Black Research Network (BRN) Launch – October 8, 2021

Session Description

The Black Research Network (BRN) represents an interdisciplinary network of Black scholars who champion Black excellence and cultivate connections to enhance its research capacity within the university and across the globe.

On Friday October 8, the BRN will host a launch event, Mapping The Network. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about their programs, supports and upcoming initiatives. The launch event will also feature an engaging talk on the theme of Black technoscience, a message from University of Toronto President Meric Gertler, university leaders and the BRN steering committee.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Ruha Benjamin, associate professor, African American Studies, Princeton University, who lectures around the intersection of race, justice and technology
• Dr. Timnit Gebru, co-founder Black in AI and former co-lead of the Ethical AI Research Team at Google
• Beth Coleman, director, Black Research Network and associate professor, Data & Cities, Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology and Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
• Christine Allen, vice-provost and associate vice-president, Strategic Initiatives, University of Toronto
• Dextor Voisin, dean, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and co-chair of the U of T Anti-Black Racism Task Force
• Jamie Stafford, provostial advisor on Data Sciences, and vice dean academic operations, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Justin Nodwell, vice dean research & graduate education, Temerty-Faculty of Medicine

More about the BRN

The BRN is an Institutional Strategic Initiative that represents University of Toronto Black-identified faculty, librarians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. Members will build strong connections with Black communities outside of the university, and hold space for non-Black colleagues committed to addressing anti-Black racism to achieve the goals of the network.

We look forward to seeing you!