Big Ideas, Grand Challenges - The Future of Human Communication

Nicole earned her MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine at Cambridge University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. A Fellow in the Program on Science, Technology and Society, Nicole studies controversies at the intersection of technology and policy through the disciplinary approach of Science and Technology Studies (STS). Her current projects specifically investigate how technological innovations, including 5G and the internet of things, are shaping our understanding of cities, citizenship, and democracy. She is also working to build stronger STS graduate student networks as co-founder of the Graduate Research in Science, Techology, and Society (GRiSTS) conference at Harvard. 

Dr. Bryan Carter received his PhD at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently the Director of the Center for Digital Humanities and an Associate Professor in Africana Studies at the University of Arizona. He specializes in African American literature of the 20th Century with a primary focus on the Harlem Renaissance. Dr. Carter's research centers on how the use of traditional and advanced interactive and immersive technologies changes the dynamic within the learning space. Dr. Carter has completed his first book entitled Digital Humanities: Current Perspectives, Practice and Research through Emerald Publishing, and his second manuscript, through Routledge Press, entitled AfroFuturism: Experiencing Culture Through Technology, will be published in early summer 2022. Dr. Carter is a University of Arizona CUES Distinguished Fellow and recently received a Research Innovation Award to create the University of Arizona Anti-Racism Extended Reality Studio.

Amara Aguilar is an associate professor of journalism at University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication. She centers her work around emerging technology, visual journalism, social media, design, Latinx audiences and engaging diverse communities. At USC, she co-founded Annenberg Media’s award-winning bilingual outlet, Dímelo, focused on serving Latinx audiences. Dr. Aguilar has written for Los Angeles Times, CNN, NiemanLab, and other outlets. She has worked as a designer, visual journalist, reporter, social media engagement producer and consultant. An award-winning journalist and educator, she’s conducted social media, data, and digital journalism training for the Associated Press, ABC News, the National Football League and other organizations.