Justice and Equity in Technology Policy from Coursera

More than ever, technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. This has an enormous impact, particularly for marginalized communities. The artificial intelligence and computer algorithms increasingly driving government and industry decisions—from the allocation of social services to hiring—are reflecting and reinforcing social biases towards women, people of color, and disabled people, among others. Global climate change is having a disproportionately negative impact on low- and middle-income countries, and on historically disadvantaged communities of color in the United States. Communities are increasingly concerned they are not benefiting from government research funding, and that the regulation of emerging technologies is inadequate.

The interconnectedness of technology, policy, and equality raises crucial questions for scientists, technologists, and leaders in public policy, civil society, and industry. How can technology be built, implemented, and governed more equitably? How can the concerns of marginalized communities be integrated better into technology and related policies? How should community knowledge and concerns be integrated with technical expertise and scientific evidence in the development of public policies?

This course aims to help learners understand how inequity and injustice can become embedded in technology, science, and associated policies, and how this can be addressed.

Combining real-world cases with scholarly insights, this course introduces learners to these challenges and offers tools for navigating them. You will learn about:

- The landscape of technology policymaking

- How technology, and related policies both reflect and reinforce social values, biases and politics

- The power and limitations of technology in solving social problems

- New ways to think about “experts” and “publics”

- The politics of innovation policy

The course is designed for people from diverse professional, advocacy, and academic backgrounds. No scientific, technical, or policy background is necessary.

What's inside

Syllabus

How do Values Shape Technology?

In this week first week of the course on How do values Shape Technology?, you'll be learning about social values, political priorities, and how the impacts of values, biases and assumptions shape design. You can expect a few graded quizzes and discussion prompts.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores how technology, science, and related policies can perpetuate inequity and injustice, and how to address it

Taught by Shobita Parthasarathy, a leading researcher and advocate in the field of technology and social justice

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials to reinforce concepts

Provides a multi-modal learning experience with videos, readings, discussions, and more

Examines how technology and related policies reflect and reinforce social values, biases, and politics

Develops critical thinking skills and the ability to navigate complex socio-technical issues

Reviews summary

Tech policy, equity & social justice

According to learners who would likely appreciate this course, 'Justice and Equity in Technology Policy' offers a highly relevant and timely exploration of how technology intersects with public policy and social justice. Students find it provides a broadly accessible introduction, even for those without a technical or policy background, making complex topics understandable. The course's focus on marginalized communities and systemic inequities is frequently highlighted as a core strength. While the peer-reviewed assignments provide opportunities for application, some might desire more in-depth dives into specific technical or policy mechanisms, suggesting it serves as an excellent foundation rather than a deep specialization.

Engages learners through critical thinking and peer feedback.

"The peer-reviewed assignments encouraged deeper engagement and critical thinking about the material."

"I found the peer review process a good way to apply what I learned and see others' perspectives."

"While peer feedback can vary, it pushed me to articulate my understanding more clearly."

Combines theory with real-world examples and tools.

"The real-world examples helped ground the theoretical concepts in practical applications."

"I learned valuable tools for analyzing the political dimensions of technology and innovation."

"The course offers a solid foundation for navigating complex technology policy challenges."

Designed for diverse backgrounds, no prior expertise needed.

"Even without a tech background, I found the concepts digestible and well-explained."

"The course truly caters to a diverse audience, making complex policy discussions understandable."

"It was great that I didn't need prior policy or scientific knowledge to engage with the material."

Deeply explores issues of justice and systemic inequity.

"I particularly valued the focus on how technology disproportionately affects low-income and disadvantaged groups."

"The course shifted my perspective on how to integrate community concerns into tech development."

"It provides a robust framework for thinking about responsible and equitable innovation."

Explores crucial, contemporary issues in tech and society.

"The topics addressed feel incredibly current and urgent given today's technological landscape."

"I appreciate how the course directly tackles the real-world impact of AI and algorithms on marginalized communities."

"It's vital to understand how technology reinforces biases, and this course explains it clearly."

Covers many topics, some wishing for deeper dives.

"I wished some of the fascinating topics, like AI bias, could have been explored in more depth."

"While comprehensive, the course felt a bit surface-level on certain policy mechanisms."

"It's a great overview, but I'll need to seek additional resources for more detailed understanding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Justice and Equity in Technology Policy with these activities:

Review statistics

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Brush up on your statistical skills to strengthen your understanding of data analysis and research methods used in technology and policy research.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Revisit basic statistical concepts, such as mean, median, and standard deviation.
Practice applying statistical tests, including hypothesis testing and regression analysis.

Read 'Algorithms of Oppression' by Safiya Umoja Noble

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Gain a deeper understanding of the systemic biases embedded in algorithms and their impact on marginalized communities.

View Algorithms of Oppression on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of 'Algorithms of Oppression'.
Read the book and take notes on key concepts and arguments.
Reflect on the implications of the book for your own work and research.

Attend a workshop on technology policy and ethics

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Gain insights from experts and engage in hands-on activities to enhance your understanding of the ethical and policy implications of technology.

Browse courses on Technology Policy

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Search for workshops on technology policy and ethics in your area.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities.

Four other activities

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Participate in a peer discussion on the societal impacts of emerging technologies

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Engage in discussions with peers to broaden your understanding of the potential consequences of technological advancements.

Browse courses on Emerging Technologies

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Join a study group or online forum focused on the societal impacts of technology.
Prepare discussion points based on the course materials.
Actively participate in the discussion, sharing your perspectives and listening to others.

Develop a policy brief on addressing bias in AI systems

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Apply your knowledge of technology policy to create a tangible deliverable that addresses a real-world issue.

Browse courses on AI Bias

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Research best practices for mitigating bias in AI systems.
Identify a specific policy area where AI bias is a concern.
Develop a policy brief outlining recommendations for addressing the issue.

Participate in a hackathon focused on social impact

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Engage in a hands-on challenge that combines your technical skills with your passion for solving societal issues.

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Find a hackathon that aligns with your interests and skills.
Form a team or work independently to develop a solution.
Present your solution to a panel of judges.

Contribute to an open-source project related to technology and equity

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Make a meaningful contribution to the field by collaborating on open-source projects that promote equity in technology.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skills.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Submit a code contribution or participate in discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Justice and Equity in Technology Policy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technology Policy Advisor

Technology Policy Advisors advise government officials and industry leaders on how to develop and implement technology policies. They assess the impact of new technologies on society and the economy, and recommend policies that will promote innovation and protect the public interest. This course covers the landscape of technology policymaking, how technology and related policies reflect and reinforce social values, biases, and politics, and how to rethink technology policy for equity. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Technology Policy Advisor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Policy Advisor

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are responsible for the development and implementation of technology strategies for their organizations. They oversee the development of new products and services, and manage the organization's technology infrastructure. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Chief Technology Officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work with businesses and organizations to create software that meets their specific needs. This course covers how artificial intelligence and computer algorithms are increasingly driving government and industry decisions, and how they are reflecting and reinforcing social biases. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. They work with businesses and organizations to create websites that meet their specific needs. This course covers how artificial intelligence and computer algorithms are increasingly driving government and industry decisions, and how they are reflecting and reinforcing social biases. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They use their findings to make recommendations for businesses and organizations. This course covers how artificial intelligence and computer algorithms are increasingly driving government and industry decisions, and how they are reflecting and reinforcing social biases. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. They develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to analyze data and extract meaningful insights. This course covers how artificial intelligence and computer algorithms are increasingly driving government and industry decisions, and how they are reflecting and reinforcing social biases. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Data Scientist.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. They specialize in a variety of fields, including technology, policy, and equity. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Professor.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products and services. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to create products that meet the needs of customers. This course covers how to rethink design and community-based design. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Product Manager.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers (UX Designers) design and develop the user interface for websites, apps, and other digital products. They focus on creating products that are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. This course covers how to rethink design and community-based design. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a User Experience Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal issues and represent them in court. They specialize in a variety of areas, including technology, policy, and equity. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Lawyer.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts study and develop policy for government agencies and non-profit organizations. They analyze the impact of current policies and propose new policies that will meet the needs of the community. This course covers how technology policy is made, and how it reflects and reinforces social values, biases, and politics. It also covers how to rethink technology policy for equity and change in governance of technology. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Policy Analyst.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses and organizations to identify and solve problems. They use their analytical skills to develop solutions that improve efficiency and productivity. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Business Analyst.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including technology, policy, and equity. They help businesses and organizations to improve their performance and achieve their goals. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Consultant.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research on a variety of topics, including technology, policy, and equity. They develop new theories and methods, and apply their findings to solve real-world problems. This course covers how to integrate community knowledge and concerns with technical expertise and scientific evidence in the development of public policies. It also covers how to rethink expertise and public mistrust. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Research Scientist.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news and current events for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They investigate stories, interview sources, and write articles that inform the public about important issues. This course covers how technology is shaping, and being shaped by, public policy. It also covers how to build and implement technology more equitably, and how to integrate the concerns of marginalized communities into technology policy. This course would be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Journalist.

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