Renata Dividino and her colleagues are concerned about how social media algorithmic bias is shaping young people\u2019s engagements with political and social issues.<\/p>\n
In less than a generation, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others have evolved to become \u201cplatforms of fake news, disinformation and propaganda that empower disruptive, divisive voices and conspiracies,\u201d says the Brock University Assistant Professor of Computer Science.<\/p>\n
Supported by the federal government\u2019s New Frontiers in Research Fund<\/a> (NFRF), announced April 25 by Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Fran\u00e7ois-Philippe Champagne and Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos, Dividino and her research team aim to help young Canadians develop \u2018digital citizenship\u2019 skills on social media.<\/p>\n In the long run, the team \u2014 consisting of Assistant Professor of Child and Youth Studies Heather Ramey, Associate Professor of Digital Media Aaron Mauro and Assistant Professor of Computer Science Ali Emami \u2014 hopes to transform social media into a \u201csafe, inclusive and positive space where youth can develop and exercise participatory citizenship with confidence,\u201d says Dividino.<\/p>\n Also receiving support through the NFRF are Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Valerie Michaelson and Associate Professor of Nursing Sheila O\u2019Keefe-McCarthy, who note that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have deepened inequalities in access to health care locally and worldwide.<\/p>\n Through their research, their team strives to reduce discrimination in health-care systems by motivating health-care workers to examine how biases and assumptions shape discriminatory decisions and actions.<\/p>\n Their transdisciplinary group includes Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Sherri Vansickle, Associate\u00a0Professor of\u00a0Sociology Margot Francis and Professor Emeritus of Dramatic Arts Joe Norris, all from Brock University, as well as Kevin Hobbs with Mirror Theatre, Nisha Sajnani with New York University and Mona Sawhney at Queen\u2019s University.<\/p>\n \u201cThese prestigious NFRF awards recognize the profound insights our researchers are contributing on how we can create a more just and inclusive world,\u201d says Brock Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon. \u201cBy addressing deep divisions that polarize people, Drs. Michaelson, O\u2019Keefe-McCarthy and Dividino are opening the space for all to engage with, and reap the benefits of, a democratic society.\u201d<\/p>\n