Charlton McIlwain is the Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement and Development and Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. His research focuses on the intersection of race, digital media, and racial justice activism, founding the Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies. He authored Black Software: The Internet & Racial Justice, From the AfroNet to Black Lives Matter and co-authored the award-winning Race Appeal: How Political Candidates Invoke Race In U.S. Political Campaigns . McIlwain holds a Ph.D. in Communication and a Master's in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, alongside a B.A. in Family Psychology from Oklahoma Baptist University. His work critically examines algorithmic bias, racialized digital advertising, and the role of technology in perpetuating or challenging systemic inequities. Recent research includes studies on computational policing, housing discrimination via algorithms, and the ethical implications of AI development. His scholarship bridges academic and public spheres through policy advocacy, including testimony before AI task forces and collaborations with institutions to address digital racial disparities. McIlwain’s interdisciplinary approach integrates media studies, political science, and critical race theory to explore how technology shapes—and is shaped by—racial dynamics in society. Key contributions include analyzing racial framing in political campaigns, the digital dimensions of social movements like #BlackLivesMatter, and the historical trajectory of Black digital innovation from AfroNet to contemporary platforms. His work underscores the necessity of equitable tech design and inclusive policy frameworks to mitigate algorithmic harms.
