Research Topics
Indigenous Information Science and Science & Technology Studies, Critical Data Studies, Applied Data Science, Environmental Data Justice, Equity & Technology
Current projects
Computing Along the Two Row (Dissertation Topic)
- Utilizing the Tekani Teioháte (Two Row Wampum) as a mechanism to evaluate both oppressive and liberating Indigenous computational power relations
Sovereign Servers (Oct. 2024 – Present)
- Prototyping low-cost data servers that support the technological infrastructural needs of the Longhouse People
- Operationalizing clan-based iterative design methods to for community co-creation and design
Machine Learning Tools for Land Defenders and Frontline Activists (July 2024 – Present)
- Developing technologies for industrial counter-surveillance and accountability
Reclaiming Akwesasne’s Datastory (Oct. 2023 – Present)
- Developing a comprehensive information repository that stories our community’s socio-political and environmental data history
- Engaging in anti-colonial methodologies for information acquisition, translation and dissemination
- Supported by Cornell Atkinson Sustainability Grant
Click here for more information on current projects and past research…
Articles & Publications
Marina Zafiris et al., “Computing Along the Tow Row- an Haudenosaunee Data Manifesto,” Tentative
Marina Zafiris et al., “From Citizen Science to Redistributive Computing: New Repertoires of Contention for Community Resistance to Bitcoin Mining in New York,” Tentative
Marina Zafiris, “Akwesasne and the History of Hydropower,” Science for the People Magazine, March 9 2024, https://magazine.scienceforthepeople.org/online/akwesasne-and-the-history-of-hydropower/
Marina Zafiris et al, Crypto-Minding: Post-industrial Data-Activism, Oct. 2023-Nov. 2023, xCenter, Nova Gorica, SL https://www.xcenter.si/dogodki/dogodek/?id=1892
Samuel Fernandes et al., “Thermal anomaly and rooftop unit (RTU) detection in buildings through machine learning”, Proc. SPIE 12269, Remote Sensing Technologies and Applications in Urban Environments VII, 1226909 (26 October 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2644396
Imane Lahmam Bennani et al., “Query Relaxation for Portable Brick-Based Applications,” in Proceedings of the 8th ACM International Conference on Systems for Energy-Efficient Buildings, Cities, and Transportation, BuildSys ’21 (New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2021), 150–59, https://doi.org/10.1145/3486611.3486671.
Speaking
Invited Panel Speaker “Responsible and Responsive Indigenous Design Methodologies and Techniques”
Indigenous Computational Futures Winter Workshop
January 2025 – Virtual
Invited Panel Speaker “Good Relations: Consent, Reciprocity and Ethics in Indigenous-led Research“
Research for the Front Lines
April 2024 – Montreal, CA
Research Presentation, “Reclaiming Akwesasne’s Pollution Data“
US Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance Summit
April 2024 – Tuscon, AZ
Invited Panel Speaker, “Deconstructing Ownership“
Talking Rivers- We Are All This Together Symposium
April 2024 – Virtual
Invited Speaker
Black & Indigenous Theories of Change in Research Pre-conference, Native American and Indigenous Studies Association conference
May 2023 – Toronto, ON
Research Presentation, “Computing Along the Two Row”
Indigenous Computing Conference
April 2023 – Ithaca, NY
Invited Speaker
Defend Atlanta Forest Teach-in
April 2023 – Ithaca, NY
Invited Speaker
Land Back Tribal Summit
April 2023 – Ithaca, NY
Research Presentation, “Beg Permission or Ask Forgiveness? Making Technologies Without Consent of the Governors”
Co-Construction of Data and Communities as Forms of Life III panel, 4S Conference
Dec 2022 – Cholula, MX
Research Presentation, “Cracking, Packing & Hijacking: Applying Machine Learning Tactics & Promoting Transparent Practices For Fair Political Maps”
Transparency and Algorithmic Governance panel, 4S Conference
Oct 2021 – Virtual
Awards
David A. Call Achievement Award
May 2023, Awarded by American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
Honorable Mention for the Ford Fellowship Award
March 2023, Awarded by Ford Foundation
Dean’s Academic Fellowship
August 2021, Awarded by Cornell University
Teaching
Designing Technology for Social Impact (INFO 4240)
Fall 2022, Cornell University
Introduction to Data Science (INFO 2950)
Spring 2023, Cornell University
Education
Kanien’kéha Language Immersion Student, Ratiwennahnírats at Kahnawà:ke Kanien’keháka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center, Sept 2024 – May 2026 (Tentative)
Information Science PhD Student, Cornell University, Aug 2021 – May 2027 (Tentative)
PhD Minors: American Indian & Indigenous Studies (AIIS)
GPA: 4.0
Data Science B.S. University of Houston- Downtown (UHD), Degree Earned: Dec 2020
Minors: Mathematics and Statistics, Domain Focus: Sustainability
Graduated Summa Cum Laude GPA: 3.9
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