MIT announces the arrival of nine MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars for the academic years 2023-24, set to share their insights and expertise.
Hail the 2023-2024 MLK Scholars gracing MIT halls! These trailblazers, hand-picked to pay homage to the legendary Martin Luther King Jr., will join MIT's vibrant community, sprinkling their wisdom and experience among students, staff, and faculty alike.
Established over three decades ago, the MLK Scholars Program has welcomed more than 140 minds like these, shining stars at the forefront of their fields. The scholars actively participate in community engagement, embodying MIT's values while contributing to our mission to serve the nation and the world in the tech-filled 21st century.
The fresh batch of intellects includes:
- Tawanna Dillahunt, an information school associate professor at the University of Michigan, hooks up with Catherine D'Ignazio and Fotini Christia at the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). Her research shines a light on equitable computing, and during her appointment, she'll explore ethical and socially responsible tech methods.
- Kwabena Donkor, an assistant marketing professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, tags along with Dean Eckles, fellow marketing professor at MIT Sloan School of Management. Thanks to Donkor, we'll soon have a better understanding of social norms, identity, and marketplace dynamics.
- Denise Frazier, a performer and researcher from Tulane University's New Orleans Center for the Gulf South, falls under the wing of the Morris Cohen Professor, Christine Ortiz, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Frazier's work merges cultural studies, environmental justice, and music, bringing a unique flavor to MIT.
- Wasalu Jaco recycles his MIT appointment, now in his second year, hosted by Nick Montfort, a professor of digital media, and Mary Fuller, a literature professor. Jaco's research project enhances his Cyber/Cypher Rapper vision, creating a computational system capable of improvising rap.
- Morgane Konig gains stronger bonds with the cosmology researchers at MIT's Center for Theoretical Physics during her postdoc stint. Her research directs attention to dark matter, dark energy, and the intriguing nature lurking in the scientific community's mysterious unknowns.
- Angelica Mayolo-Obregon, Colombia's former minister of culture and environmental protection advocate, ventures to MIT to spread knowledge, share insights, and help MIT assemble cross-continental climate action gatherings. Hosted by both John Fernandez and J. Phillip Thompson, Mayolo-Obregon uses her expertise to support Afro-descendant communities.
- Jean-Luc Pierite, a Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana president and North American Indian Center of Boston board member, fosters connections with Indigenous communities during his time at MIT. His research focuses on increasing resilience in climate planning, revolutionizing scientific and other disciplines with the wisdom of Indigenous practices.
- Christine Taylor-Butler '81, a children's book author with a genius for literacy advocacy and STEAM education, partners with local community organizations in Boston. Thanks to Taylor-Butler, future books in her "The Lost Tribe" series are on the horizon, inspiring budding explorers to crack codes and solve mysteries.
- Angelino Viceisza, an economics professor at Spelman College, embarks on an MLK Visiting Professorship alongside MIT Sloan heavyweights. Viceisza's research digs into remittances, retirement, and household finance in low-income countries, offering valuable insights to public finance, financial economics, and development communities.
Some scholars from last year's cohort remain at MIT through the end of 2023, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming scholarly events! For more info on the MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars Program, shoot over to the campus website.
- The 2023-2024 MLK Scholars, a diverse group, are set to begin their journey at MIT, joining the institution's dynamic community.
- Tawanna Dillahunt, an associate professor from the University of Michigan, is one such scholar who specializes in equitable computing and will examine ethical and socially responsible technology methods at MIT.
- Kwabena Donkor, an assistant marketing professor from Stanford Graduate School of Business, will collaborate with Dean Eckles from MIT Sloan School of Management to scrutinize social norms, identity, and marketplace dynamics.
- Denise Frazier, a Tulane University researcher, will merge cultural studies, environmental justice, and music at MIT, under the guidance of the Morris Cohen Professor, Christine Ortiz, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
- Wasalu Jaco, in his second year at MIT, will further explore his Cyber/Cypher Rapper vision with Nick Montfort, a professor of digital media, and Mary Fuller, a literature professor, creating a computational system capable of improvising rap.
- Morgane Konig, a cosmology researcher, will delve into dark matter, dark energy, and other scientific mysteries at MIT's Center for Theoretical Physics during her postdoc tenure.
- Angelica Mayolo-Obregon, a former minister of culture and environmental protection advocate from Colombia, will share insights and help organize cross-continental climate action gatherings at MIT.
- Jean-Luc Pierite, a tribal leader and Indigenous issues advocate, will focus on increasing resilience in climate planning at MIT, collaborating with various scientific and other disciplines to revolutionize their practices.
- Christine Taylor-Butler '81, a children's book author and literacy advocate, will partner with local community organizations in Boston to inspire budding explorers through her "The Lost Tribe" series.
- Angelino Viceisza, an economics professor from Spelman College, will research remittances, retirement, and household finance in low-income countries, offering valuable insights to public finance, financial economics, and development communities at MIT.
- The public is encouraged to follow up on the MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars Program on the campus website for more information about upcoming scholarly events.
- As some scholars from last year's cohort continue their tenure at MIT until the end of 2023, there will be numerous opportunities to engage in education, personal growth, learning, research, technology, and community engagement.
