Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦ Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦ Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦ Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦ Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦ Dr. Siobahn Day Grady ✦
Never Be Afraid To Dream Big
About
Dr. Siobahn Day Grady is an Associate Professor in the School of Library and Information Sciences at North Carolina Central University and the Founding Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER). In 2018, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University — a pioneering milestone that continues to shape her commitment to expanding opportunity and advancing innovation in computing and higher education.
As Founding Director of IAIER, Dr. Grady leads initiatives that connect artificial intelligence, digital education, and workforce readiness. IAIER's approach reflects her belief that emerging technologies should be accessible, human-centered, and responsive to the needs of all learners and communities.
Biography
Dr. Grady's research focuses on artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, algorithmic bias, and creating effective systems that meet the needs of all humanity. She applies machine learning to address real-world challenges — including misinformation, autonomous systems, and healthcare bias — and explores how public understanding of AI shapes its adoption and impact.
Within IAIER's first year, she secured national partnerships with major technology organizations, launched a campus-wide seed grant program, and hosted public engagement events that deepened trust, technical capacity, and institutional agility.
She serves as the Faculty Fellow Lead Partner for e-Learning Excellence at NCCU and holds multiple Quality Matters certifications, including Master Reviewer, Peer Reviewer, and Facilitator. She is widely recognized for her leadership in digital pedagogy, instructional design, and institutional change.
A dedicated advocate for student access and success, she has established six merit-based, STEM-focused endowed scholarships across every HBCU in the University of North Carolina System. She serves on several advisory boards, including the Winston-Salem State University Foundation and the National Girls Collaborative Project, and is a life member of both the NCCU and WSSU alumni associations.
Dr. Grady is an alumna of the AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador initiative, and her statue — originally part of the largest exhibit of women's statues in the U.S. — is now permanently housed at North Carolina A&T State University's College of Engineering. In 2025, she was inducted into the NC A&T Graduate College Hall of Fame.
She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter. With a leadership philosophy rooted in innovation, service, and strategic collaboration, Dr. Grady continues to build systems and institutions that prepare learners for a just, technologically empowered future.
Outside of her research, Dr. Grady is committed to expanding access to computing by volunteering her time to teach and mentor aspiring students. She believes in creating pathways into the field for future innovators — especially those who haven't always seen themselves reflected in tech spaces.
By showing up authentically and visibly as a leader in STEM, she hopes to help others realize they belong here too. IF/THEN® is part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies' commitment to fund game-changing advancements in science and nature, seeking to further advance women in STEM by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers.