Biography

Sonia Gipson Rankin is a Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law where she teaches Torts, Family Law, and Technology and Law. Professor Gipson Rankin’s work combines her computer science background with her passion for legal justice. Her scholarship on artificial intelligence and technology was published in the Washington and Lee Law Review in 2021 and the New York University Law Review Online in 2023. She has also written on innovation in legal education, focusing on family law and race. This work has been published in the Connecticut Law Review, Journal of Law and Education, and Family Law Quarterly. She is deeply engaged in the legal community as an American Bar Foundation Fellow, member of the New Mexico Supreme Court Commission on Equity and Justice, and former president of the New Mexico Black Lawyers Association. Professor Gipson Rankin is also a member of the Interdisciplinary Working Group on Algorithmic Justice—a collaboration of computer scientists, legal scholars, and social scientists from New Mexico who provide insight to attorneys, judges, state and federal officials, and policymakers on issues related to artificial intelligence. She regularly presents on topics such as artificial intelligence, technology, algorithmic justice, criminal justice, family law, implicit bias, and inclusive leadership. Regarding these issues, Professor Gipson Rankin has been quoted in numerous media outlets, including BBC World News, National Public Radio, and Yahoo! Finance. Regarding these issues, Professor Gipson Rankin has been quoted in numerous media outlets, including BBC World News, Reuters, National Public Radio, and Yahoo! Finance.

Why Africana Studies

My desire to affiliate with the Africana Studies Department is deeply rooted in its relevance to my professional pursuits, especially my legal scholarship that advocates for the Black community. Guided by the principle of Sankofa, Africana Studies underscores the imperative of learning from the past to construct a more equitable future—an ethos that aligns seamlessly with the core tenets of my background in law and computer science. In my legal research, I advocate for justice and equity for the Black community, often leveraging historical context, legal precedent, and innovation as powerful tools in this effort. By affiliating with Africana Studies, I aim to contribute to the shared pursuit of justice, equity, and responsible technological advancement, bridging these fields for a more hopeful future.