A Just Thesis: Practices for Equity, Technology, and Community Collaboration

Facilitators:  Georine Pierre (20’ MAS Alum) & Dr. Ufu Ovienmhada (25’ MAS Alum)

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025  

Time: 12-1 PM EST  

Location: E15-466 

RSVP by Tuesday, November 18th. 

How can thesis research move beyond the lab and MIT to engage meaningfully with communities? How do we design applied research that advances both technological innovation and social justice?

A Just Thesis brings together students and researchers exploring community-based, equity-centered, and justice-oriented approaches to their theses. This session will share practical methods, community partnership models, and funding pathways for creating technology that matters—grounded in collaboration, ethics, and reciprocity.

Two Media Lab alums, Dr. Ufuoma Ovienmhada (MAS ‘20) and Georine Pierre (MAS ‘25) will share their applied thesis projects—covering project origins, community partnerships, funding structures, and the tangible outputs they’ve produced. Following the presentations, participants will have space to share their own projects, brainstorm ideas, surface key challenges, and co-develop questions around ethics, equity, and practice in their thesis work. This workshop aims to help participants frame their thesis as both an integrated technical contribution and social/creative practice.