Bridging the Generational and Digital Divide with Dia Ghosh
In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, host David Crowley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh, the founder of Joint Family, a social initiative aimed at bridging generational gaps to address pressing social issues.
Dia explains the core principles of Joint Family, which include community engagement, collaborative learning, civic deliberation, and collective action. Through programs that unite diverse age groups, Joint Family facilitates discussions about technology to empower participants to develop impactful solutions for local challenges, such as mental health, climate preparedness, and social isolation.
Dia shares her unique journey from being a computational biologist at the Broad Institute to launching Joint Family, inspired by her upbringing and experiences during the pandemic. She highlights the initiative’s focus on fostering intergenerational connections, particularly through workshops that encourage thoughtful discussions on technology’s societal impact. Dia emphasizes the importance of creating trust and community resilience in the digital age, and she provides insights into the positive feedback and evolving perspectives from participants in Joint Family’s programs.
The episode also includes a preview of an upcoming workshop on AI and mental health on May 29, co-hosted with the Leaders for an Equitable Tomorrow program operated by SCI and the Network for Social Justice.
Listen to episodes here on our website or on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!
About the Guest
Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh
Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh is an interdisciplinary scientist, a Women Techmakers Ambassador and the founder of Joint Family – a social initiative seeking to bridge the generational and digital divide. With a background in computational biology and over 10 years of work experience in academia and research, Dia along with the Joint Family team is dedicated to building an innovative, data driven and inclusive platform that unites and empowers individuals across generations.
Resources
You, Me & AI – multigenerational conversation event on May 29th at Woburn Public Library
Notable books on AI and society
Notable podcasts on social connection
House Calls (US Surgeon General’s Office)
More on why connections across the generations is so important: NY Times article
This episode was produced by Leah Mulrenan and David Crowley.
About SCI Social Capital Inc.
Our story at SCI centers on strengthening communities by intentionally cultivating connections through inclusive community programs, partnerships, and leadership development.
In June of 2002, SCI was founded by David Crowley. Returning to his hometown of Woburn, he created an organization focused on bringing people together. For two decades, we have taken action, big and small, to respond to what our community needs, in our hometown, and beyond.
The concept of social capital is about the importance of our social networks, and the value of the trust in relationships and communities. SCI addresses the need to increase the social capital of a community and the individuals in it.
SCI’s mission is to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives.
Coming Soon! (editing for technology’s mistakes!)
