October 2011 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Critical Writing on FOSS and Wikipedia
by Andrew Herman 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Dear Fellow Aoiristas! I have a master student who is contemplating doing an MA Thesis on the comparative political economy of FOSS and Wikipedia. She definitely wants to approach the topic through a Marxist lens so I underscore the salience of "political economy" here. My first take on her proposal is that she is awfully naive about the incipient "info communism" of Wiikipedia but really needs some good critical empirical work to lift the histomat scales from her eyes. Any suggestions you might have our comrade, however deviant or deviationist, would be most appreciated. IR 12 is coming! AH Andrew Herman, Ph. D. Associate Professor and Chairperson Department of Communication Studies Graduate Program in Cultural Analysis and Social Theory Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5 CANADA 519 884-1970 x3693

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Game Modding Survey: Community and Motivations
by Nathaniel Poor 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Hi everyone, I'm running a small survey about game modders, their sense of community, and their motivations. The survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y7DRNL5 If you mod games, I hope you will take the survey. If you know anyone who mods games, perhaps you have students who do, I would be grateful if you could pass along this email. The survey is open for two weeks (until Oct 19), and there will be one $20 Amazon gift card given away to three randomly-chosen respondents who complete all the questions and submit their email address (you do not have to submit your email address to complete the survey, but you do if you want to enter the drawing). Sincerely, Nat Poor. ------------------------------- Nathaniel Poor, Ph.D. http://natpoor.blogspot.com/ https://sites.google.com/site/natpoor/

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IR-12: Just before you arrive to Seattle
by Karine Nahon 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Hello AoIRers! We are few days away from the IR-12 conference in Seattle, and very excited to host IR-12 in Seattle. Here is some relevant information, just before you pack your suitcases and hop on a plane. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to contact me. REGISTRATION The registration will be open on a limited basis on Monday, October 10 from 12 pm to 5 pm to process folks who arrive early for the workshops. If you get into town during the day on Monday, drop in and pick up your bag. Registration is in the courtyard foyer (which is situated on the B level of the hotel). Tuesday, October 11, the registration desk will open at 7:00 am. Yes, Yes, you read it correctly!!! We will start at 9:00 sharp, so we would like to process everyone before the Conference Opening. KEY EVENTS AND FOOD We decided to have one location (The courtyard foyer) as the main location of gathering in the conference. All the social and key events are located there. This includes the book exhibits, the kissing booth, keynote talks, welcome event, ignite talks, food and beverages during the conference and the Tuesday reception (note that we don't have a reception on Wednesday). Note that the paper sessions, roundtables and panels are all located on the third and fourth floors of the hotel. All Lunch are on your own. MODERATORS AND PRESENTERS Moderators: there is a sheet with instructions that can be taken from the registration desk. Also, we will leave a copy in each one of the rooms. Presenters: All rooms have a projector, and we hope to have a laptop for each room. However, it is recommended that you bring your own laptop for your talk. RECEPTION There is an opening reception on Tuesday, October 11, starting at 6 pm. The reception is sponsored by the department of Communication at University of Illinois at Chicago and the department of Communication and University of Washington. INTERNET Yes, we will have (wired and wireless) internet connections available for those of you with your own laptops during the conference but also in your room in the hotel (free of charge). PROGRAM The most updated version of the program is located at https://www.conftool.net/aoir-ir12/index.php?page=browseSessions. We are also preparing a downloadable version with all abstracts - this will only be an online version. If you purchased a printed program, note, that it will not contain the abstracts (298 pages long!). WEATHER Seattle in the fall is cool (10-15 degrees celsius, or mid-50s for those in Farenheit) and a high probability of showers. Dress warmly, bring a waterproof jacket, and shoes that you can walk in the rain in and not have wet feet. You'll have more fun. WHAT TO DO OR EAT IN SEATTLE Seattle is known for its great restaurants. Our hotel is located in a great place which is nearby many dining and entertainment sites. Check here http://ir12.aoir.org/dining-in-seattle and http://ir12.aoir.org/fun-around-seattle. VOLUNTEERS This conference could not come to live without the help of the UW Master and PhD students from the Information School, Communication Department and HCDE department (Human Centered Design & Engineering). We owe them a big thanks. You will recognize them through the special badges they are wearing. Please feel free to use their help, if you think you are lost... This is all I can think of at the moment. So until my next email.... Karine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Karine Nahon - http://eKarine.org<http://ekarine.org/> Associate Professor The Information School, The retroV (Virality of Information) Group - http://retroV.org<http://retrov.org/> University of Washington Twitter - http://twitter.com/karineb Office tel. - (206) 685-6668

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Wikipedia survey for the Sztakipedia project
by Mihály Héder 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Dear All, I would like to ask you a little, but important help. I'm doing research on the future of the Wikipedia editor interface. In order to understand better the view of the Wikiepedia users I compiled a survey. With filling the forms you can contribute to the survey, and your view will be taken into account assessing the general requirements of the editors of Wikipedia, and also that of the readers of Wikipedia. Please help me by filling the following form (it takes 3 minutes max): http://pedia.sztaki.hu/survey_en *and* by forwarding this mail to everyone you can think of. The more (and not only tech-savvy) people we reach, the better. So please, do not leave out anyone who has the slightest chance to use the internet (friends, family, students, mailing lists, neighbours, classmates, co-workers, etc.) The results will be available in raw form and explained by 31/03/2011 at: http://pedia.sztaki.hu , and also I will compile a white paper in the subject (strictly for an Open Access journal) (if this letter reaches you more than once it is my fault) Thank you very much: Mihály Héder Computer and Automation Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences + Budapest University of Technology, Philosophy of Science PhD student

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The Julie / Julia Project ... gone!
by Aimée Morrison 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Hello everyone, Here's a problem of literary work in the Internet age. After verifying that Julie Powell's salon.com blog, the Julie / Julia Project was still online in August, I assigned it to my graduate class along with the book that came out of it, and the movie. Now? The blog is gone. It's not in the wayback machine. My RA has been digging around and can only confirn that it is gone, taken down deliberately. Is there any other lurking corner of the Internet in which this blog might still be hiding? This is actually a pretty acute and serious research and pedagogical question, and I would really appreciate any insight any of you might offer. Long time reader, first time poster ... Aimée Morrison, PhD Associate Professor Dept. of English Language and Literature University of Waterloo @digiwonk http://www.hookandeye.ca

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Assistant Professor position in Digital Media @ NCSU
by Adriana de Souza e Silva 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

The Department of Communication at North Carolina State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in digital media. The candidate will have an earned doctorate by August 2012 in Communication or a related field (humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary). The successful candidate will have an established record of research in digital media, a commitment to the integration of theory and practice, and a commitment to multidisciplinary scholarship. Possible areas of expertise within digital media include, but are not limited to, game studies; mobile communication; locative media; social and public media; digital aesthetics; social networks; digital culture; digital media infrastructure, ownership, and policy; digital media access; new digital research methods; and surveillance, privacy and control. The specific sub-area of practice is less important than a commitment to understanding and exploring digital media as an arena for creative expression, communication, power, and/or social change. Preference will be given to candidates whose research demonstrates success in, or has strong potential for, external funding. The candidate must show strong promise of scholarly achievement and teaching success at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The candidate should be prepared to teach and advise in the undergraduate and MS curriculum of the Department of Communication (http://communication.chass.ncsu.edu/) and in the interdisciplinary PhD program in Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media (CRDM) (http://crdm.chass.ncsu.edu/) These programs include introductory and advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on the theory, methods, history, production, and applications of digital media in particular and communication in general. New hires should be ready to engage in innovative scholarly dialogue with departmental and university faculty members across multiple subfields, disciplines, and theoretical perspectives. With more than 34,000 students and nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, North Carolina State University is a comprehensive university known for its leadership in education and research, and globally recognized for its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Department of Communication is one of the largest departments at NC State, with between 600-700 undergraduate majors and nearly 100 MS and PhD students. The CRDM program enjoys a growing national and international reputation as a destination for digital media studies. The position will begin on August 16, 2012. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, CV, samples of relevant scholarly publications, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and three letters of reference by November 15, 2011. Candidates should submit applications online through the NC State Online employment system (https://jobs.ncsu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1317…) and access position number 00061220. Letters of reference should be mailed directly to: Adriana de Souza e Silva, PhD Search Committee Chair NC State University 201 Winston Hall Campus Box 8104 Raleigh, NC 27695 For additional information regarding this position please contact the Search Committee chair at the address above or via e-mail at adriana(a)souzaesilva.com. AA/EOE. In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact NCSU Human Resources at 919-515-2135. ________________________ Adriana de Souza e Silva, Ph.D Associate Professor of Communication Interim Associate Director, Communication, Rhetoric, & Digital Media Ph.D program North Carolina State University http://www.souzaesilva.com

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Call for proposals! Edited collection on cultures of/and/in/around copyright.
by martine courant rife 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Call for proposals! Edited collection on cultures of/and/in/around copyright. The edited collection will likely consist of: 1) an editors' introduction, which will provide some historical, cultural, legal, and philosophical context drawing from past humanities work attentive to intellectual property; 2) approximately 10-12 chapters addressing issues of intellectual property and culture; and 3) approximately 5-8 mini-chapters focusing on cultural implications and analysis of legal cases/case studies. Deadline for 500-750 word proposals: December 15, 2011 (notification by January 15, 2011) Deadline for chapter manuscripts: April 15, 2012 (response by May 15, 2012) The complete call for proposals... http://www.digitalwriting.org/cultures_copyright_CFP.pdf Questions welcome of course! Dànielle Nicole DeVoss . Michigan State University . devossda(a)msu.edu Martine Courant Rife . Lansing Community College . martinerife(a)gmail.com -- Martine Courant Rife, JD, PhD Professor, Writing Program Lansing Community College English Department Arts & Sciences Building, 211G, 517/4839906 martinerife(a)gmail.com http://www.martinecourantrife.com/ *** Senior Chair, CCCC-Intellectual Property Caucus (2011-2012) National Council of Teachers of English *** Achieving the Dream Core Team College-Wide Assessment Committee FACT (Faculty Assessment Consulting Team) Lansing Community College

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Job Opening: Asst Prof with a Digital/Social Media Specialization, U of North Texas
by Boettger, Ryan 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Please see the below job ad (or visit http://tinyurl.com/3fzk9t9) for a tenure-track position in professional communication with a specialization in digital or social media, Department of Linguistics and Technical Communication, at the University of North Texas, beginning fall 2012. Our department is interdisciplinary, and we invite applicants with diverse doctoral degrees, including technical communication, rhetoric, linguistics, journalism, marketing, public relations, information, media, cognitive science, psychology, or sociology. As a tenure-track member of the faculty, candidates will be expected to teach only courses in technical/professional communication, primarily at the undergraduate level. Preference will be given to candidates with industry experience. This is a new position, and it is one of three internally-funded hires that focuses on social and digital media. This faculty member will collaborate with new hires in Communication Studies and Radio, Television, and Film on interdisciplinary initiatives related to enhancing undergraduate education and community and industry engagement. Please feel free to post or pass this job ad to anyone who might be interested. --- Position The University of North Texas invites applications for an assistant professor position (tenure track) in professional and technical communication with a specialization in social and digital media, Department of Linguistics and Technical Communication, beginning fall 2012. Qualifications We’re interested in a diverse pool of applicants with expertise in social/digital media and professional/technical communication. All applicants must meet the following criteria: (1) Ph.D. by the time of appointment, (2) documented experience teaching courses in professional/technical writing, and (3) a record of research or publications that focuses on social/digital media issues. UNT’s Department of Linguistics and Technical Communication is an interdisciplinary department, and we invite applicants with diverse doctoral degrees, including technical communication, rhetoric, linguistics, journalism, marketing, public relations, information, media, cognitive science, psychology, or sociology. As a tenure-track member of the faculty, candidates will be expected to teach only courses in technical/professional communication, primarily at the undergraduate level. Preference will be given to candidates with industry experience. This position will be housed in the Department of Linguistics and Technical Communication. It is one of three internally-funded cluster hires in UNT’s College of Arts and Sciences that focuses on social and digital media. This faculty member will collaborate with new hires in Communication Studies and Radio, Television, and Film on interdisciplinary initiatives related to enhancing undergraduate education and community and industry engagement. Job Description As a tenure-track member of the faculty, candidates will be expected to develop a record of scholarly research necessary to obtain tenure and to regularly teach undergraduate and graduate professional/technical communication courses. The typical teaching load for junior faculty is 2/2. The University With about 36,000 students, UNT is the nation's 33rd largest university. As the largest, most comprehensive university in Dallas-Fort Worth, UNT drives the North Texas region. UNT offers 97 bachelor's, 88 master's and 40 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. A student-focused public research university, UNT is the flagship of the UNT System. Application Procedures Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement (up to 2 pages), a scholarly writing sample (up to 20 pages), and a list of three references and their contact information via UNT’s Faculty Jobs portal at https://facultyjobs.unt.edu. Direct all inquiries to Dr. Brenda R. Sims, Chair (sims(a)unt.edu<mailto:sims@unt.edu>). Application Deadline Review of applications begins on November 1, 2011 and will continue weekly until the search is closed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications and all supporting materials by this deadline. UNT is an AA/ADA/EOE. Ryan Boettger, Ph.D. ryan.boettger(a)unt.edu Ryan Boettger, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Linguistics & Technical Communication University of North Texas 1155 Union Circle #305298 Denton, Texas 76203 940.565.4458 (TEL) 940.369.8652 (FAX) www.LingTechComm.unt.edu<http://www.lingtechcomm.unt.edu/>

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Call for Convention Hosts for Media Ecology Association
by Janet Sternberg 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

CALL FOR HOSTS MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION (MEA) ANNUAL CONVENTION http://www.media-ecology.org Preliminary Deadline: DECEMBER 15, 2011 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 2013 and beyond. The convention, during which approximately 150–200 members gather, is held each June. Typically, the convention runs three full days, from Thursday through 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)greensboro.edu. Deadlines for Applying First preference for 2013 sites will be given to proposals received by December 15, 2011. However, all applications will be considered until a suitable site is found. Applicants interested in hosting for 2013 and beyond are encouraged to attend the 2012 MEA Convention (Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, June 7–10), 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, New York, USA, 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, New York, USA, 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 13th Annual Convention, Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York, USA, June 7–10, 2012 http://www.media-ecology.org

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ICA blogging panel
by Alice Marwick 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Hi there, Laura Noren (NYU Sociology) & I are putting a panel together for next year's ICA on blogging. Laura has been studying food bloggers, and I am working on a project on fashion bloggers. Both studies have a strong emphasis on gender. We'd like to get other panelists who are focusing on aspects of gender and blogging, or blogging that is not political/news blogging. If you're interested in being a panelist drop me a line. Panel proposals are due 11/1. Panelists have to commit to registering for the conference; there is some travel support for grad students. Thanks! Alice _______________ Alice E. Marwick, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher Microsoft Research New England Desk: 857.453.6330 Cell: 206.650.9109 amarwick(a)microsoft.com

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