Reading Circle- More than a Glitch
**See full reading schedule below**
60 minute discussions over two months, moderated by John Alberts, Learning Advocate
Cost: FREE for all member types, register to join the Open Circle (FREE) for invites.
Reading Circle- More than a Glitch
Join our next book club exploring More Than a Glitch- Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech by Meredith Broussard. Broussard, a data scientist and one of the few Black female researchers in artificial intelligence.
This book challenges the idea that technology is neutral by showing how bias is often embedded in data, systems, and design decisions from the start. Broussard argues that what we often call “glitches” are not isolated errors but signals of deeper structural problems in how technology is built and deployed.
The book offers a clear, practical lens for understanding how inequality can be reproduced and even amplified through AI and automated systems. It encourages us to look beyond surface-level issues and examine the human choices, assumptions, and power structures that shape outcomes.
As part of this discussion, we will reflect on how these ideas apply to our own work. Where might hidden assumptions be influencing the services we design? What “backstage” decisions are shaping user experiences in ways we do not always see? And where do disconnects in our systems lead not just to friction, but to real harm?
Why this matters:
This matters because designing responsible services requires more than good intentions. It requires awareness, accountability, and the ability to trace how decisions made upstream affect people downstream. This session is an opportunity to connect those dots and think more critically about the systems we help create.
Join us for a thoughtful, practical conversation about how we can design more responsibly in a world shaped by data and AI.
Feel free to join as many Reading Circles as possible (you don’t have to attend all of them to participate).
Reading schedule
| Date | Chapters | |
| 12th May
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 1 | Introduction Chapter 2 | Understanding Machine Bias |
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| 26th May
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 3 | Recognizing Bias in Facial Recognition Chapter 4 | Machine Fairness and the Justice System |
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| 9th June
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 5 | Real Students, Imaginary Grades Chapter 6 | Ability and Technology |
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| 23rd June
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 7 | Gender Rights and Databases Chapter 8 | Diagnosing Racism
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| 7th July
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 9 | An AI Told Me I Had Cancer Chapter 10 | Creating Public Interest Technology
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| 21st July
11:00 EST/16:00 GMT (UK) |
Chapter 11 | Potential Reboot |
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Why join the UXIC Reading Circle book club?
- Stay accountable with a like-minded group with a doable regular reading schedule.
- Expand your perspectives with small group discussions comparing new ideas and understandings.
- Build personal and professional development skills while being intellectually engaged.
Currently FREE and a small group, learn, discuss, share, and, on occasion, get a chance to ask the author directly…
How it works: You buy the book, read set chapters, and meet every two weeks to discuss (moderated by John Alberts, Learning Advocate).
| Date: | 26 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 08:00 am PST 11:00 am EST 05:00 pm BST 05:00 pm CET |
| Check Your Timezone | |
Who You will Learn From
Frank Spillers
Founder - UX Inner Circle
Frank Spillers, MS, founded the UX Inner Circle in 2020 to support senior practitioners facing complex challenges. The community exists to sharpen thinking, increase your confidence, and pressure-test real decisions. It’s built for people doing the work, not just talking about it. Frank founded an award-winning UX and Service Design consultancy (Experience Dynamics) and now leads UX and Service Design at numerous organisations, including the UK Government Digital Service. He has worked with and led teams to deliver hundreds of products and services over several decades. His work spans government, enterprise platforms, nonprofits, and global brands. He brings 25+ years as a senior UX and Service Design leader. His focus areas include Inclusive Design, accessibility, emotion-led design, cross-cultural UX, VR/AR, and UX leadership. His work has directly increased conversion by 88% and revenue by 300% for organizations including Nike, Microsoft, Intel, Capital One, Global Disability Rights Now!, the World Bank, and the City of New York.
