BWOG Science brings back research spotlights! Last week, I had the privilege of talking to Bwogger Riley Stacy (Bc’27),, A major of computer science, mathematics and human rights with a passion for technology of public interest.
Riley did not have the most conventional path to computer science. When she entered Barnard, she expected to specialize in neuroscience and was firmly on the pre-medical track. All this changed when she chose the Tech + Society version of the first -year seminar required by Barnard at random. The course, and his passionate teacher, opened his eyes to the intersection of technology and social justice, prompted him to change majors and plunge into a field where IT encounters pressing societal problems.
Riley’s academic pivot quickly led him to practical research, joining his professor project on automated risk assessment tools before the trial. These tools are used to predict whether a person awaiting trials could reoffend or miss a hearing date, and are often considered as a means of making the judicial system more objective. However, the Riley team and an increasing ensemble of research have revealed that these algorithms can really strengthen existing racial and socioeconomic biases because they are based on historical data shaped by decades of police practices and uneven determination. Instead of eliminating human bias, the tools may integrate it deeper into the system, sometimes overestimating the risks for marginalized groups.
Riley’s research is both fascinating and extremely important, because his team works to make technology more equitable, centered on humans and less biased. She attributes to research through her seminar teacher, who offered Riley an independent study project in Barnard her first -year spring semester. The professor then moved to Nyu, where Riley continues to do this work.
When asked for advice on research, she laughed and said you have to “be a little boring” to the teachers to demonstrate your passion and your interest. Read their papers. Go to conferences. Think of certain questions and go talk to them in office hours. Basically, continue to learn and be able to demonstrate your interests! She said that she felt very lucky, but that there are “so many teachers more than ready to help and support undergraduate students”.
Having a mentor to guide her through it was so important, and she is grateful to have someone like her teacher. Riley also appreciates the department of Barnard CS, because it is much smaller and tight than the department of Columbia. Thanks to this, she found support and a place to explore her curiosities. Barnard also provides help to student researchers through the summer research institute (Sri), which Riley did last summer and found a precious experience.
Riley admitted that at the beginning, doing research like this can be frustrating, because you must understand a lot. It is very different than taking a course, where it all left for you. However, she said that doing research taught her more than all her classes. It is so important to get a practical experience, and she said that being able to solve problems through it was so rewarding. With her experience by doing this research, she hopes to go to her higher education and continue working in a related field.
I then asked questions about the current research landscape and how it was touched by it. I found that in all areas, scientific laboratories have felt more and more threatened by institutional and national pressures. Riley is grateful that his current research is in Nyu, so they did not face the same level of financing cups. However, the small team with which she works has many international students, undergraduate students to doctoral candidates, who are all anxious to continue their work, in particular because of the nature focused on actions. Riley described the initial shock she felt when cuts were announced for the first time in Columbia. It is a scary landscape to continue to collaborate when even your teachers are afraid and declare that they have never experienced something like that before.
Because the work they do is linked to the reduction of biases in legal systems, they try to move their language so that they are not as vulnerable to be targeted, but can always continue their work. This kind of uncertainty is frightening, but Riley explained how she feels much more confident now and determined to continue her work. His mentor is resilient and has given an inspiring conference to the team to strengthen the importance of the work they do, especially for the moment. From this, Riley described a kind of responsibility that she feels to continue her research, especially since she is not as directly threatened compared to her international peers.
When asked how Columbia and Barnard could better support researchers, she explained that she would like to see more clarity and support concerning the current situation. It is frightening to see Columbia cut research teams and be unable to provide more funding. The increase in institutional support would be welcome at the moment, in particular given certain researchers, in particular undergraduate students, are often underpaid and overloaded with work. She would also like research to be more accessible to undergraduate students, because it can often be difficult to find connections and take the first step towards participation in research.
Riley’s experience shows that following your interests, even if it means changing your way, can lead to significant work. His research concerning the bias in the prior risk assessment tools highlight the tangible impact that students can have, especially when looking for good mentors and good support. Despite the uncertainty around research at the moment, Columbia students like Riley are still working hard to advance the scientific community and contributions to our world.
Photo via Riley Stacy