Shobita Parthasarathy

@shobitap
822 Followers
85 Following
65 Posts
Science/tech politics and policy, political economy of innovation focused on equity/justice. STS scholar. Author. STPP Director at Ford School, UMich. #TheReceivedWisdom podcast. http://shobitap.org
Websitehttps://shobitap.org
Podcasthttps://thereceivedwisdom.org
STPP Programhttps://stpp.fordschool.umich.edup.fordschool.umich.edu
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/ShobitaP
Show threadShobita ParthasarathyMar 20, 2023
And as always, our show notes feature relevant links and study questions (I think that this episode in particular could be useful for teaching!)
Shobita ParthasarathyMar 20, 2023

On the new episode of The Received Wisdom, @jackstilgoe and I chat w/Amy Moran-Thomas, who first sounded the alarm about racism embedded in the pulse oximeter in August 2020. (I'm so excited about this interview!) Learn about the challenges she faced in getting her concerns published, and her reflections on how we can address racism in medical devices moving forward.

Listen on your favorite podcasting platform or here: https://shobita-parthasarathy.squarespace.com/the-received-wisdom/2023/3/17/episode-32

Episode 32: The Politics of Expertise and Retelling the Story of Racism in the Pulse Oximeter ft. Amy Moran-Thomas — Shobita Parthasarathy

TRANSCRIPT This month, Jack and Shobita talk about the challenges of ensuring that AI and gene editing reflect human values, and reflect on what the recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio tells us about the politics of knowledge. And they chat with Amy Moran-Thomas, Associate Pr

Shobita Parthasarathy
Show threadShobita ParthasarathyMar 13, 2023

I liked Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia
https://upcolorado.com/utah-state-university-press/item/2338-presumed-incompetent

I have also heard that the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity is great....

University Press of Colorado - Presumed Incompetent

The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia "Women in academia still face obstacles built up over centuries, but the contributors to Presumed Incompetent have taken a leap toward liberation. Their revelations will enrage you—and open minds and hearts."—Gloria Steinem "Presu...

Shobita ParthasarathyMar 13, 2023
What's your favorite source of advice (including books) for folks starting a tenure-track job? Bonus points if it speaks to the specific issues that face women, LGBTQ+, people of color, people with disabilities, and other marginalized identities....
Shobita ParthasarathyMar 2, 2023

University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program (which I direct) created a Community Partnerships Initiative, designed to bring community wisdom into decisions about technology, science, and related policies. We support local organizations in their advocacy, through direct consulting and "horizon-scanning" briefs.

Noah Stein, part of our Student Research Corps, recently published an excellent brief on automated license plate readers: https://stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/research/policy-brief/automated-license-plate-readers-legal-and-policy-evaluation

Automated License Plate Readers: Legal and Policy Evaluation | Science, Technology and Public Policy (STPP)

Shobita ParthasarathyFeb 21, 2023
New episode of #TheReceivedWisdom #podcast! This month, @jackstilgoe and I talk about why there should always be a Deputy Director for Science and Society within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and #ChatGPT (and why it's about power, and not just plagiarism!). Plus, we have a super interesting conversation with Kelly Bronson about #data driven "precision agriculture"! Here or on your favorite podcasting platform: https://shobita-parthasarathy.squarespace.com/the-received-wisdom/2023/2/14/episode-31-science-and-society-at-the-white-house-chatgpt-and-the-paradox-of-data-driven-agriculture
Episode 31: Science and Society at the White House, ChatGPT, and the Paradox of Data-Driven Agriculture — Shobita Parthasarathy

TRANSCRIPT Happy New Year!! In this episode, Jack and Shobita discuss Alondra Nelson's departure from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the meaning for the position she created, Deputy Director for Science and Society. We also try to get beyond ChatGPT's hype t

Shobita Parthasarathy
Shobita ParthasarathyFeb 7, 2023

University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) Program is hiring two #altac positions! Please help us spread the word!

The first is for an #Education Program Manager who will help us expand our educational offerings. https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/230150/education-program-manager

The second is a 1-year Research Analyst position. This person will conduct an analysis of STPP's graduate certificate program and compare it with other programs focused on "#STEM in society". https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/230148/research-analyst #job #sts

Education Program Manager | U-M Careers

Shobita ParthasarathyJan 30, 2023
VM (Vicky) BrasseurJan 29, 2023

Huh.

Consumer Reports (CR) has released a mobile app (iOS, Android on the way) that shows what data companies collect about you, then allows you to have CR get the data deleted:

https://www.permissionslipcr.com

Essentially, CR will act as the data ombudsman for anyone who asks them to. I love it.

CR is a non-profit that accepts no advertising or corporate sponsorship, and they have a great reputation. It's a superb choice to take on the data capitalists.

US-only (don't @ me).

#privacy

Permission Slip App by CR

One app to take back control of your data

Shobita ParthasarathyJan 30, 2023

Next Monday, February 6th at 4pm Eastern, University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program is hosting indigenous geneticist and bioethicist Krystal Tsosie, to talk about Indigenous DNA and data: Community approaches to equity in genomics and health.

It will be in person and live-streamed! You can register here: https://stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/event/2023/indigenous-dna-and-data-community-approaches-equity-genomics-and-health #indigenous #DNA #genomics #healthequity

Indigenous DNA and data: Community approaches to equity in genomics and health | Science, Technology and Public Policy (STPP)

Shobita ParthasarathyJan 28, 2023
I'm glad the NYT is finally paying attention. As I've said a billion times, companies like AbbVie are just taking advantage of a rotten patent system. AbbVie has 165 patents over Humira which extends its monopoly far longer than the supposed 20 years. #patent #drugprices #monopoly https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/28/business/humira-abbvie-monopoly.html
How a Drug Company Made $114 Billion by Gaming the U.S. Patent System

AbbVie for years delayed competition for its blockbuster drug Humira, at the expense of patients and taxpayers. The monopoly is about to end.