Staff Profiles

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Margot Browning
Associate Director, Franke Institute for the Humanities
Lecturer, Humanities Collegiate Division

What do you like most about your job?

I like the diversity of it. First of all, it is the many departments in the Humanities Division, and the widely ranging specializations in each department, like a continuously moving kaleidoscope of ideas and activities. And second, I enjoy the diversity of projects at the Franke Institute—from the Franke Fellows and Grants to Every Wednesday to the Bulletin to the website. At the core of these projects is providing arenas—in person or online—where people and ideas mix.

What was the last good book you read?

The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values by Brian Christian, who's a computer scientist as well as a poet and philosopher. Christian interviewed dozens of current AI researchers who have developed new AI capabilities—and then find themselves trying to solve unanticipated problems that emerge. For example, it turns out that the datasets that are used to train AIs are biased, so the AI outputs are biased too—reflecting the racism and sexism of our human world. How can we define and communicate human values, so that machine learners are aligned in their problem-solving to novel outcomes that are truly beneficial?

You might work with me if...

Your department has a faculty member or graduate student awarded a Franke Fellowship, or they're developing a proposal for a Franke grant, or they've received a Franke grant. Or about a course in the Big Problems capstone curriculum (a collaboration between the Franke Institute and the College), we might exchange information for the Registrar or the College catalog.

What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

What do you like most about your job?

I love that I get to work for a university that represents my hometown. I can interact with fellow Chicagoans and a global community within the university campus. Seeing and interacting with a diverse population and various cultures is an amazing experience. I lived overseas in a homogenous country for almost a decade, so I appreciate the diversity here at UChicago. It is food for the mind and soul.

What was the last good book you read?

I read NPR's Podcast Start-Up Guide by Glen Weldon because I started a podcast for my department and needed to learn the basics. It was very informative. Normally, I love reading self-development and psychology books. I also love reading books on how various races and ethnicities have developed their cultures and communication as this relates to my job.

You might work with me if …

You are part of the Division of the Humanities and are referring international students who have learned English as a Second Language (ESL) to my office, the English Language Institute (ELI). Or maybe you need help with ESL or pedagogy support for your international students. You could also just stop by our office to say hello. We love meeting people at the ELI.

What was the most memorable class you took as a student, and what made it stand out for you?

I took a reconciliation and forgiveness class while studying global religions during my second year in graduate school. I learned so many people have complex relationships and pasts where they have been hurt and don't know how to heal. As a society, we don't have the tools for dealing with conflict and interpersonal relationships while consistently creating conflict or finding ourselves in it. People are stressed and confused.  I think nationally, we need to revisit concepts such as mental health, diplomacy, empathy, service, kindness, love, and conflict resolution. It's time to get back to the basics.