Skip to content

Coded Bias Film Screening + Director Q&A

October 15, 2021 - 4:00pm

Greetings UC Merced,

As recent events have shown, social media and algorithms have the potential to shape our lives in ways we are not always aware of. The documentary Coded Bias follows MIT computer scientist Joy Buolamwini along with data scientists, mathematicians, and watchdog groups from all over the world, as they fight to expose the discrimination within algorithms now prevalent across all spheres of daily life.

The Applied Mathematics Department and the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at UC Merced proudly present a special screening of the movie Coded Bias followed by a Q&A with the flim’s director Shalini Kantayya.

The Q&A will be facilitated by Ms. Maia Powell and Ms. Majerle Reeves, Applied Mathematics graduate students who explore bias in algorithms & data in their own research.

Of course, research and interest algorithmic bias extends far beyond Applied Mathematics!

We will highlight and amplify the work of others at UC Merced championing equity work in this area so we can continue to collaborate and converse about these important challenges together.

How to watch Coded Bias?

You can watch Coded Bias anytime you like! It’s available on Netflix and through a special link to our campus (Oct 9 – 15th)

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/523848606

Password: (not shown here)

Or you can join us for an in-person screening in ACS 120 at 4:00pm followed by our Zoom Q&A with the Director.

Q&A with Coded Bias Director Shalini Kantayya:

Join us either in person (ACS 120) on-line in our webinar. The webinar will open at 5:30pm and Shalini will join us at 6pm.

In addition to Coded Bias, Shalini has directed an episode of the National Geographic television series Breakthrough, a series profiling trailblazing scientists transforming the future. Her debut feature film Catching the Sun, about the race for a clean energy future, premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and was named a New York Times Critics’ Pick.

How to Participate?

If you’re not joining us in person, register here for the webinar:

https://ucmerced.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9anqnO8lQPiufkgq6ETq-A

Want to submit a question for Director Shalini Kantayya in advance?

Submit your question here: https://ucmerced.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDFsBRQJNyvSL6C

Questions or Comments?

You can also provide your comments at the same Qualtrics link or email: Suzanne Sindi (ssindi@ucmerced.edu) and Derek Sollberger (dsollberger@ucmerced.edu).

We look forward to seeing you virtually and in-person!