Social Inequality

Researchers in this area examine how communication research, theory, practice, engagement, and design can explain and address social (identities and cultures, such as gender, religion, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, age), economic, health, and political disparities and outcomes that affect people, communities, and wider civic society.

Recent projects in this area focus on:

• Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in representation across digital technologies
• The role of race and class in risk perception and advocacy in environmental and health contexts
• Privacy issues and awareness, including inclusive privacy and digital practices among marginalized and underserved groups
• How gender, race, and sexuality shape social media influencers’ immaterial labor
• How data collection methods and inclusion processes help reduce disparities and enhance interventions
• Ethical issues surrounding the development and use of algorithms and artificial intelligence for economic and political purposes
• Ways that marginalized groups organize to broaden participation in public discourse and protect each other online
• How to prevent algorithmic systems from reinforcing social inequities