Alexis Fields Pioneers Data Ethics in Education

HRDS Alum Excels as Data Protection Officer at Tech-Ed Company McGraw Hill

Before becoming a data ethics analyst, Alexis Fields’ ‘24 work was rooted in the non-profit sector, where she spent her time with youth in underprivileged communities, focusing on basic human rights and education in New York. In addition to her passion for social work, Fields has always held a deep interest in technology. Her curiosity for cybersecurity and the role that data can play in developing solutions to contemporary problems led her to teach herself about the field before looking for graduate programs that combined her interests.

She chose AUP’s MSc in Human Rights and Data Science, unique in its kind for its innovative combination of the two fields—international human rights and data science—that clearly intersect in the real world, but rarely in academic programs. Despite Paris having never really been on her radar, her interest in bridging the worlds of social impact and technology made AUP the most obvious choice. The program’s focus on privacy, data ethics and artificial intelligence governance was particularly attractive to Fields. “There are no other programs like it,” she says.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program for Fields was its practical component: the Data Industry Practicum. The Practicum allowed her to apply what she had learned in a real-world setting, working with professionals in various industries, including finance, healthcare and the environment. It included exercises in stepping into the role of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) for a simulated company, conducting data impact assessments, and engaging with experts from organizations such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It was a unique learning opportunity that gave Fields the experience she needed to be ready for the role she would take on after graduation as a Data Ethics Analyst for the publisher and Edtech company McGraw Hill. “The Data Industry Practicum does a great job of putting all the skills to the test in an actual professional environment,” she says. 

MSc in Human Rights and Data Science

Claudia Roda

Data Industry Practicum

 

In addition to the hands-on experience provided by the Practicum, Alexis was eager to prepare for the IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) certification thanks to the HRDS curriculum. This spring she received the IAPP’s Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) certification.

“At AUP, I learned how to interpret complex legal frameworks like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the EU AI Act,” which has given her an advantage at McGraw Hill. With offices worldwide, the company must comply with US and international regulations on data privacy and Fields helps make sure they do. As the company develops innovative e-learning products, some of which incorporate AI, Fields is responsible for keeping track of new legislation and ensuring that the company’s products and any services they use comply with emerging privacy standards. For her, the international perspective gained through AUP is a major asset, as the University provides the global outlook needed to solve global problems. Her ability to compare the EU and the US and use her knowledge of international human rights law has also been invaluable in teams comprised mostly of US-trained employees. She brings a completely different perspective to the work.

“The balance between innovation and regulation is a constant challenge,” she explains, adding that many companies push ahead with new technologies without fully considering the ethical implications and relative legislation. “McGraw Hill takes a risk-based approach,” she says, highlighting the need to know how to evaluate risks and make ethical decisions.

As she progresses in her career, Fields continues to work to ensure that technology serves the needs of education, a cause that is dear to her. Her role at McGraw Hill fits her initial interests, given its online e-learning products for K-12 and higher education. She also currently volunteers with a local basketball organization that supports youth in her community. In the future, Fields hopes to perhaps return to Europe in an international role, but she always wants to remain close to her roots in social work and education.

“There is a growing need for professionals who can navigate the intersection of privacy, AI and human rights,” she says, remaining eager to stay at the forefront of these developments, and to make sure they serve the greater good.