Dr. Chandra Ward is an urban sociologist at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Director of Community Engagement for UTC's Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP). Her research background on marginalized populations in urban areas, urban development, and urban governance informs her current work on smart cities and smart mobility. As an urban sociologist, from multiple underrepresented communities, she's interested in anticipating and addressing issues oftentimes overlooked by smart city initiatives. She is interested in conducting research that answers the question "how do we leverage technology to create smart and truly connected cities?’ The perspective Dr. Ward brings is grounded in social science, centers on inclusivity and equity from research design to project deployment providing a more holistic framework in which to realize truly smart, livable cities for all.