Seyi Olojo

PhD Candidate, School of Information
University of California, Berkeley
CSTMS Research Unit: Berkeley Program in Science and Technology Studies, CSTMS, Designated Emphasis in STS
Affiliation period: December 2021 -
Website
Degrees PhD :: School of Information at UC Berkeley (2026)
BA in Environmental Policy :: Columbia University (2018)

Research Areas

I’m a PhD student in the School of Information at UC Berkeley where I am advised by Drs. Jenna Burrell and Niloufar Salehi. Previously, I worked in NYC as a data analyst within the AdTech industry. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy from Barnard College in 2018. When I’m not thinking about the social impacts of data, I moonlight as a recipe developer. 

My research is primarily focused on what it means to quantify the human. I study how the social histories of classification and statistics inform how technology is used as a way to both abstract and marginalize vulnerable populations. Additionally, I study the role of alternative epistemological paradigms for imagining safer and more humane data practices.

Right now I’m investigating how the political economy of personal data encodes socio-health based categories on individuals who struggle with stigmatized health identities. This research seeks to uncover constantly evolving challenges to privacy as advertising and content recommendation technology continue to get more personalized.

I use a mixed methods approach, which for me, is in service of my goal of turning theory into practice. At Berkeley, I am affiliated with the Algorithmic Fairness and Opacity Group and the Center for Technology, Policy and Society.

Previously, I worked in NYC as a data analyst within the AdTech industry. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy from Barnard College in 2018. When I’m not thinking about the social impacts of data, I moonlight as a recipe developer.

last updated: March 13th, 2022