Join us for a talk with Dr. Diego Ellis Soto, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Dept of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, at the University of California, Berkeley, who researches the impact of bias in biodiversity data, including a project where he looked at the lack of sighting data in historically redlined neighborhoods. His work reveals far-reaching implications for conservation decisions, investments, the economy, policy, and public health. Dr. Soto advocates for more just, community-centered approach to environmental science and leads local birdwatching programs to engage residents in documenting and understanding their local ecosystems. Diego is also involved in educational programs transforming information of birds into art and music. Don't miss this opportunity to hear how data equity can transform environmental decision-making.

About this group:

We are a group of data users in Connecticut who are supporting one another as we work toward more equitable data practices. We focus on racial equity explicitly but not exclusively.

Some of the topics we talk about include:

• How can we make sure we don't make certain groups invisible through how we disaggregate our data?

• How can we learn to focus our attention on the strengths, rather than the deficits, of groups we are seeking to serve or support?

• How can we learn from the people who we hope will benefit from our products or services about what their data means to them?

• How can we help the institutions that we are part of to be trustworthy so that people will trust us with their information/data?

You can read more about our past events here.

Please feel free to check out the group. And if it is helpful, please share it!