{"636640":{"#nid":"636640","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Letter to Our Community - Summer 2020","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0026rsquo;s been a turbulent\u0026nbsp;spring\u0026nbsp;in our country and around the world.\u0026nbsp;We\u0026rsquo;ve faced a global\u0026nbsp;pandemic that continues to impact our communities in\u0026nbsp;countless ways \u0026ndash; our health, work, the economy, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs we work to resume research activities on campus and out in the world, I want to make two important points. First and foremost, our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, faculty, partners, and research participants. We have\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/responding-covid-19\u0022\u003E important work to do\u003C\/a\u003E, especially now, but we are meeting those priorities with deliberate planning and patience to protect the wellbeing of our community. Second, I want to thank and applaud our\u0026nbsp;IPaT\u0026nbsp;team for your\u0026nbsp;dedicated work during these challenging times. You\u0026rsquo;ve given your best game when none of us had best games to give. While we\u0026rsquo;ve been physically separated, it has been tremendously important to continue to draw strength and inspiration from each other.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs we begin to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/news\/ipat-covid-19-ramp-and-recovery-planning\u0022\u003Eramp up on-campus research\u003C\/a\u003E this summer and into the fall, things will be different at the Institute for People and Technology in many ways. We\u0026rsquo;re taking\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/tech-moving-forward\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eextra steps to protect the health\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;of our faculty, staff, students, and collaborators.\u0026nbsp;And we will continue meeting as a community to have frank discussions about how to proceed safely.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd now, we\u0026rsquo;re asked to do more. Much more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough we\u0026rsquo;ve started to resume some\u0026nbsp;semblance\u0026nbsp;of our normal\u0026nbsp;lives, these challenging times are\u0026nbsp;now about more than\u0026nbsp;a pandemic wreaking havoc across the globe. They\u0026rsquo;re also\u0026nbsp;about\u0026nbsp;generations of racial injustice and\u0026nbsp;terrible loss of life\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash;Ahmaud\u0026nbsp;Arbery,\u0026nbsp;Rayshard\u0026nbsp;Brooks,\u0026nbsp;George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and far too many others.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis past month I\u0026rsquo;ve appreciated candid conversations\u0026nbsp;I\u0026rsquo;ve had\u0026nbsp;with colleagues, friends, and family. We\u0026rsquo;ve\u0026nbsp;talked about\u0026nbsp;meaningful actions to\u0026nbsp;end the\u0026nbsp;violence inflicted on Black communities,\u0026nbsp;to combat racial injustice, both historic and current,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;how to actively\u0026nbsp;work toward\u0026nbsp;social justice and\u0026nbsp;equity\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;every\u0026nbsp;facet\u0026nbsp;of our lives, including\u0026nbsp;here at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIPaT\u0026nbsp;has a\u0026nbsp;relatively\u0026nbsp;unique role on the Georgia Tech campus.\u0026nbsp;Our\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/about\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efour-part mission\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;calls us to\u0026nbsp;catalyze\u0026nbsp;our community,\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;provide\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;continuity\u0026nbsp;and capacity\u0026nbsp;to address important societal challenges and to\u0026nbsp;advocate\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;educate\u0026nbsp;for change that improves the human condition.\u0026nbsp;We\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;lead through empowering voices that have been ignored, we\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;foment change by\u0026nbsp;dedicating our time, energy and resources in new ways, and we\u0026nbsp;will\u0026nbsp;make a real difference through stubborn persistence and dedication.\u0026nbsp;We are, and will continue to be, engaged in serious conversations about how our actions should\u0026nbsp;change\u0026nbsp;as part of the changes we want to see in the world. We are not interested in a \u0026ldquo;toothless\u0026rdquo; response\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;critiquing our core priorities, operations,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;activities to enable sustained systemic change.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0026rsquo;re committed to not only saying that Black Lives Matter, but also putting\u0026nbsp;these\u0026nbsp;words into\u0026nbsp;concrete\u0026nbsp;action\u0026nbsp;in our daily lives\u0026nbsp;in the\u0026nbsp;academic community.\u0026nbsp;We will:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmplify Black voices.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Earlier this month, STEM and academia\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.shutdownstem.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epaused work to reflect on\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;critical\u0026nbsp;changes\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;needed\u0026nbsp;in these communities. We\u0026rsquo;ll do\u0026nbsp;our part\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;acknowledge and amplify the significant contributions of our Black colleagues, encourage more Black students in STEM, and fight systemic racism\u0026nbsp;that creates barriers to advancement and equality.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIncorporate social justice\u0026nbsp;throughout\u0026nbsp;our work.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;We\u0026rsquo;re proud of our ongoing social justice research,\u0026nbsp;like\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/workshop-kicks-joint-interdisciplinary-public-interest-technology-fellowship-program\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epartnering\u0026nbsp;with Georgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to address inequity through computing\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;supporting research that examines the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/past-think-tank-events\/ipat-thursday-think-tank-hashtags-movements-performance-collective-narrative\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eerasure of Black women\u0026rsquo;s voices\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;social movements\u003C\/a\u003E. But\u0026nbsp;we can\u0026nbsp;\u0026ndash; and\u0026nbsp;will \u0026ndash; do more by encouraging collaboration and\u0026nbsp;fostering\u0026nbsp;conversations about diversity\u0026nbsp;and inclusion\u0026nbsp;in research.\u0026nbsp;Specifically, we will regularly incorporate speakers and open discussions surrounding\u0026nbsp;social justice into our weekly\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/ipat-thursday-think-tank\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThink Tank series\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProvide pivotal research and educational experiences for our students.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;We can amplify our impact through the lives of our\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/students\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Estudents\u0026nbsp;with the research experiences, innovation activities, and educational opportunities\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;they have with us.\u0026nbsp;As one example, we are changing our twice-yearly\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/cic.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Estudent\u0026nbsp;innovation\u0026nbsp;competition\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(CIC)\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;systemically incorporate issues of equity and diversity, sustainability, and universal\u0026nbsp;design;\u0026nbsp;addressing\u0026nbsp;the design of innovation categories, the training we offer students, and our judging criteria.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe\u0026nbsp;vigilant\u0026nbsp;in monitoring for gaps in communication\u0026nbsp;about key resources and opportunities.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;We want\u0026nbsp;to ensure the opportunities are equally available to all members of our community, and we commit\u0026nbsp;to an active role in reducing current disparities and bias.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\t\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGuided by \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/about\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eour\u0026nbsp;values\u003C\/a\u003E, we will do all of this through partnership. Our campus and our city\u0026nbsp;offer\u0026nbsp;deep experience, wisdom, and courage and\u0026nbsp;we will work to connect this richness throughout our community, including students new to the US, researchers new to\u0026nbsp;these challenges, and partners seeking to promote social justice.\u0026nbsp;We will continue to seek out voices from our Black leaders, our Black staff, and Black colleagues and look for their guidance\u0026nbsp;to actively marshal our resources\u0026nbsp;to be bolder and better\u0026nbsp;than\u0026nbsp;we\u0026nbsp;have been to forge a more equitable society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI encourage everyone to keep these conversations going\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;we\u0026nbsp;invite your input.\u0026nbsp;You are\u0026nbsp;always welcome to\u0026nbsp;share your ideas\u0026nbsp;at\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ipat@gatech.edu\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eipat@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u202ffor actions that we can take individually and collectively as the\u0026nbsp;IPaT\u0026nbsp;community.\u0026nbsp;You can also reach me\u0026nbsp;directly\u0026nbsp;at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:mynatt@gatech.edu\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Emynatt@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;We have\u0026nbsp;important\u0026nbsp;work to do.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI encourage everyone to take time during the\u0026nbsp;upcoming\u0026nbsp;holiday to rest and reflect on our nation\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;challenging history and legacy and come out on the other side ready for change.\u0026nbsp;This is\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;not a moment, it\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;a movement\u0026rdquo; to\u0026nbsp;create change\u0026nbsp;within our spaces on campus,\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;our\u0026nbsp;community, and throughout our nation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EElizabeth Mynatt\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EExecutive Director\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInstitute for People and Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"It\u2019s been a turbulent\u00a0spring\u00a0in our country and around the world.\u00a0We\u2019ve faced a global\u00a0pandemic that continues to impact our communities in\u00a0countless ways \u2013 our health, work, the economy, and more."}],"uid":"27980","created_gmt":"2020-06-30 19:27:06","changed_gmt":"2020-07-01 16:02:01","author":"Alyson Key","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-07-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/responding-covid-19","title":"Responding to COVID-19"},{"url":"http:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/tech-moving-forward","title":"Tech Moving Forward"},{"url":"http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/workshop-kicks-joint-interdisciplinary-public-interest-technology-fellowship-program","title":"Public Interest Technology Fellowship Program"},{"url":"http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/past-think-tank-events\/ipat-thursday-think-tank-hashtags-movements-performance-collective-narrative","title":"From #hashtags to Movements: Performance, Collective Narrative, and Erasure, a Black Feminist Perspective"},{"url":"http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/ipat-thursday-think-tank","title":"IPaT Thursday Think Tank series"},{"url":"http:\/\/ipat.gatech.edu\/students","title":"IPaT Student Opportunities"},{"url":"http:\/\/cic.gatech.edu","title":"Convergence Innovation Competition (CIC)"}],"groups":[{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}