Data + Donuts // Access and Equity in College Admissions with Sharad Goel

​Sharad Goel is a Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, and an affiliate faculty member in Computer Science at the Harvard School of Engineering. He looks at public policy through the lens of computer science, bringing a computational perspective to a diverse range of contemporary social issues including policing practices, fair machine learning, and democratic governance.

At this session of Data + Donuts, Professor Goel will talk about his recent empirical work on access to education. He'll discuss a series of inter-related empirical projects aimed at understanding and reducing disparities in college applications and admissions. Professor Goel will start by showing that a popular college-planning tool dissuades many high-achieving high schoolers from applying to competitive colleges for which they are qualified. Then, shifting gears, he'll examine the ongoing debate over whether Asian American students are disadvantaged relative to white students when applying to Ivy League universities and similarly selective colleges. Finally, Professor Goel will discuss the dearth of low-income students at selective schools.

This event will be held in a hybrid format. Please register to receive a link to join via Zoom. In-person attendees can join us in the Library Commons (ground floor of Littauer, to the left of the HKS Library’s main entrance). The Library Commons is wheelchair/scooter accessible, and accessible restrooms are available. In-person attendees must follow HKS’ COVID-19 protocols. Those without an HUID may enter via the Wexner security desk.

Data + Donuts is a learning and discussion group that offers a welcoming space to engage critically with issues of data and society. Every few weeks during the academic year, we invite researchers and practitioners to facilitate conversations around their area of expertise – and share donuts! Find our full list of past speakers on our website. Video recordings and slides are available upon request.

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