherst
- Michael Delli Carpini, UPenn
- Tithi Chattopadhyay, Princeton
- Robert Krueger, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Yunus Telliel, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Doreen Edwards, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Erhardt Graeff, Olin College of Engineering
Discussion Leaders
- Ellen Zegura, Georgia Tech
- Sally Wallace, Georgia State
Discussion Leaders
- Nigamanth Sridhar, Cleveland State
- Stephen Kleinschmit, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Michael Pires, Ohio State
Discussion Leaders
- Susan Graham, UC Berkeley
- Anind Dey, University of Washington
- Ashlyn Jaeger, Stanford University
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM |
PIT-UN Affinity Areas Workshops: Measuring Impact, Ensuring Equity, Prioritizing Sustainability & Growth
Discussion Leaders
- Robert Domanski, Director of Higher Education, NYC Government Tech Talent Pipeline
- Kendra Krueger, STEM Outreach and Education Manager, ASRC Illumination Space, CUNY
- Shawn Rhea, Director of Media Relations and Community Outreach for the Sciences, ASRC Illumination Space, CUNY
- Arber Ruci, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, New York NSF I-Corps Hub at CUNY
- Luke Waltzer, Director, Teaching and Learning Center and STEM
- Pedagogy Institute, CUNY Graduate Center
Discussion Leaders
- Ann Fiddler, Open Education Librarian, CUNY
- Kristin Hart, University Dean of Libraries and Information Resources, CUNY
- Susan Imberman, Computer Science, College of Staten Island
- Devorah Kletenik, Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College
- Andrew McKinney, Open Education Coordinator, CUNY
- Megan Wacha, Scholarly Communications Librarian, CUNY
Discussion Leaders
- Dylan Fox, Head of Community & Outreach, XR Access
- Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Psychology, College of Staten Island
- Sinead O’Brien, Postdoctoral Fellow, College of Staten Island
- Walei Sabry, Product Manager for Associate Accessibility, Walmart
- Kate Sonka, Executive Director, Teach Access
Discussion Leaders
- Ingrid LaFleur, curator, artist, afrofuture theorist, pleasure activist, and founder of The Afrofuture Strategies Institute (TASI)
- Dwana Franklin-Davis, CEO, Reboot Representation
- Anne L. Washington, Assistant Professor of Data Policy, NYU
Discussion Leaders
- Julian Brave NoiseCat, Artist and Keynote Speaker
- Noha Hazzazi, Computer Science, Howard University
- Mihir Kshirsagar, Tech Policy Clinic, Princeton University
Andrea Guifarro, PIT@CSI Student, College of Staten Island/CUNY BA
Students interested/involved in PIT at our member institutions are encouraged to join our student Discord for exclusive virtual access to this session.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Break
Join the Live Stream
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Keynote Speaker: Julian Brave NoiseCat (Live Stream)
Vice president of policy and strategy for Data for Progress and a fellow of the Type Media Center
Talk Title: “Red Herring”
In Sitka, Alaska, Indigenous peoples, and commercial fishermen are locked in a fight over one of the last remaining herring fisheries in the North Pacific. Herring are one of the most important fish in the ocean. They feed everything — salmon, whales, seals, sea otters, sea lions, seagulls, eagles — and humans, too. For the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and other coastal Indigenous nations, herring eggs are a delicacy exchanged and eaten at ceremonial feasts. For the fishing fleet, herring eggs are a valuable commodity sold for top dollar at Japanese markets.
Based on a chapter from his forthcoming book We Survived the Night, writer Julian Brave NoiseCat tells the story of Indigenous technologies, traditions, and movements shaping the future of an ecosystem.
Talk Title: “Red Herring”
In Sitka, Alaska, Indigenous peoples, and commercial fishermen are locked in a fight over one of the last remaining herring fisheries in the North Pacific. Herring are one of the most important fish in the ocean. They feed everything — salmon, whales, seals, sea otters, sea lions, seagulls, eagles — and humans, too. For the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and other coastal Indigenous nations, herring eggs are a delicacy exchanged and eaten at ceremonial feasts. For the fishing fleet, herring eggs are a valuable commodity sold for top dollar at Japanese markets.
Based on a chapter from his forthcoming book We Survived the Night, writer Julian Brave NoiseCat tells the story of Indigenous technologies, traditions, and movements shaping the future of an ecosystem.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
Public Interest Technology University Network Challenge Grantee Reveal
Andreen Soley, director of PIT, New America will be joined by PIT-UN designees to announce the 2022 grantees.
5:30 PM | Cocktail Reception
Saturday, Oct. 29 | Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Staten Island
All times are EST.
8:44 AM | Ferry Departure
Ferry Leaves from Manhattan (Pier 79) to Staten Island
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Check-In
Arrivals
10:00 AM - 10:25 AM |
Land Acknowledgement & Welcome
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Concurrent Group Sessions
Join the artist Tattfoo Tan on a reflective walk to the cemetery of historical Sailors’ Snug Harbor to experience how we can remain connected to our environments and histories in a tech-saturated world. Participants will walk silently to the location and share their reflections on the way back. Comfortable clothes and walking shoes are highly recommended. The 1.5-mile walk will be at an easy pace, but participants should expect some uneven paths and some slightly challenging terrain.
Discussion Leaders
- Dr. Dan McCloskey, professor, College of Staten Island, CUNY
- Efren Andaluz III, muralist/media artist
- Dontaé Hawkins, performer, director, producer, artist
- Gerald Bryson, co-founder, Sgt@Arms, Amazon Labor Union (ALU)
Join artists, scholars, and activists to discuss not just the future of work but also the future of the worker. How do we monetize labor in non-exploitive ways? Can NFTs and cryptocurrency empower artists to have more control over how their art is distributed? As workplaces become a hybridization of humans and machines, how do we organize for health and safety on the job?
Discussion Leaders
- Alexandra Shoneyin, visual storyteller, community spacemaker, founder of Forest Avenue COMEunity Fridge
- Bianca Carpio, member of Forest Avenue COMEunity Fridge
- Justin Baker, AmeriCorps alum, a community leader in sustainable agriculture
Using food justice as a focus, local activists from the Forest Avenue COMEunity Fridge will lead a discussion on how to best elevate localized community-driven mutual aid projects.
Discussion Leaders
- Laura Del Prete, a non-profit subject matter expert, Deputy Director, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NJ): NAMI NJ
Dr. Carlos Genatios, Director of Engineering, Technology, and Design, Miami Dade College
Dr. Rebecca Hardin, Associate Professor (with tenure) of Environment and Sustainability, and Faculty Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, or SEAS Dr. Julie Ju-Youn Kim AIA, Associate Professor (with tenure) and the Director/Founder of Flourishing Communities Collaborative, Georgia Tech
A civil engineer, an architect, a nonprofit subject matter expert, and a scholar in digital innovation for decolonized sustainability will lead a discussion around the sustainability of “homes” in times of great disasters. How can the impact of these disasters be reduced? How can we engage with efforts that expand equity for those who lack resources? In what ways can technology enhance adaptation to crises and assist in times of increased mobility and fragile/threatened infrastructure?
In this guided tour, we will explore the historical, architectural, and design innovations of the landmarked 19th century Main Hall building, which served as the main dormitory for the residents of Sailors’ Snug Harbor, while also recontextualizing these histories through the lens of contemporary art. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the current exhibitions, Kathy Westwater, “PARK Ephemera”; Julia Forrest, “Transcendence”; and Jaclyn Burke, Ify Chiejina, Jodi Dareal, Debbie Roxx, and Arrianna Santiago, “Here We Are: Young, Black, and Indigenous Women in the Art World.” During this tour, we will also consider the untold and/or underrepresented cultural stories that surface through interdisciplinary, curatorial practices that center care, collaboration, and community. This tour will be led by Melissa West, Vice President of Curation, Visual and Performing Arts, and Shawnakay Salmon, Arts Production and Gallery Manager.
THE UNConvening | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm on the South Meadow
Concurrent Food Truck Lunch, Performances on Main Stage, Exhibition Visits, and Interactive Workshops
Join the Live Stream Now
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | All Eyes on the Meadow Stage
We will gather on the South Meadow for the opening of the UNConvening that will include artistic performances on the stage. We also invite you to enjoy lunch from the food truck adjacent to the stage areas.
Opening Ceremony led by Segunda Quibamba
Listen to podcast: https://bit.ly/segundaquibamba
12:40 PM - 1:15 PM | Welcome
- emcee Brittany Ramos DeBarrios
- Roderick “Hotta Flames” Hurley, Reggae Artist & PIT@CSI Professor
1:00 PM - 2:45 PM | Exhibitions Open
Feel free to visit the exhibits that center on our themes of climate justice, racial justice, and food justice.
FEATURED EXHIBIT: Live Painting with Andaluz the Artist
Deejay Khalil spins, Speak Outs from Morning Sessions
Listen to podcast: https://bit.ly/Andaluz_iNTeLL
Efren Andaluz III, better known as Andaluz The Artist, was born on October 8, 1986 in Queens, NY. Growing up in the cultural melting pot of Richmond Hill Queens he was introduced to an array of beliefs, backgrounds and multi-cultured people. Being half Dominican and half Ecuadorian his latino upbringing focused on family and work ethic. A major part of
growing up in the boom bap borough of Queens was the influence of Hip-Hop culture. This love for Hip-Hop was heightened by the fact that Efren grew fond of the graffiti tagged walls in his neighborhood. Graffiti, one of the four elements of Hip-Hop, would play a major part in his future art style. Andaluz The Artist has created murals and art pieces honoring many figures, heroes and cultural icons. He will create an original piece during our event to capture the themes of our work together and to help us set an agenda for the future.
PIT@CSI Student, Samantha Wilkinson has created an immersive art piece called “The Black Box” to represent the mystery of artificial intelligence. Participants will view a co-creative process that attempts to reveal the unseen in machine learning and the production of collective knowledges that embody the unknown and unexplainable, something that is familiar to artists and the artistic process. These pieces represent the themes of the UNConvening and be enhanced or changed by all those that interact with the objects and space.
Visit the lobby of Building P to explore exciting PIT@CSI student-led exhibits related to the themes of our gathering. Explore local projects related to community food justice. Engage with an opportunity to take a comprehensive risk index to contemplate your risk related to disaster threats (in partnership with Miami Dade College). Discover a unique student project related to the discovery of African Burial Grounds and the use of QR codes to support youth engagement in public history.
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM | DJ Performances
- Deejay Khalil spins, Speak Outs from Morning Sessions
- DJ set from PIT@CSI student and recording artist, Joseph Badejo | Listen to podcast: https://bit.ly/joeybadejo
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
Concurrent Group Sessions and Tours
- Satsang with Tattfoo Tan: Technology of the Soul (Dance Studio, Building G): As Thoreau put it, “Technology is an improved means to an unimproved end.” This activity explores the relationship between technology and the inward self. Participants will sit together and dive into the philosophy of nonduality and get to know the Self. Comfortable clothing is highly recommended. Participants should expect to remove their shoes and sit on the floor. For an introduction to this activity, we encourage you to listen to this episode on Radio Free Brooklyn featuring Tattfoo Tan.
- #African Burial Grounds Matter and the Importance of Black Media (Building P Lobby and Winter Garden)
Discussion Leads
*Dana Amihere, AfroLA Founder/Executive Director
*Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston, Founder & President EquanomicsGlobal, Co-founder @AfricanGravesMatter
*Debbie-Ann Paige, Public Historian, Doctoral Student – EdD in Community-Based Leadership, CSI/CUNY, creator/developer – Staten Island African American Heritage Tour App
*Yamilet Vasquez, PIT@CSI student, CUNY Research Scholar
*Deondre Williams, Graduate Student – Masters in Mental Health Counseling, CSI/CUNY, Lab Coordinator – CUNY PIT Lab
Please join local activists, media scholars, and students as they lead discussions on the significance of remembering and how technology can be used to activate historical memories and imaginations. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of Black media as a vehicle for engaging the next generation of oral historians and content creators.
- NYC Compost Project: Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Snug Harbor for a tour to learn how compost is made across New York City and how organic waste can be turned into an environmental resource.
- Heritage Farm: Learn about urban farming and its challenges at one of New York City’s largest in-soil farms. We’ll discuss the issues associated with sustainable agriculture, the importance of equitable food access, and different farming techniques that have positive ecological impact.
- New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden: Experience the first authentic scholar’s garden built in the United States. Based on the classical Ming Dynasty period, it presents the four essential elements of the traditional garden: rocks, water, plants, and architecture.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Closing Celebration (Live Stream)
iNTeLL: Born and raised on Staten Island, the eldest son of U-God, from the Wu-Tang Clan, had an upbringing that was far from normal. iNTeLL, of 2nd Generation Wu, is an international artist who has traveled to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and elsewhere, touring and spreading the message of raw hip-hop and keen lyricism. With an educational background in filmography and a love for songwriting and production, this student of the art stays broadening his spectrum as a self-sufficient enterprise for hip-hop and entertainment.
2nd Generation Wu carries on their parents’ legacy. iNTeLL brings a classic approach with magnanimous rhyme schemes and poignant delivery, weaving you into the curves of each word of his sound. He is a true entertainer spewing passion with every move and is an act you definitely won’t want to miss.
Moondance is a meditation that travels the cosmic realms in order to achieve deep relaxation. Inspired by the Black oystermen of Sandy Ground, within the meditation the oyster becomes a portal into the divine feminine illuminating the cyclical nature of life. For the duration of the meditation you will be invited to sit, or lay down, whichever is the most comfortable position, so please bring items that will help you relax.
Ingrid LaFleur has enlisted artist Jasmine Murrell to embellish her costume and the Brooklyn-based dance company Renegade Performance Group will be accompanying LaFleur during her meditation.
Jasmine Murrell is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary visual artist who employs different mediums to create sculptures, installations, photography, performance, land art, and films that blur the line between history and mythology. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the African-American Museum of Art, and the International Museum of Photography. Murrell has been a resident artist at the Bronx Museum AIM fellowship program, Baxter St. Gallery workspace, BRIClab contemporary art residency, and Block Gallery workspace. Her work has been included in the book MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, and in The New York Times, Ebony, Time, Hyperallergic, and several other publications.
Renegade Performance Group (RPG) is a Brooklyn-based dance company founded in 2007 by artistic director André M. Zachery. RPG creates innovative artistic projects grounded in Black and African Diaspora aesthetics and expressions through theatrical, immersive and site-specific performance as well as film, multimedia and technology. Under RPG, André collaborates with artists of all genres on projects that stretch performance presentation to engage a new generation of audiences through performance, media, and culture. For this collaboration with Ingrid LaFleur, RPG will perform an excerpt of a work-in-progress entitled Respiration.
