ICFJ Webinar: Threads for Journalists, Mathematics Solutions for Crises

Event Date: 
July 13, 2023

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Pamela Howard Forum on Global Crisis Reporting's next webinar, Threads for Journalists, Mathematics Solutions for Crises, is the second in our mathematics reporting series.

Dr. África Periáñez, a distinguished mathematician and AI entrepreneur, will lead a session on how mathematics is helping solve global crises. But we will kick off with a discussion on what journalists need to know about, and how they can use Threads, the new app from Instagram that is taking the ecosystem by storm. Within its first 24 hours, it recorded over 30 million users, so it’s definitely worth talking about.

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive webinar where we will explore the remarkable role of mathematics in solving global crises. Join us as we delve into the innovative ways mathematical concepts are being applied to address pressing issues worldwide.

Dr. Periáñez is a distinguished mathematician and AI entrepreneur, dedicated to leveraging data and machine learning to bridge health inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. As the founder and CEO of benshi.ai and Causal Foundry, Dr. Periáñez leads the development of cutting-edge AI products that collect robust data and personalize clinical and behavioral interventions. Her work supports healthcare professionals and patients by providing tailored recommendations and incentives.

Prior to her current endeavors, Dr. Periáñez held the position of chief analytics officer at Inditex, the world's largest fashion retail group and parent company of Zara. In this role, she played a pivotal role in developing the AI and data strategy, contributing to the optimization of one of the world's fastest supply chain and distribution systems. Dr. Periáñez's diverse experiences also include founding Yokozuna Data, an AI firm in Tokyo focused on nudging and predicting individual video game player behavior.

Dr. Periáñez holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Reading and Master's degrees in string theory and theoretical physics from CERN and the Autonomous University of Madrid, respectively. Throughout her career, she has contributed to esteemed institutions such as CERN, RIKEN in Japan, and the German Weather Service.

Date: Thursday 13 July 2023 (and two more, on July 20 and 27).

Time: 10:30am EST; 3:30pm (BST)

Webinar Platform: Zoom and Facebook

During the webinar, Dr. Periáñez will discuss:

  • The role of mathematics in addressing global crises
  • Real-world applications of mathematics in healthcare and other sectors
  • How data and machine learning contribute to personalized interventions
  • Key insights from Dr. Periáñez's projects and experiences
  • Q&A session with Dr. Periáñez, allowing you to engage directly with the expert

Consider this webinar a must-attend event for journalists, reporters and anyone interested in understanding the transformative potential of mathematics in solving global crises. We look forward to your presence at this enlightening webinar and encourage you to share this invitation with your colleagues and peers who may also benefit from this invaluable opportunity. At the end of the mathematics reporting series, participants will receive certificates and be eligible for a USD500 story grant.

Register here.

These ongoing webinars are part of our ICFJ Pamela Howard Forum on Global Crisis Reporting launched in partnership with ICFJ’s International Journalists’ Network (IJNet). If you haven’t joined yet, please do so here. It’s the best way to stay connected.

Event Details