Human Computer Project Census
Are you an undergraduate historian with an interest in science and technology?
A mathematician or engineer curious about how the evolution in computing has shaped your field? An economist, social scientist, or commerce major seeking historical insights into the nature of today’s STEM workforce?
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Human Computer Project Census, a joint venture of The Human Computer Project and the University of Virginia's Office of the Provost, seeks to build out the database of female professionals of all backgrounds who worked at NASA and its predecessor agency the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) from 1935 to 1980.
Participants in the Human Computer Project Census will work to recover the names of as many women as possible who worked at NASA in this capacity, and will then create both biographical sketches and data records for each woman. Research techniques will include oral history collection, working with digital and physical archives, collecting primary source materials, and reviewing secondary sources.
APPLICATION
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Excellent writing and analytical skills
Ability to conduct independent research and in archives
Familiarity with database and content management software
Willingness to read and summarize scientific and technical documents
RESEARCH PERIOD: SUMMER 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 11, 2024 (Application period is now closed.)
LOOKING AHEAD
2024 is the inaugural year and will serve as a pilot program. The goal of this phase of the census is to create a model, with the University of Virginia as an operational hub. UVA will then serve as the coordinating entity for census units set up at other colleges and universities.
Once the census has created a database of NASA’s women, it will turn its efforts to women who worked in similar capacities in other organizations in government, private industry, and academia. We hope to eventually engage a museum partner as the long-term repository for data and materials collected.
DIRECTORS
Margot Lee Shetterly
Director of the Human Computer Project and Author of Hidden Figures
margot.lee@gmail.com
Ken Ono
STEM Advisor to the Provost and Marvin Rosenblum Professor of Mathematics
ken.ono691@virginia.edu
Mar Hicks
Associate Professor of Data Science and Author of Programmed Inequality
mhicks@virginia.edu
About Margot Lee Shetterly and the Human Computer Project
Margot Lee Shetterly is the founder of the Human Computer Project, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2014. The Human Computer Project is an initiative to recover the names and accomplishments of the women who worked as computers, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers from the 1930s to 1980s. It is a companion project to her book Hidden Figures.
About Ken Ono and UVA's Office of the Provost
Ken Ono is the STEM Advisor to the Provost and the Marvin Rosenblum Professor of Mathematics. He is also a College Faculty Fellow, a Fellow of the Shannon Center for Advanced Studies, Professor by Courtesy of Data Science, and Professor Affiliate in Statistics.
About Mar Hicks and the School of Data Science
Mar Hicks is an Associate Professor of Data Science at the University's School of Data Science, founded in fall 2019 as the first of its kind in the nation, teaching classes on the history of technology, computing, and society. Hicks's book, Programmed Inequality, examines how Britain lost an early strength in computing by discarding women programmers.
About Our Sponsors
This project enjoys partnerships with the National Security Agency, the Office of the Provost at the University of Virginia, the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women's Center at the University of Virginia, and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.