Life & Work with Ted Vial

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ted Vial.

Hi Ted, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The Iliff School of Theology, founded in 1892, is a graduate theological school. Iliff has long been committed to creating a more just, inclusive, and diverse world through its degree programs and partnerships.

This work is grounded in a wide range of perspectives and experiences: 47% of its full-time faculty identify as female, 47% identify as Global Majority, and over a third of its students identify as LGBTQ+. Its faculty, student body, and staff are multi-faith, representing more than 30 faith traditions; 30% of students do not identify with a religious tradition.

The environment of higher education and religious communities is rapidly evolving. Graduate schools have faced a steady decline in applications for several years as churches and religious communities have witnessed a parallel and more precipitous decrease in membership.

The Iliff Innovation Lab: Iliff anticipated many of these radical changes. Starting in the fall of 2018, Iliff undertook a structured process of deep reflection on how the expertise of its faculty might expand the impact of its work and research for the broader public.

This inclusive process—including a self-assessment of expertise, research, and other resources, and stakeholder interviews across different fields—led to the launch of the Iliff Innovation Lab. Currently, the Innovation Lab supports applied research projects in ethical implementation of artificial intelligence; diversity, equity, and inclusion; ecojustice and spirituality; and religious narratives that drive politics.

Three of these projects are up and running, and we are building more.

1. We help companies considering the purchase of tools using artificial intelligence to ascertain if the AI models align with their values. For example, WellPower is aware that tools that use natural language processing can both multiply their capacity to provide care and could be biased in ways that would harm their clients.

With our technical expertise and long commitment to analyzing the causes and effects of social injustice, we have helped them vet 5 tech startups in the behavioral health sphere, and guide them towards buying some of the tools and rejecting others.

2. Our team of DEI facilitators is undertaking a year-long engagement with the Institute of Water Resources (part of the US Army Corps of Engineers) to advise and train them to make strategic culture changes in their organization.

3. Our Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture convenes state legislators from across the country to help them understand and to provide them with messaging about religious freedom, which recently has been co-opted as a cover for religious justifications for bigotry.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth at all!

It is harder than we knew when we started to translate academic research and expertise into forms that are accessible and practical for non-academic organizations; facilitating workshops is very different than teaching classes; academic and start-up cultures are very different cultures.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for research and publications in 19th-century German philosophy, and for applying it to contemporary social issues (nationalism, racism, constructions of gender). I have always understood the value of seemingly esoteric academics in giving deep understanding and solutions to our contemporary issues, and I am good at translating this research for non-specialists.

I believe deeply in the importance of liberal arts for a well-functioning society and for enriching personal experiences that give life depth. I am proud to see that the things of value that the liberal arts, which have been located largely in college and graduate school settings, can and must pivot to be more accessible and sustainable in a world in which people increasingly cannot afford or don’t see that value proposition of traditional degrees. Also, I’m getting good at SalesForce.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’m an introvert. What has worked best for me is sticking with things that are fascinating to me, meeting and working with one or two other people with similar interests, and hanging out with them so I can learn more, and eventually, I get to know the people they know.

Everything good that has happened to me professionally has been the result of small conferences and workshops where I was able to connect with people.

Pricing:

• DEI workshops, both on topics (race, gender, neurodiversity) are $3,500 per 90-minute engagement and $9,000 for 3 engagements.
• TRUST AI consulting is roughly $50,000 per review, with steeply discounted nonprofit pricing.
• Consulting on organizational effectiveness, employee alignment, and religious factors in contemporary politics, is hourly–$200 per hour.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Iliff_innovationlab
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089107642669&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: @IliffInnovationLab
• Website: Iliff.edu/dei, https://ai.iliff.edu, https://www.iliff.edu/religion-politics/

Image Credits
Ken Fricklas