University of Michigan School of Information

Christopher Quarles
Biography
My work examines the relationship between technology and inequality. Humans are more informationally connected than any other time in history. While this has definite benefits, it also affects who our friends are, the things that we think about most, and even what we perceive is truth. My focus is on how this technology affects inequality, the transfer of human capital, and how we organize & group ourselves.
I am a PhD candidate at UMSI, a researcher at the Center for Ethics, Society & Computing, and an affiliate of the Stone Center for Inequality Dynamics. Previously, I was a community college math professor and change-maker. So I also know a lot about education, statistics, and change in institutions/social systems. I use quantitative and qualitative research methods, combined with solid, practical theory. I tend to look at the world with an eye towards inequality and what happens at the system level. As humans, we're drawn to simple stories, but the reality is almost always much more complex. Good decisions and policy require a focus on the big picture, rather than always chasing the latest social media controversy.
Areas of Interest
Technology & inequality
Social mobility
Social self-organization
Complex systems
Language & behavior
Education
Education
Master of Science - Mathematics, University of Washington
Bachelor of Science - Physics, University of Illinois