Mackenzie Jorgensen

"I am an extroverted-introvert, leader, intersectional feminist, coder, and researcher."

"I am an American computer scientist and social justice advocate. I am pursuing a PhD at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, ethics, and social justice. My research focuses on how we can make Artificial Intelligence more safe and just for all people that it impacts; so naturally, I aim to prevent digital discrimination of underprivileged groups. I am a part of the Safe and Trusted AI Center for Doctoral Training at King's College London and Imperial College London. "

"Throughout elementary and middle school, I was always a big fan of math and science. Then, when I took my first Computer Science course in high school back home in Seattle, Washington, I knew that Computer Science was what I wanted to study at university. I loved that I could solve problems and puzzles through code and that I could code for applications in just about any field! I have always been passionate about social justice and politics and after taking Peace and Justice, Philosophy, Computer Ethics, and Ethics courses at Villanova University (where I did my undergraduate degree), I wanted to work at the intersection of technology and those domains. I completed computer science research during my undergraduate degree in the US and Germany from detecting hate speech on Twitter to helping doctors in Puerto Rico analyze massive amounts of data to learn why there was an increase in pre-term births. I really loved research because I was constantly learning and positively contributing to the Computer Science field and to society with my social justice passion."

"Apart from my research, I enjoy most of my time being outdoors with family and friends, walking, running, hiking, kayaking, and biking. I enjoy traveling within the US and abroad. I absolutely love food so you will typically find me at coffeeshops (I'm a born and bred Seattleite), bookshops, and independent restaurants. When I'm not out and about, I'm making vegetarian food, tea, hot cocoa or reading, listening to podcasts or music, facetiming/zooming friends and family (including the doggos) across the \"pond,\" watching tv and films, or meditating."

"I code, brainstorm new ideas, read research papers, write, attend research seminars and meetings with my PhD Supervisors and fellow PhD student friends."

"I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in May 2020. I studied Computer Science and Philosophy as a Presidential Scholar. "