Episode 157: Race and Racism in Online Spaces

For today’s episode, we examine the internet as a racialized space by interviewing Dr. Apryl Williams—an assistant professor in the Department of Communication & Media and the Digital Studies Institute at the University of Michigan. During our conversation, we discuss her motivation for researching race in online spaces (07:49), the importance of exploring race relations on the internet (9:10), the process of conducting research in non-traditional spaces (11:00), and academic reception to digital sociology (13:35). Next we have a discussion about the internet as a racialized space (15:35), racial battle fatigue in the digital era (18:30), and her research on Black twitter and How to Get Away with Murder (22:06). We close the episode by exploring her recent work on racial bias and discrimination in online dating (29:05), her article on the sociology of selfies (38:25), and her study on mobile technologies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (43:00). 

Other Topics Include

00:30 – Catch up with Tyrell and Daphne 

01:30 – The Hosts Reflect on Race and Technology 

06:54 – Introduction of Dr. Apryl Williams

07:49 – Learn More about Dr. Williams 

50:45 – Algorithmic Bias in Online Dating 

58:26 – Ty and Daphne Reflect on the Interview 

Resources

• Learn More about Dr. Apryl Williams – https://aprylwilliams.com 
• Berkman Klein Center Profile –  https://cyber.harvard.edu/people/apryl-williams
• Alt-Right, Swipe Left! – https://alt-right-swipe-left.tumblr.com
• Twitter – @AprylW
• Instagram – aprylaw