Mona Sloane

Mona Sloane is an Assistant Professor of Data Science at the University of Virginia's School of Data Science and Assistant Professor of Media Studies in the Department of Media Studies. She is a sociologist whose interdisciplinary research centers on the intersection of technology and society, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), ethics, policy, and governance. She leads the Sloane Lab, which conducts empirical research on AI as a social phenomenon, and is active in public scholarship through initiatives like the Co-Opting AI speaker series and her editorship at Public Books.

• Ph.D. in Sociology, London School of Economics and Political Science
• M.Sc. in Sociology, London School of Economics and Political Science
• B.A. in Communications and Cultural Management, Zeppelin Universität Friedrichshafen

Her research interests span responsible AI, algorithmic accountability, AI policy and governance, AI auditing and transparency, technology and democracy, and public scholarship. She investigates how AI systems impact professions, democratic institutions, and social equity, with a focus on developing interdisciplinary frameworks for ethical and inclusive technology design. Her work bridges sociology, data science, media studies, and public policy.

The 15 most recent articles reflect a consistent focus on AI ethics, governance, and societal impact. Themes include AI auditing, transparency in public institutions, AI in hiring and journalism, global AI policy, student-led governance, and interdisciplinary tools for accountability. Her publications emphasize social science approaches to technical problems and advocate for participatory, equitable, and context-sensitive solutions.

• 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics Hall of Fame (2020)
• NYU Faculty Honoree (2021)
• Inaugural Fellow, Future Imagination Collaboratory, NYU Tisch School of the Arts (2020–2021)

Mona Sloane has advised numerous PhD students, postdocs, and research assistants, including Sheilla Addison, Ellen Simpson, and Emma Harvey. Her research is supported by major funders such as the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation, Google, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. She has led significant projects like A BETTER TECH, Terra Incognita NYC, and the AI Procurement Roundtables. She collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, including NYU, The GovLab, and the Tübingen AI Center.

She leads the Sloane Lab, an interdisciplinary research group focused on AI as a social phenomenon. The lab’s work spans four key areas: AI and the Professions, Applied AI Accountability and Transparency, AI Policy and Governance, and Public Scholarship. The team includes PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduate researchers from diverse backgrounds in media studies, public policy, data science, and information science.