Valerie Viard is a researcher and writer born to Haitian parents in Queens, NY. Currently enrolled in Hunter College's Digital Sociology master's program, her research focuses on the ways in which Black people engage with and are influenced by the ever-evolving landscape of the internet and emerging technologies. To support her thesis, she conducted research that explores the profound effects of social media on the perceptions of relationships among Black people.
This work culminated in the publication of an essay called, “is this love real?”, accompanied by an engaging podcast. In her essay, she coined the term 'digital tie signs,' a concept she coined to blend the ideas of Erving Goffman's tie signs with the realm of digital love, shedding light on the complex dynamics of modern relationships.
In the summer of 2022, she worked with the Crypto Research and Design Lab, where she explored Black individuals' experiences within the evolving landscape of Web 3. The research explored issues of financial inclusion, the engagement of marginalized communities with new technologies, and the policy and social implications of the adoption and scaling of emerging technologies. She has presented this research to the staff of the CFTC, and the research has been cited in Congressional testimony and by Harvard and Columbia doctoral students. Her contributions to this field are pivotal in understanding the intersection of race and technology in the crypto space.
Her dedication to understanding and illuminating the intricate relationships between Black culture, emerging technologies, and her work stands as a testament to the power of research and storytelling in driving meaningful conversations about the digital age we inhabit. Currently, Valerie is channeling her energy and creativity into writing and directing her first documentary.
