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Mar Hicks

Associate Professor of Data Science, University of Virginia
Hicks does research on the history of computing, labor, technology, and queer science and technology studies. Their work studies how collective understandings of progress are defined by competing discourses of social value and economic productivity, and how technologies often hide regressive ideals while espousing "revolutionary" or "disruptive" goals. Their research investigates everything from how power and AI intersect, to the long history of transphobic algorithmic bias, to the connections between gender and technological change.

Hicks’s current work focuses on how gender and sexuality bring hidden technological dynamics to light, and how the experiences of women and LGBTQIA people change the core narratives of the history of computing in unexpected ways. They are currently working on a book about the gendered nature of digital infrastructure and the intersections between queerness and resistance in the history of digital computing. Hicks's multiple award-winning first book, Programmed Inequality (MIT Press, 2017), looks at how the British lost their early lead in computing by discarding women computer workers, and what this cautionary tale can tell us about current issues in high tech. Hicks is also co-editor of the book Your Computer Is On Fire (MIT Press, 2021), a volume of essays about how we can begin to fix our broken high tech infrastructures.

Before joining UVA, Hicks was Associate Professor of History of Technology at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and was a fellow at the National Humanities Center in 2018-2019. Hicks holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Duke University in History, and a B.A. in History from Harvard. More information about their work can be found at: marhicks.com.

Economy

New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices

A dangerous outbreak of the New World Screwworm has moved closer to the United States, raising serious concerns for the livestock industry and agricultural economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),...

Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge

Iran has rejected suggestions that a final agreement has been reached with the United States, emphasizing that negotiations surrounding its nuclear program remain ongoing. The statement came after comments from U.S....

US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns

The United States has initiated a new trade investigation into Vietnams handling of intellectual property (IP) rights, a move that could eventually lead to additional tariffs on Vietnamese imports. The investigation,...

US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook

The U.S. dollar weakened slightly on Friday as investor confidence improved following comments from President Donald Trump regarding a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The prospect of easing...

Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision

Oil prices moved lower on Friday as investors closely monitored developments surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement. Market sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would meet with...

Politics

US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay

A rare high-level military meeting between the United States and Cuba took place at the perimeter of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, marking a significant development in U.S.-Cuba relations amid growing...

Trump Nears Decision on Iran Ceasefire Extension as Key Disputes Remain

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is close to making a final decision on a proposed agreement to extend the current ceasefire with Iran, although major disagreements between Washington and Tehran continue to...

Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition

Poland is considering revoking one of its highest state honors awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a controversial decision by Ukraine to rename a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA),...

Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Federal Lands in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday aimed at removing restrictions that limit access to federal lands across the United States, according to a statement from the White House. The move is part of...

UN Blacklists Israel and Russia Over Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Claims

The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to its official blacklist of parties suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence, a decision that has sparked strong international reactions and intensified...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

Technology

Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements

A Kentucky school district has secured nearly $27 million in settlements from major social media companies over allegations that their platforms contributed to a growing student mental health crisis. The financial details,...

MongoDB Q1 FY2027 Earnings Beat Expectations, Raises Full-Year Outlook

MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB) delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, fueled by growing demand for its database platform among enterprises and organizations developing artificial intelligence...

SpaceX IPO Could Become Largest in History with $1.8 Trillion Valuation Target

Elon Musks SpaceX is reportedly moving forward with plans for a historic initial public offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion. According to a Bloomberg News report citing sources familiar with the...

Autodesk Beats Q1 Estimates, Acquires MaintainX for $3.6 Billion

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) reported stronger-than-expected financial results for its fiscal first quarter and announced a major $3.6 billion acquisition of MaintainX, a move that strengthens its position in AI-powered...

US Quantum Stocks Surge After $2 Billion Government Investment

The U.S. Department of Commerce has sparked major excitement across the technology and financial sectors after announcing plans to invest $2 billion into quantum computing and advanced hardware companies through the CHIPS...