Mitigating Label Bias with Interpretable Rubric Embeddings

TL;DR

This paper introduces rubric embeddings, an interpretable representation framework that reduces label bias in decision algorithms by anchoring predictions to expert-defined criteria, demonstrated on a university admissions dataset.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel rubric embedding approach that replaces black-box embeddings with interpretable, domain-grounded features to mitigate bias in models trained on biased labels.

Findings

Rubric embeddings reduce group disparities in admissions predictions.

Models with rubric embeddings improve cohort quality measures.

Theoretical and empirical evidence supports bias mitigation.

Abstract

Statistical decision algorithms are increasingly deployed in domains where ground-truth labels are hard to obtain, such as hiring, university admissions, and content moderation. In these settings, models are typically trained on historical human evaluations -- for example, using past hiring decisions as a proxy for true applicant quality. However, if past evaluations unjustly favor certain groups, models trained on these labels may inherit those biases. To address this problem, we propose basing predictions on rubric embeddings, a representation framework that replaces standard black-box embeddings with features derived from expert-defined criteria that align with the underlying construct of interest. By anchoring predictions to semantically meaningful dimensions, this approach guards against biased proxy signals. We provide both theoretical and empirical evidence that rubric embeddings mitigate label bias under plausible conditions. Empirically, we evaluate our method on a novel dataset of applications to a large master's program. We find that models trained on rubric embeddings reduce group disparities while improving measures of cohort quality. Our results suggest that basing predictions on interpretable, domain-grounded representations offers a practical approach to learning in the presence of biased labels.