October 2010 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

mailman exploration tool project (and an air-l network visualization)
by Bernhard Rieder 03 Oct '10

03 Oct '10

Hello, I'm currently preparing classes for the new semester and one of the things I'll do with my students (multimedia) is working on digital methods and the visualization of large amounts of data. One of the things we're going to work on is a tool for exploring mailman archives (they're pretty much standard and easy to parse) and I would like to know whether anybody has an ongoing research project on (a) mailinglist(s) and some data we could play with. I've written some quick code and here (http://software.rieder.fr/stuff/airl_undirected.png) you'll find a visualization of the air-l archives (22K mails, 3K posters) that shows a social graph where replying to a mail constitutes a relation (min 2 interactions, link strength taken into account). Only posters with 10+ mails taken into account. Node size is no of posts, node color is degree. A working toolkit should provide basic statistical/topological analysis, statistical exploration of word frequencies, topic clustering, data export, anonymization, and a way to visualize network structures over time. This stuff needs some serious domain knowledge to be even remotely interesting (beyond the "look it's a map") and I'd love to work with somebody who has an actual research project and wouldn't mind giving occasional feedback. best, B. -- Bernhard Rieder Laboratoire Paragraphe Université de Paris VIII bernhard.rieder(a)univ-paris8.fr http://bernhard.rieder.fr http://thepoliticsofsystems.net

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Fwd: AAUP Member NL: Survey on Contingent Faculty
by jeremy hunsinger 02 Oct '10

02 Oct '10

forward as appropriate -jh > > > We all know that more and more faculty members are hired off the tenure track, in contingent appointments of various kinds. But no good data exist on these appointments. That’s why the American Association of University Professors and other organizations in the Coalition on the Academic Workforce are conducting a survey.(http://lyris.eresources.com:81/t/5289222/4913970/1967/0/ You can help by filling out the survey if you are eligible or by forwarding this e-mail as widely as possible to faculty on your campus and beyond. > > The Coalition on the Academic Workforce invites all members of the contingent academic workforce in U.S. colleges and universities to participate in this survey.(http://lyris.eresources.com:81/t/5289222/4913970/1967/0/ It inquires about course assignments, salaries, benefits, and general working conditions as members of the contingent academic workforce experience them at the institutional level. We invite participation from all instructional and research staff members employed off the tenure track, including faculty members employed either full- or part-time, graduate students remunerated as teaching assistants or employed in other roles, and researchers and post-doctoral fellows. > > Most of the data on the working conditions of the contingent academic workforce—particularly data about salaries, benefits, and course assignments—exist in large data sets that have been aggregated and averaged at the national level. Consequently, the similarities and differences that contingent academic workers experience across different institutions and institutional sectors, geographic regions, and disciplines become obscured. This survey aims to examine salaries, benefits, course assignments, and general working conditions as contingent academic workers experience them at the institutional level. The survey will collect institution- and course-specific information to create a more textured and realistic picture of contingent academic workers’ working lives and working conditions. > > We hope that sufficient numbers of respondents will complete this survey to permit developing a rich dataset that will help CAW and its member organizations advocate on behalf of professional compensation and working conditions for the contingent academic workforce. To that end, we deeply appreciate the time and effort given by all who fill out this survey. > > Individuals who wish to be entered in a drawing for one of several $50 book gift cards may include contact information at the end of the questionnaire, but this information will not be used to connect survey data with specific persons. > > We hope you will fill out the questionnaire (http://lyris.eresources.com:81/t/5289222/4913970/1967/0/ today, but if you cannot, please do so by November 30, 2010. Winners of the gift cards will be notified the following week. Thank you. > > John Curtis, AAUP Director of Research and Public Policy > > About the Coalition on the Academic Workforce > Organized in 1997, CAW is a group of the 21 higher education associations, disciplinary associations, and faculty organizations listed below who are committed to addressing issues associated with deteriorating working conditions and their effect on college and university students in the United States. For more information about CAW, please visit www.academicworkforce.org. > > American Academy of Religion > American Anthropological Association > American Association of University Professors > American Federation of Teachers > American Historical Association > American Philological Association > American Philosophical Association > American Political Science Association > American Sociological Association > American Studies Association > Association of American Colleges and Universities > College Art Association > Community College Humanities Association > Conference on College Composition and Communication > Linguistic Society of America > Modern Language Association > National Council of Teachers of English > Organization of American Historians > Society of Biblical Literature > Society for Cinema and Media Studies > Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. > Jeremy Hunsinger Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Virginia Tech http://www.tmttlt.com Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student. -George Iles

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CFP: The Digital Humanities: Beyond Computing (deadline extension)
by Gary Hall 02 Oct '10

02 Oct '10

*** DUE TO A NUMBER OF REQUESTS, SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 18 OCTOBER 2010 *** CALL FOR PAPERS THE DIGITAL HUMANITIES: BEYOND COMPUTING Special issue of Culture Machine, vol. 12; http://www.culturemachine.net edited by Federica Frabetti (Oxford Brookes University) The emerging field of the Digital Humanities can broadly be understood as embracing all those scholarly activities in the humanities that involve writing about digital media and technology as well as being engaged in processes of digital media production (e.g. developing new media theory, creating interactive electronic literature, building online databases and wikis). Perhaps most notably, in what some are describing as a ‘computational turn’, it has seen techniques and methodologies drawn from Computer Science – image processing, data visualisation, network analysis – being used increasingly to produce new ways of understanding and approaching humanities texts. Yet just as interesting as what Computer Science has to offer the humanities, surely, is the question of what the humanities have to offer Computer Science; and, beyond that, what the humanities themselves can bring to the understanding of the digital. Do the humanities really need to draw so heavily on Computer Science to develop their sense of what the Digital Humanities might be? Already in 1990 Mark Poster was arguing that ‘the relation to the computer remains one of misrecognition’ in the field of Computer Science, with the computer occupying ‘the position of the imaginary’ and being ‘inscribed with transcendent status’. If so, this has significant implications for any so-called ‘computational turn’ in the humanities. For on this basis Computer Science does not seem all that well-equipped to understand even itself and its own founding object, concepts and concerns, let alone help with those of the humanities. In this special issue of Culture Machine we are therefore interested in investigating something that may initially appear to be a paradox: to what extent is it possible to envisage Digital Humanities that go beyond the disciplinary objects, affiliations, assumptions and methodological practices of computing and Computer Science? At the same time the humanities are not without blindspots and elements of misrecognition of their own. Take the idea of the human. For all the radical interrogation of this concept over the last 100 years or so, not least in relation to technology, doesn’t the mode of research production in the humanities remain very much tied to that of the individualized, human author? (Isn’t this evident in different ways even in the work of such technology-conscious anti-humanist thinkers as Deleuze, Guattari, Kittler, Latour, Negri, Ranciere and Stiegler?) So what are the implications and possibilities of ‘the digital beyond computing’ for the humanities and for some of the humanities’ own central or founding concepts, too? The human, and with it the human-ities; but also the subject, the author, the scholar, writing, the text, the book, the discipline, the university... What would THAT kind of (reconfigured) Digital Humanities look like? We welcome papers that address the above questions and that suggest a new, somewhat different take on the relationship between the humanities and the digital. Deadline for submissions: 18 October 2010 Please submit your contributions by email to Federica Frabetti: <kikka66it(a)yahoo.it> All contributions will be peer-reviewed. **************************************************** Established in 1999, CULTURE MACHINE http://www.culturemachine.net is a fully refereed, open-access journal of cultural studies and cultural theory. It has published work by established figures such as Mark Amerika, Alain Badiou, Simon Critchley, Jacques Derrida, Henry Giroux, Mark Hansen, N. Katherine Hayles, Ernesto Laclau, J. Hillis Miller, Bernard Stiegler, Cathryn Vasseleu and Samuel Weber, but it is also open to publications by up-and-coming writers, from a variety of geopolitical locations. **************************************************** -- Gary Hall Research Professor of Media and Performing Arts School of Art and Design, Coventry University Co-editor of Culture Machine http://www.culturemachine.net Co-founder of the Open Humanities Press http://www.openhumanitiespress.org My website http://www.garyhall.info Latest: 'Affirmative media theory and the post-9/11 world’ http://www.garyhall.info

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deep thoughts at nite on grad school stuff
by Barry Wellman 01 Oct '10

01 Oct '10

I don't have hard data, but in my mere 43 years of experience, stars or tenured non-stars don't move around 4-5 as a rule; perhaps once or two. Point is good to go where there is depth; not just one person. Jeremy's point is great is to look at completion rates and where people are placed. Not necessarily the same thing. Some top schools in Sociology cocoon their students but they eventually wind up with good jobs. Look too at drop out rates. I decided between Harvard & Columbia (in 1963) because Columbia's incoming grad cohort in Soc was 40 and 2nd year cohort was 20. Harvard's incoming cohort was 20 and 2nd year cohort in 19. I avoid the columbia hypercompetitive experience. Talk to the students who worked with the profs at the place. And visit. Nothing like face time to pick up vibes. NetLab welcomes all visitors. Barry Wellman _______________________________________________________________________ S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology, FRSC NetLab Director Department of Sociology 725 Spadina Avenue, Room 388 University of Toronto Toronto Canada M5S 2J4 twitter:barrywellman http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman fax:+1-416-978-3963 Updating history: http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php _______________________________________________________________________

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Graduate programs for "internet studies"?
by Devin Gaffney 01 Oct '10

01 Oct '10

Hey all, I just finished an exhilarating undergraduate program that gave me enough flexibility in order to study the impact/efficacy of Twitter during the Iran Election(http://www.devingaffney.com/-iranelection-quantifying-online-activ… ), but in order to pull it off, I had to really bend some of the institutions rules, and just barely got the necessary advisorship in order to study it in a reasonable way. I am looking to jump right back into school for the following academic year, and am trying to figure out which schools have which programs - it seems that the information/ websites for all the programs that do exist are well ensconced within their respective institutions websites, which tend towards labyrinthine. Does anyone have a good list of institutions (US/ elsewhere) where a Masters/PhD in fields either directly or otherwise closely related to "internet studies" (or "web science," or whatever term you use, as this even seems to be up in the air, as far as I can tell)? Obviously, there are places like Citizenlab, Berkman, and OII, which all seem to at least offer classes in some capacity, but are there any others i just haven't found? Thanks much, Devin Gaffney http://www.devingaffney.com

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Call for Convention Hosts for Media Ecology Association
by Janet Sternberg 01 Oct '10

01 Oct '10

CALL FOR HOSTS MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION (MEA) ANNUAL CONVENTION http://www.media-ecology.org Preliminary Deadline: DECEMBER 15, 2010 Invitation to Apply The Media Ecology Association (MEA) invites applications from institutional sites around the world willing to host the Association's annual convention. Currently the MEA is seeking sites to host the Annual Convention for 2012 and beyond. The convention, during which approximately 150-200 members gather, is held each June. Typically the convention runs three full days, from Thursday to Sunday morning. The choice of weekend is generally left to the discretion of the host. (See the list of past convention sites below.) All proposals will be evaluated by the MEA Board of Directors. Board members are also available via email to answer questions. All proposals should be submitted via email to: Sheila J. Nayar, at snayar(a)greensborocollege.edu. Deadlines for Applying First preference for 2012 sites will be given to proposals received by December 15, 2010. However, all applications will be considered until a suitable site is found. Applicants interested in hosting for 2012 and beyond are encouraged to attend the 2011 MEA Convention (University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, June 23-26), during which there will be ample opportunity to meet with members of the MEA Board of Directors. Guidelines for Applying We offer some guidelines for applying below. (We also urge applicants to read the MEA convention planning manual before writing up their proposal. The manual is available through the MEA website.) There is no length requirement, but please make proposals as comprehensive as possible. If additional information or clarification is needed, the MEA Board of Directors may contact you directly. Site Specifics 1. Do you have a specific year in mind for hosting the convention? What dates in June do you propose? Describe the specific site - i.e., city, educational institution, various buildings in which the convention would be held. 2. What is your site's capacity? What rooms are available (e.g., classrooms for breakout sessions, meeting halls, exhibition space, banquet space) and what are their capacities? What technological support is available (e.g., Internet, projectors)? 3. What is your location's accessibility? Is it convenient for those traveling from points around the country and world? 4. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus housing (e.g., dorm rooms, university-affiliated residences) be provided? If so, for how many and at what cost? Are nearby hotels available for members who wish to remain off campus? If so, can those hotels offer discounts to members? Can special deals with hotels be arranged? 5. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, can on-campus dining be provided? Can you provide complimentary beverages during the course of the day (e.g., coffee, water)? Can you provide complimentary breakfast? What are the potentials for your hosting/sponsoring receptions, lunches, and dinners? 6. Though it is not a requirement for hosting, are there special tours that can be offered and/or attractions that attendees might like to visit? Are there locations at which dinners/receptions might be held? What social events do you envision? Support, Funding, and Affordability 1. What kind and what level of financial support will your site provide? Are there commitments for funds for the conference? If so, are these commitments firm? 2. Are there opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships that your site can uniquely provide? 3. If possible, please provide a simple business plan that lays out estimated incoming and outgoing monies. Hosting Specifics 1. Do you have someone in mind, either from the hosting location or from another location, who can serve as Convention Coordinator? (A convention committee composed of select MEA officers will communicate regularly with the coordinator.) 2. Are there any exceptions to the MEA Convention Planning Manual’s guidelines that need to be taken into account in order for you to be able to host the convention in the way you would like? 3 Do you envision a particular theme for the convention? (A theme is optional, but if you wish to have one, your theme must be approved by the MEA.) Do you have any plenary speakers or particular sessions in mind? (Please note that some plenary events are determined by the Board, and all others are determined in consultation with the Board.) 4. Are there any special ways that your institution furthers the interdisciplinary and/or international nature of the Media Ecology Association? If you have not organized a conference before, think carefully about your organizational network and distribution of labor, as well as about contingency plans in the case of changes in people or funding arrangements. Past and Forthcoming MEA Convention Sites 1st Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, New York, USA, June 16-17, 2000 2nd Annual Convention, New York University, New York, New York, USA, June 15-16, 2001 3rd Annual Convention, Marymount Manhattan College, New York, USA, New York, June 21-23, 2002 4th Annual Convention, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA, June 5-8, 2003 5th Annual Convention, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, USA, New York, June 10-13, 2004 6th Annual Convention, Fordham University, New York, New York, USA, June 22-26, 2005 7th Annual Convention, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, June 8-11, 2006 8th Annual Convention, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Estado de México, México, June 6-10, 2007 9th Annual Convention, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, USA, June 19-22, 2008 10th Annual Convention, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, June 18-21, 2009 11th Annual Convention, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA, June 10-13, 2010 12th Annual Convention, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, June 23-26, 2011 http://www.media-ecology.org

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facebook evidence?
by Barry Wellman 30 Sep '10

30 Sep '10

I've learned a lot from the Facebook discussion about how "matches" are made,* but mostly it has been deduction, conjecture and anecdote. *****Does anybody have any really reliable, verifiable evidence about how Facebook matches are actually made? *And reinforced my own reasons for not on FBook, altho I am on Twitter. Barry Wellman _______________________________________________________________________ S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology, FRSC NetLab Director Department of Sociology 725 Spadina Avenue, Room 388 University of Toronto Toronto Canada M5S 2J4 twitter:barrywellman http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman fax:+1-416-978-3963 Updating history: http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php _______________________________________________________________________

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