Often quoted for her expertise on issues of algorithmic discrimination and technology bias, her work is seen both as sociological and interdisciplinary. She addresses the ways the digital technology  and A.I. intersects with issues around race, gender, culture, and power. She is an associate professor at UCLA, and the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry. She was recently appointed a Research Associate to the Oxford Internet Institute and is a Commissioner for the Oxford Commission on A.I. and Good Governance convened at the University of Oxford and holds appointments in African American Studies and Gender Studies.
 
She is the  recipient of a Hellman Fellowship and the UCLA Early Career Award, and her academic research focuses on the design of digital media and their impact on society. And Professor Noble is the author of a best-selling book on racist and sexist algorithmic bias in commercial search engines, entitled  Algorithms of  Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism.

With over 25 years of experience and a trained certified community professional, Tonya has dedicated much of her life to educating and empowering people to make transformational changes whether it is in their personal or professional life. She is an experienced community capacity builder, strategic planner, and leadership development consultant.   She has a Masters in Nonprofit Management Leadership, Dual B.S. in Psychology and Sociology. Her professional development includes being a Certified Community Health Worker and Master Trainer, Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow-belt and Experienced Advocate in Domestic Violence Assessment, Child and Adult Needs Assessments and Independent Life Skills Readiness Development.  

After spending time volunteering, mentoring and helping people navigate some of life’s most recent challenges, she began shifting and leading to create the necessary space so that everyday people can see themselves as change agents and find the courage and time to help build community better. Tonya has first-hand knowledge and experience on how to overcome challenges that impact and are creating some of the communities most difficult disparities & divides. And its these experiences that led her to begin the next journey and start Unique Family Connections.

Unique Family Connections mission is to empower and educate individuals & families whose lives have been impacted by health and life altering situations.

We are working to build a world wide community of people dedicated to improving access to resources and building healthier lives.