About
Imani Cooper Mkandawire is a writer, artist, and technologist. In the Department of Comparative Literature Imani examines the language of mathematics. Her research intends to construct interdisciplinary approaches to engineering AI, for social justice-oriented algorithmic and data driven technologies. Born in New York City to Gullah Geechee parents, Imani’s art work investigates the history, cultural practices, scientific, linguistic, and mathematical systems of the Gullah peoples. She is a Phd Candidate in the Department of Comparative Literature and the Digital Studies Institute.
Imani is co-founder of Black Haptics Lab envisioned in collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Mary Pena, and a co-editor of the 26th issue of Absinthe, A Journal of World Literature in Translation . She is the recipient of various grants and fellowships including, the U of M Digital Studies Institute Research Grant, Social Science Research Council Predoctoral Fellowship, and The Center for European Studies for Research on Integration. Imani was also nominated for the 2020 Mozilla Firefox Creative Media Award.
As a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Imani teaches a first-year college writing course, and Data Science Ethics.
Interests: Foundations of mathematics, Social Practice Art, African and African American Digital Cultures
Research Languages: English, French, Portuguese
Mentor: Frieda Ekotto
