A new temporary exhibit at the Information Science Building uses technology to highlight the contributions of Black scholars to the field of computing and information.
“Black Voices in Computing” was developed by three faculty at the School of Computing and Information — Rosta Farzan, Dmitriy Babichenko, and Chelsea Gunn — with the support of a group of undergraduate students, including Drew Puszko, Liam Weixel, Lucy Elizabeth Reilly, Janet Majekodunmi, and Shailey Gulrajani.
“Black scholars have been making integral contributions to the field of Computing and Information since its onset,” an announcement about the exhibit reads. “Oftentimes, however, the stories of these trailblazers are overlooked. This exhibit seeks to recognize and uplift the achievements and stories of those scholars. Through a series of augmented reality checkpoints, which can be scanned and interacted with through a cell phone, viewers will come to understand how important the voices of Black members of the community are and have always been.”
The subjects represent a diverse range of careers in computing and information, from early NASA coders to entrepreneurs who are currently looking to create a space for underrepresented groups in technology.
The focal point of the exhibit, however, revolves around a member of SCI’s faculty. In a series of audiovisual clips, viewers will hear Professor Angela Stewart’s as she discusses inclusivity and diversity in the tech space, her research values and approach to teaching computing, and the activities that motivate and inspire her.
The exhibit is in the lobby of the Information Sciences Building, at 135 North Bellefield Ave. It will be on display for at least the next month.