Talks & Panels

Formal Academic Presentations

1. 2026

   Benson, E. “The Development of Black Social Impact Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age.” October 14, 2026. International Sociological Association, RC36 Alienation Theory and Research. October 14–16, 2026. Virtual Conference.

2. 2026

   Monier, M., Benson, E., Sayler, J., Banks, J. “Love Unseen: Measuring Young Adults’ Self-Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Desirability in Dating Contexts.” Bowman Center Graduate Research Showcase. April 2, 2026. Michigan League, Ann Arbor, MI.

3. 2026

   Williams, A., Brathwaite, K., Banks, J., Benson, E., Monier, M., Sayler, J., Paredes, G. “Needs Translation: Advocating for Marginalized Communities in Tech Design.” Invited Panelist and Presenter. Selected from abstracts. Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, 59th Annual Meeting. January 6–9, 2026. Lahaina, Hawaii.

4. 2025

   Benson, E. “Delivering Change to the Motor City? Usage Patterns and Affective Experiences of Online Grocery and Meal Delivery in Detroit, Michigan.” Poster Presentation. Selected from abstracts. Population Association of America. April 10–13, 2025. Washington, D.C.

5. 2025

   Mel, M., Banks, J., Sayler, J., Benson, E., Brathwaite, K., Williams, A. “‘It’s giving fast food:’ Black women’s perceptions of Dating App Platforms and Algorithms.” Black Graduate Research Studies Conference. March 22, 2025. Ann Arbor, MI.

6. 2024

   Easter, M., Benson, E., Piazza, G., Davis, J., Hooker, J. “Making It: Per$pectives on the Business of Creativity.” Invited Panelist. Ross Impact Studio. December 5, 2024. Jeff T. Blau Hall, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI.

   Event page
7. 2024

   Benson, E. “Driving Change in the Motor City? Usage Patterns and Affective Experiences in Online Grocery and Meal Delivery in the City of Detroit, MI.” Oral Presentation. Selected from abstracts. Detroit Food Policy Council. September 26–27, 2024. Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.

8. 2024

   Benson, E. “Black Creatives in the Platform Gig Economy.” Poster Presentation. Selected from abstracts. Population Association of America. April 17–20, 2024. Columbus, OH.

9. 2024

   Benson, E. “Catharsis, Community, and Craft: How Black Creatives Make Meaning of Online Community-building in the Platform Economy.” Oral Presentation. Invited Talk. 2024 Bowman Center Graduate Research Showcase. April 2, 2024. Ann Arbor, MI.

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10. 2024

    Benson, E. “Catharsis, Community, and Craft: How Black Creatives Make Meaning of Online Community-building in the Platform Economy.” Oral Presentation. Selected from abstracts. Black Graduate Student Association Research Symposium. March 23, 2024. Ann Arbor, MI.

11. 2023

    Hudgins, K., Benson, E., Simington, J. “Crafting Democratic Futures: Understanding Political Conditions and Racialized Attitudes towards Black Reparations in the US.” Invited Oral Presentation. Russell Sage Foundation. April 21, 2023. New York, NY.

12. 2022

    Benson, E. “Entrepreneurship and Perceived Economic Uncertainty in Detroit during COVID-19.” Oral Presentation. Selected from abstracts. Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Fall Research Conference. November 17–19, 2022. Washington, D.C.

1. 2026

   Benson, E., Lacy, K., Waller-Bey, A., Young, A. “Developing a career vision, public engagement, and building a public profile.” Invited Panelist. Black Sociologist Mentorship Collective. April 13, 2026. Ann Arbor, MI.

2. 2025

   Halegoua, G., Abrons, E., Bui, M., Benson, E. “Harness: Reparative AI + Futures.” Invited Panelist. Digital Studies Institute, Digital IDEAS Summer Institute. June 26, 2025. Ann Arbor, MI.

1. 2024

   Benson, E. “Get the Voter 411.” MountUp! For Social Justice Series. Podcast Invited Speaker. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. October 17, 2024. Detroit, MI.

2. 2024

   Benson, E. “Technology, Food Access, and Reparation: Why Public Attitudes Matter.” Detroit Promise Program. August 21, 2024. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

3. 2024

   Benson, E. “Voting in the Michigan Primaries.” MountUp! For Social Justice Series. Organizer & Presenter. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. February 26, 2024. Detroit, MI.

4. 2021

   Benson, E. “Building Financial Knowledge and Equity Across Generations.” MountUp! For Social Justice Series. Organizer & Presenter. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. April 19, 2021. Detroit, MI.