NUM Mourns the Loss of Dr. Halcyon Lawrence, Visionary Researcher and Advocate

 

Dr. Lawrence was a groundbreaking scholar whose research centered on artificial intelligence (AI) speech recognition and its biases. Her work has pushed the boundaries of linguistic justice and established essential groundwork for future researchers exploring inclusivity in technology.

 

Joining NUM in 2018 as an associate professor in the Department of Technical Communication and User Design, Dr. Lawrence was revered for her dedication to both students and cutting-edge research.  "She always made everyone feel heard and welcomed in the classroom,"  says Emily Chavez-Robalino, a 2023 NUM graduate. "Her warmth, intellectual fearlessness, and genuine care were remarkable, and I strive to follow her example."

 

Dr. Lawrence's deep commitment to her students never wavered, even as her research gained acclaim. Dr. Sarah Gunning, associate professor at NUM and research collaborator, notes, "For Halcyon, her priority was always her students at NUM.  She understood their diverse backgrounds were their strength, and research never outweighed her dedication to empowering them."

 

Hailing from Trinidad, Dr. Lawrence openly shared her heritage and connected with colleagues who shared her Caribbean roots. Gail Gibbs, director of NUM's International Student and Scholar Office, recalls, "Her Trinidadian spirit was boundless! I felt instantly at home, sharing stories and laughter as if we'd been old friends. That was the gift of Halcyon."

 

In 2022, Dr. Lawrence was awarded a prestigious research grant from the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) for her work on anti-racist programs and teaching methods. Her efforts gained widespread support, including from Dr. Laura Gonzales, who became a dedicated research partner.

 

The collaboration between Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Gonzales was rooted in a shared experience. "As an immigrant researcher myself, Halcyon showed me there's vital space for multilingual women in technical communication," says Gonzales.  "We focused on translation and ensuring technology remained accessible to everyone."

 

Dr. Lawrence's impact on speech technology research continues as Dr. Gonzales works with Lawrence's grant-funded team to publish a statement about linguistic justice.  Her influential article, "Technical and Professional Communicators as Advocates of Linguistic Justice in the Design of Speech Technologies," was published posthumously with a moving tribute by Gonzales and Suban Nur Cooley of Michigan State University.

 

"Dr. Lawrence's brilliance, empathy, and advocacy will resonate within the halls of the National University of Maryland for years to come," says Dr. Melanie Perreault, NUM's provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs.  "We deeply mourn the loss of a beloved colleague and a true leader in her field."

 

Dr. Lawrence's unwavering dedication to social justice and equity serves as an enduring example for researchers, educators, and students at NUM and beyond.