CAHSS Kicks Off STEAM Lecture Series with ‘Coded Bias’ Panel

EAST GREENSBORO – (April 9, 2021) The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will virtually host acclaimed documentary filmmaker Shalini Kantayya on Tuesday, April 13, as she discusses her thought-provoking film, “Coded Bias,” released on Netflix.

Kantayya will hold a virtual masterclass with N.C. A&T students in the afternoon, followed by aa panel discussion about the making of the documentary at 6:30 p.m. that is open to the public. The panel discussion will be moderated by actress Angela Ray. Click on this link to register for the panel discussion.

A watch page has been set up for those who would like to view the film before the panel discussion. Click on this link to watch the film and use passcode NCATVIEW to access. The documentary investigates the bias in algorithms after M.I.T. Media Lab researcher Joy Buolamwini uncovered flaws in facial recognition technology.

The event marks the beginning of CAHSS's STEAM Lecture Series, which highlights topics that integrate arts, humanities and social sciences with STEM.

“In today's social climate, it’s important that we encourage dialogue and embrace ideas that help us understand the dichotomy of perspectives driving our behaviors and our thoughts,” said Frances Ward-Johnson, Ph.D., dean of the CAHSS. “Ms. Kantayya’s groundbreaking film will certainly set a framework for us to learn about cultural biases that impact how we are perceived, accepted and integrated into different environments. We look forward to a powerful discussion as the kickoff to our STEAM Lecture Series.”

The STEAM Lecture Series will be an annual program, made possible by a grant from Apple.