Alondra Nelson Wins 2023 Champions of Freedom Award

Alondra Nelson, Harold F. Linder Professor in the School of Social Science, has won a 2023 Champions of Freedom Award from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) for her work safeguarding privacy, open government, and democratic values. 

Nelson, one of three winners of this year’s award, recently concluded her term in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she was first Principal Deputy Director for Science and Society at OSTP, before being appointed to perform the duties of director of the OSTP and as Deputy Assistant to the President. 

EPIC cites the OSTP’s creation of the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights” as an example of her protection of civil rights in the digital age.

At IAS, Nelson brings an interdisciplinary and innovative approach to her studies of the social sciences––in particular, the intersection of racial formation and social citizenship, and scientific and technological phenomena

“We’re thrilled to be honoring Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Alondra Nelson, and Holly Jacobs this year,” says EPIC Executive Director Alan Butler. “These leaders are all doing amazing work to help shape a better future where privacy and civil rights are protected online.”

Founded in 1994, EPIC is a public interest research center established to protect democratic values in the information age through advocacy, research, and litigation.

Nelson will be officially given the award on September 20 during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.