Mary & Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice 2025

2025 Winner:  Chad M. Topaz

The AWM presented the second AWM Mary and Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice to Chad M. Topaz, Professor of Complex Systems at Williams College and co-founder of the Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (QSIDE) at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Seattle, WA in January 2025. 

Citation 

The AWM recognizes Chad M. Topaz for courageous and innovative research-to-action work that vigorously and imaginatively brings the methods of mathematics and data science to bear on social justice challenges in the legal system, education, arts and media, and other fields, shedding new light on systemic injustice and its consequences. His collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research and energetic mentorship and leadership have profoundly shaped the mathematical community’s capacity to bring clarity, vision, and creativity to the cause of justice in our society.

Across an impressive range of published work for academic, non-academic specialist, and public audiences, Topaz has proven the power of mathematical methods including data analysis and modeling to give critical insight into systemic problems. These analyses have spurred not just appreciation of these problems but necessary debate and action in high-stakes fields such as criminal justice and bail reform, community violence intervention, and public education. With the QSIDE Institute, incorporated in 2019, Topaz has partnered with numerous scholarly, advocacy, and community organizations to mobilize the power of mathematics for their projects, rooted in deep engagement with the communities they serve.

Topaz’s inclusive and collaborative approach involves ambitious commitments to mentorship, capacity-building, and field-leading practices of accessible, ethical, and impactful scholarship. In so doing, Topaz has profoundly contributed to the mathematics community while shaping its capacity to intervene in the world beyond. 

Response from Chad M. Topaz

I am so grateful to the AWM for this honor. Receiving the Mary and Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice is profoundly humbling, especially given the distinguished legacy of the Grays and their tireless commitment to justice within and beyond the field of mathematics.

My journey in mathematics has always been driven by a desire to harness the power of quantitative methods to create a better world. This work is built upon the contributions and support of a vast network of colleagues, mentors, and most importantly, the communities I aim to work alongside. I am deeply grateful to the QSIDE Institute and our many partners who have shared their insights, stories, and expertise.

Justice is a collective endeavor. It requires the dedication and courage of many to confront and dismantle systemic inequalities. This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling the complex issues we face today. It is also a reminder of the work that lies ahead. There is much more to do, and I am committed to continuing this journey alongside so many inspiring advocates and allies.

Thank you again to the AWM for recognizing the importance of this work and for supporting the integration of mathematics with social justice. This recognition fuels the mathematics community’s growing resolve to harness our skills in service of building a more equitable world.