Inspiring the Next Generation: Methodspace Series on ‘The Future of Computational Science is Black’

February is Black History Month in the US and throughout the month on our sister site Methodspace we’ve spotlighted “The Future of Computational Science is Black,” a series of blogs about SICSS-Howard/Mathematica 2021, the first Summer Institute in Computational Social Science held at a historically Black college or university.

The Summer Institute in Computational Social Science, or SICSS, brings together graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty for two weeks of intensive study and interdisciplinary research. SICSS-Howard/Mathematica 2021, focused on growing a depth of knowledge and appreciation for computational social science in underrepresented communities.

SICSS-Howard/Mathematica welcomed 24 participants to a two-week institute focused on the alleviation of anti-Black racism and inequity. Participants were given the opportunity to foster community and build confidence with the aim of countering racism and inequity using computational social science.

Throughout the program, participants were inspired by notable scholars, business leaders, and speakers from across the computational social science field. The wide spectrum of topics discussed by the distinguished guest speakers included breaking down imposter syndrome as a Black academic, underrepresentation in AI and statistics, discriminatory design, and criminal justice.

SICSS-Howard/Mathematica set out to help guide the next generation of computational social science scholars and give a platform to diverse voices.