This session welcomes experts from DePaul University to discuss the best practices in leveraging research and innovation for positive impact on equity and inclusion. This work supports DePaul’s mission, where “Through education and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges”. Panelists will provide examples from their work on how to include equity and inclusion goals in research, and give guidance on how to make sure that the innovations resulting from such research continue to benefit all, including those from marginalized communities.
Lucia Dettori
Associate Dean/Associate Professor, Visual Computing (VC), High Performance and Scientific Computing
College of Computing and Digital Media
Lucia Dettori is an Associate Dean and Associate Professor at DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media. Prior to joining DePaul she has held positions at Brown University and Southern Methodist University. Dr. Dettori holds a Ph.D in Applied Mathematics from the University of Paris XI, France.
Dr. Dettori has done extensive research in the area of medical image processing, scientific computing, and Computer Science education and has secured multi-million dollar grants from federal agencies and private foundations. She has an extensive publication records and has presented her work at conferences across the globe.
A passionate champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the computing field, she co-founded the Chicago Alliance for Equity in Computer Science (CAFÉCS), a research-practitioner partnership including other Computer Science faculty at Loyola University and University of Illinois Chicago, the Office of Computer Science at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and educational researchers at The Learning Partnership. Dr. Dettori has spent the last 10 years working on CAFÉCS’ mission to ensure that all high school students in CPS experience an engaging and rigorous computer science course. As a result of the work of CAFÉCS, CPS is the only large school district in the country that has made one year of computer science a high school graduation requirement. To date 250 high school teachers have received extensive professional development to prepare to teach computer science and over 80,000 CPS high school students have taken at least one Computer Science course. The demographic of students matches the diverse demographic of CPS, resulting in a significant increase in the number of students from traditionally underrepresented groups taking computer science.
James A. Montgomery
Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Studies
College of Science and Health
James Montgomery is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies. His research interests include wetland science and urban soils. He conducts research on phosphorus fate and transport in a restored farmed wetland in north suburban Chicago. His “What’s In Your Soil” project is focused on characterizing and mapping spatial patterns of biological, chemical and physical characteristics of soils, including lead contamination, in Chicago neighborhoods. This project provides students an opportunity to conduct authentic research and develop their professional skills through interaction with homeowners and community organizations. He teaches courses on environmental soil science, earth system science, and research methods, as well as environmental-themed courses in the University Honors Program.
Cindy Pickett
Associate Professor, Psychology
Associate Vice-Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Office of the Provost
Cindy Pickett completed her Ph.D. at Ohio State University and her undergraduate studies at Stanford University. Pickett holds the positions of Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of Psychology at DePaul University in Chicago. At DePaul, Pickett develops and implements policies and practices that promote inclusive hiring practices, supportive academic environments, and proactive retention efforts to build a diverse academic community. Pickett conducts research in the areas of social identity, intergroup relations, the self, social cognition, and social inclusion and belonging. Prior to arriving at DePaul University, Pickett served as the Associate Vice-Provost for Faculty Equity and Inclusion at the University of California, Davis.
Maija Renko (moderator)
Professor & Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship
Driehaus College of Business
Maija Renko teaches entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship classes at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business. Her research and teaching interests are focused on the early stages of the entrepreneurial process, social entrepreneurship, and technology entrepreneurship. Her research has been published in leading management and entrepreneurship journals, and she has received a number of grants to support her research activities. Dr. Renko’s teaching and research contribute to a better understanding of how entrepreneurs build successful businesses that not only generate financial rewards for those involved, but also contribute to positive social change, a sense of achievement for those– often disenfranchised members of the society– involved, and the advancement of society through the introduction of innovations.