October 2019 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

LSE Digital Ethnography Collective Nvivo Workshop Livestream
by Glatt,ZA (pgr) 01 Nov '19

01 Nov '19

Hi AoIRists! Yesterday I ran a workshop for the LSE Digital Ethnography Collective on using Nvivo for digital ethnographic data analysis. As usual, we livestreamed the event on my YouTube channel and invited virtual participants to have a conversation simultaneously via the chat function. As I know there are so many digital ethnographers on this mailing list, I thought some of you might find it useful. You can also the how the chat unfolded, which is fun. Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/ECwEj8tf-EI For those of you who are interested in digital ethnography but missed our original email, our Twitter is @DigEthnogLSE and this is the link to join our mailing list: https://t.co/sY9loab54f?amp=1 Enjoy! All the best, Zoe ________________________ Zoë Glatt www.zoeglatt.com<http://www.zoeglatt.com/> ESRC PhD Researcher in Media & Communications London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Managing Editor: Communication, Culture & Critique Co-Founder: LSE Digital Ethnography Collective @DigEthnogLSE<https://twitter.com/DigEthnogLSE> Graduate Student Rep: Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) Associate Lecturer in Media & Communications (2019/20): Goldsmiths University & London College of Communications YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/user/Zedstergal> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/ZoeGlatt> | LSE bio<http://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/people/phd-researchers/zoe-gl…>

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Fellowships at Data Justice Lab, Cardiff University, UK
by Arne Hintz 31 Oct '19

31 Oct '19

The Data Justice Lab is offering two short-term Data Justice Fellowships. We are looking for two fellows to collaborate with us on exploring current issues in data justice for a one-month research stay at Cardiff University, UK. We welcome proposals from both academics and practitioners who wish to investigate different dimensions of social justice in a datafied world. Applicants should submit a proposal that addresses the ongoing work of the Lab and/or the research agenda of data justice. Each fellow will spend one month full time at the Lab in Spring 2020. You will receive a £2000 stipend to cover your living expenses. The deadline for applications is November 30th 2019. To find the full details and apply, click here: https://datajusticelab.org/data-justice-fellowship/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdatajusti…> ---------------- Dr Arne Hintz Reader | Co-Director Data Justice Lab | Director MA Digital Media and Society School of Journalism, Media and Culture | Cardiff University Two Central Square | Cardiff CF10 1FS Email: HintzA(a)cardiff.ac.uk | Tel: +44 (0)29 208 76281 | Twitter: @arne_hz Fellow | Center for Media, Data and Society | Central European University

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AI Now Institute is hiring postdoctoral researchers at NYU
by Julia Thibaud 31 Oct '19

31 Oct '19

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER at AI NOW INSTITUTE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY https://ainowinstitute.org/join-us.html#postdoctoral-researcherAI Now is hiring 1-2 postdoctoral researchers interested in joining an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of collaborative researchers. This two-year position is designed for scholars who want to engage with the social implications of AI and related technologies, and we welcome applications from all disciplines. AI Now provides postdocs with the opportunity to develop their scholarship at a top academic institution with a remit to collaborate with researchers and practitioners across different fields on cutting-edge issues. Postdocs will devote time to their own research and collaborative projects, as well as contributing to AI Now programs and events related to their research portfolio. Teaching is not expected, but can be an option, depending on a candidate’s availability and interest. AI Now is committed to accommodating and resourcing research agendas that fit within its mission. Postdocs will become a core part of a vibrant research community that includes reading groups, expert workshops, international conferences, regular salons, and site-specific travel. RESOURCES AND BENEFITS * Competitive salary and benefits * A generous research budget for conferences (including international), fieldwork, and research materials available as needed * Access to an exceptional network of established researchers spanning NYU and beyond, including civil society and industry practitioners * Relocation assistance available as needed QUALIFICATIONS Eligible candidates will have received their PhD in2018-2020 (conferred by August 2020). Start date for this position will be in September 2020. Postdoc positions are two years in length and this position will conclude in August 2022. Successful candidates will have extensive research experience and an established research track record, demonstrated by journal publications and/or conference papers, as well as other forms of academic participation, such as program committees and editorial boards. Candidates may be trained in any discipline, but should be focused on examining the complex social implications of AI and related systems, and be committed to working in an interdisciplinary environment. Candidates from all disciplines, both technical and non-technical, are welcome to apply. Examples of current research areas include: the construction of training data for supervised machine learning systems, gender and race representation and AI, the implications of algorithmic risk assessment and means testing in criminal justice and social welfare, the geopolitical implications of artificial intelligence, the role of industrial actors in the creation of modern AI systems, the political economy of the AI industry, the use of AI in the workplace and the changing nature of work, the relationship of healthcare practitioners to algorithmic systems, infrastructural analyses of AI, the history of AI, the maintenance of complex AI systems, and the political implications of machine vision. We are also open to a range of topics and approaches that go beyond these domains. The ideal candidate will enjoy bold and creative research design, working on collaborative teams, mentoring junior researchers, exploring new methodologies, and engaging broad audiences with their research. The AI Now postdoctoral program is located at New York University and candidates will be expected to spend the majority of their time on-site, with the exception of travel for conferences, research, meetings, etc. New York University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. New York University is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth (or related medical condition), sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, caregiver status, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS The application deadline for the2020-2022 class is Tuesday, November 19, 2019. To apply, please submit your information viaour online form, including PDF attachments for the following materials: 1. A research statement, no longer than two pages, on your research agenda, methodologies, and how this work connects to the mission of AI Now. 2. An abstract and chapter outline of your dissertation. 3. Two writing samples in English, such as journal articles, book chapters, essays, or equivalent. 4. Your CV; please indicate when you received/will receive your PhD. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions about the position at apply+postdoc(a)ainowinstitute.org Data Protection PolicyAI Now strives to minimize data collection andlimit use of data to the specific purpose for which it is collected. For job applications, we use a series of third party services to help store and organize applicant information. After our hiring process concludes, we save the minimal amount of data required for our HR compliance records and delete the rest. Unless compelled by legal process or pursuant to the applicant’s permission, we do not share any information we receive from applicants with any external person or entity. Should we receive any such legal process, we will attempt to notify the individual whose data is at issue if at all possible in a timely manner.ABOUT THE AI NOW INSTITUTE The AI Now Institute at New York University is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding the social implications of AI technologies. It is the first university research center focused specifically on AI’s social significance. Founded and led by Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, AI Now is one of the few women-led AI institutes in the world. AI Now works with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including academic researchers, industry, civil society, policy makers, and affected communities, to identify and address issues raised by the rapid introduction of AI across core social domains. AI Now produces interdisciplinary research to help ensure that AI systems are accountable to the communities and contexts they are meant to serve, and that they are applied in ways that promote justice and equity. The Institute’s current research agenda focuses on four core areas: bias and inclusion, rights and liberties, labor and automation, and safety and critical infrastructure. AI Now is affiliated across six different NYU faculties: theTandon School of Engineering, theSteinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, theLaw School, theStern School of Business, theCenter for Data Science, and the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

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CFP + 3rd keynote announcement: DiGRA 2020
by Frans Mäyrä 31 Oct '19

31 Oct '19

*Call for Papers & 3rd Keynote Announcement: DiGRA 2020* Tampere, Finland (June 2-6, 2020) https://digra2020.org/ Updates: - We have already announced two conference keynotes, Dr Susanna Paasonen and Dr. Kishonna Gray. Today we are happy and proud to announce the third keynote speaker, Dr. Rilla Khaled. Dr Khaled is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design and Computation Arts at Concordia University in Montréal, Canada. Dr. Khaled’s research is focused on the use of interactive technologies to improve the human condition, a career-long passion that has led to diverse outcomes, including designing award-winning serious games, creating speculative prototypes of near-future technologies, developing a framework for game design specifically aimed at reflective outcomes, and working with Indigenous communities to use contemporary technologies to imagine new, inclusive futures. See: https://digra2020.org/keynotes/. - The conference submissions are still open - but it is less than a month to the deadline of full paper, abstract and panel submissions (29 November 2019). DiGRA 2020 will take place in Tampere, Finland from June 3rd-6th 2020. A pre-conference will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd. DiGRA 2020 is co-hosted by the Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies (https://coe-gamecult.org/) a joint effort of game research teams in three universities (Tampere, Turku, and Jyväskylä). The theme of DiGRA 2020 is "Play Everywhere", exploring the workings of play and games as wide-ranging cultural phenomena which have shaped many areas of society. The ludification of culture, including practices around games, play, and related phenomena have arguably broadened and diversified approaches in the field. Games pervade culture and society, play is everywhere. We encourage reflection upon how the collapse of traditional divisions between work and leisure, and between seriousness and playfulness, affect both culture in general, and play and games in particular. On the one hand, the cultural importance of playful phenomena has increased, rendering games one of the defining expressive means of contemporary society. They come with the promise of enhanced agency and participation on an unprecedented scale. On the other hand, the dominance of games and play introduces new challenges, such as the question of videogame hegemony and its global impacts. While game studies in the past has often underlined the hedonic, empowering aspects of games and play, the ludification of society also raises difficult questions around the socioeconomic and environmental cost of game culture. Who is entitled to design, play, and enjoy games and under what conditions? With the theme of "Play Everywhere", DiGRA 2020 makes space for an interdisciplinary critical debate around related question, inviting a diversity of voices. As mainstream phenomena around games and play grow, so do approaches and tactics at the margin of games culture. This creates potentials for vibrant exchange, methodical variety, and multifaceted critique. DiGRA 2020 welcomes contributions on different game formats, expressions, and phenomena both related to digital and non-digital games. We are inviting submissions for the following six tracks: - Philosophy and Theory of Play & Games: theoretical frameworks and investigations of games and play phenomena as well as meta-reflection on game studies methods and practices. - Game Analyses, Criticism and Interpretation: analyses, close-readings, and critical discussions of game texts. - Game History and Cultural Context: explorations of game histories, contemporary game cultures and regional game studies. - Play and Players: empirical research on play and playful behaviour, players, fandom, and game communities. - Game Design, Production and Distribution: reflections on making and research creation, processes of production and design, and the games market. - Serious Games and Education: research on games and play for learning, education and therapy, gamification, and other applications beyond game studies. There will be several special events associated with the conference, including: - PhD Consortium: Organized on the pre-conference conference day, this event will allow PhD students to discuss key issues and seek feedback from experienced scholars. It will provide opportunities for further development of research skills that will be of help to emerging scholars in achieving their academic goals. - Game History Consortium: The consortium brings together game historians and stakeholders such as museum, library, and archive professionals, as well as game company representatives to discuss current topics in game historical research, uses of history, game, gameplay, and game culture preservation, and themes such as local game histories and game industries beyond digital games. The venue is organized in collaboration with the Finnish Museum of Games (opened in January 2017) and the Finnish Game Preservation Roundtable Network. - Nordic Larp: Theory and Practice: Finland, among other Nordic countries, has a strong tradition of Live action role-playing Games (Larp), both in practice and in research attention. In conjunction with the conference, a half-day event will feature a Larp workshop and a series of talks on Nordic Larps. More thematic workshops can be proposed to the organisers (see submission guidelines below). *Important dates* - Submission opens: 1 October 2019 - Full papers, abstracts and panels submission deadline: 29 November 2019 - Workshop proposals submission deadline 13 December 2019 - Announcement of review results and workshop acceptance: 20 January 2020 - Workshop submissions deadline: 14 February 2020 - Workshop submissions results: 18 February 2020 - Early bird registration & program deadlines: 13 March 2020 - Camera-ready papers & abstracts deadline: 3 April 2020 - Conference dates: 3-6 June 2020 The submissions will be handled via the EasyChair system (the link to be provided at the website later). More information will be updated into the conference website: www.digra2020.org. *Submission Guidelines* We welcome a range of contributions to DiGRA 2020: full papers, extended abstracts, panel and doctoral consortium participation, and workshop proposals. Full papers and extended abstracts will be peer-reviewed, published on the conference website and published in the conference proceedings available via open-access through the DiGRA Digital Library: http://www.digra.org/digital-library. Panel proposals will be peer-reviewed and published on the conference website, but will not be included in the conference proceedings published through the DiGRA Digital Library. Workshop proposals will be selected by the conference organizers based on non-anonymous submissions. All except workshop submissions should be made via EasyChair, which opens on 1st October 2019. Workshop proposals should be sent directly to the conference email. Authors are asked to direct questions to the program chairs Sabine Harrer, Tomasz Z. Majkowski and Hanna Wirman. - Full Paper: Full papers are expected to be 5000-7000 words plus references, submitted as anonymized pdf on DiGRA Submission Template. Submissions must be original, which means that they have not been published or are under peer review elsewhere. Full papers are peer-reviewed publications of original game studies research, presenting mature, complete research. Authors must present accepted full papers at the DiGRA conference. Accepted manuscripts will appear in the Proceedings of the 2019 DiGRA International Conference, which is published in the open access DiGRA Digital Library. - Extended Abstract: The suggested length for an extended abstract is 500-800 words, with a maximum of 1000 words, excluding references (only key references should be included), submitted as anonymized pdf using the DiGRA Submission Template. Give a short description in the abstract field of the conference management system, but there is no need for extended abstracts to contain an abstract. The purpose of an extended abstract is to demonstrate a contribution interesting to DiGRA audiences. An extended abstract might describe a study or research program that is underway, but might also describe a pending program of research. It might outline findings, or it might establish and discuss a research question. It might describe the study's method or methodology, or it might focus on outcomes and results. It might describe work that is planned, work that is in progress, or work that has been completed. Accepted extended abstracts will appear in open access DiGRA Digital Library. - PhD Consortium Submission: Selection for the PhD consortium will be based on an extended abstract based on ongoing PhD research project, with a maximum of 1000 words, excluding references (see Extended Abstract guidelines, above). They should be submitted to PhD Consortium track, as NON-anonymized pdf, with a short description in the abstract field of the conference management system (there is no need for a doctoral consortium application to have an abstract). Submissions must use the DiGRA 2019 submission template. - Panel: A panel session will typically occupy a single conference session and have a duration of 80 to 90 minutes. Panel proposals should have a maximum length of 1000 words, excluding references, plus a 100 word biography of each participant. They should include: the focus or topic of the panel; a description of why the topic will be of interest or relevant to DiGRA attendees; a list of confirmed participants and a description of their background and expertise. Panel proposals will be peer-reviewed. Panels should be submitted as pdfs on DiGRA Submission Template (optional). - Workshop: The conference workshops are three to six hours long sessions focused on a particular game-related topic. Workshops provide an opportunity for new ideas, theories and trends to be presented and discussed. Workshops can also be practical tutorials. Concise workshop proposals of no more than 1000 words (excluding bibliography) should include major objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop, the justification for the workshop informed by current trends and research, the format and activities planned for the workshop, the organizers' background, the anticipated number of participants and the way they will be selected. Please note that the submission should not be anonymous as the organizers' background is very important in the decision-making process for workshops. Submit workshop proposals directly by email to by 13 December 2019. - Number of submissions per author: Authors cannot submit more than two papers and/or extended abstracts at DiGRA 2020, including PhD Consortium submissions. An individual can be co-authors on as many full papers and extended abstracts as they like, but cannot submit more than two as main author/presenter. If the limit is exceeded, only the two first submissions will be reviewed. The limit does not include participation in panels or workshops. Please follow the latest news and possible updates to these guidelines at: www.digra2020.org. Welcome to Tampere! On behalf of the organising team; -- Frans Mäyrä, Professor, ITC/COMS/TRIM/Gamelab, TUNI.fi Director, Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies ** mail: ITC, 33014 Tampere University, Finland ** ** frans.mayra(a)tuni.fi / fransmayra(a)gmail.com ** https://coe-gamecult.org www.fransmayra.fi www.unet.fi

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CFP: Ethical XR: A Multidisciplinary Symposium on the Future of Extended Reality
by Gerald Sim 30 Oct '19

30 Oct '19

Submissions are open for “Ethical XR: A Multidisciplinary Symposium on the Future of Extended Reality,” taking place at Florida Atlantic University’s main Boca Raton campus on February 21, 2020. Keynote speakers: Danya Glabau (Director of Science and Technology Studies in the Department of Technology, Culture, and Society, NYU Tandon School of Engineering) and Helen Nissenbaum (Director of the Digital Life Initiative, Cornell Tech). The deadline for Proposals is November 15, 2019. As innovations in extended reality (XR) applications in media, gaming, medicine, and education pass engineering milestones, many recognize that function, utility, and profit should not be the sole drivers of decision-making. Some counterweight is provided by civic-minded XR projects seeking to preserve endangered traditions, enrich cultural memories, and use virtual experiences to produce empathy for marginalized groups. Meanwhile, the ethical issues that complicate the work of designers, developers, and marketers are producing responses from sectors of the academy like science and technology studies, and within the industry where companies are adding ethicists and humanists to their ranks. Ethical XR will be a forum for ethically driven concerns regarding XR (including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality). It wants designers and producers to enhance their historical knowledge, develop best practices, and to give critical scholars a chance to engage with practitioners, including engineers working to capitalize on technological advancements, as well as with developers already committed to socially responsible production. The result will hopefully be a set of new ethical frameworks to safeguard our individual and social well-being. Find out more at http://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/scms/ethicalxr/ or email ethicalxr(a)gmail.com.

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Canadian Internet Use Survey new release
by Peter Timusk 30 Oct '19

30 Oct '19

Released: 2019-10-29 In 2018, the share of Canadians aged 15 and older who used the Internet was 91%, with more seniors reporting Internet use (71%). Results from the previous survey cycle indicated that 83% of Canadians had used the Internet in 2012, with the proportion of seniors online at 48%. More on the link. It is possible to apply to do research on the micro data by contacting the survey manager and inquiring. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/191029/dq191029a-eng.htm Peter Timusk peterotimusk(a)gmail.com I do not speak for my employer or charities or political parties or unions I volunteer with or belong to, unless otherwise noted.

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Data Voids - a new Data & Society report
by danah boyd 29 Oct '19

29 Oct '19

Data Voids: Where Missing Data Can Get Easily Be Exploited https://datasociety.net/output/data-voids/ <https://datasociety.net/output/data-voids/> A year ago, Michael Golebiewski and I put out a simple primer describing "Data Voids", a concept he coined to describe what happens when search engines don't have high quality content to return for specific search queries. Over the last year, we've drilled into the various ways in which media manipulators exploit these data voids and the contours of the problem. Today, we released a full report, providing both a framework for understanding different types of data voids, case studies that help ground the conversation, and recommendations for moving forward. In terms of moving forward, the big thing to know is that addressing this problem will require both content creators and tech companies. For a quick preview, here are the five types of data voids we highlight: - Breaking News: The production of problematic content can be optimized to terms that are suddenly spiking due to a breaking news situation; these voids will eventually be filled by legitimate news content, but are abused before such content exists. - Strategic New Terms: Manipulators create new terms and build a strategically optimized information ecosystem around them before amplifying those terms into the mainstream, often through news media, in order to introduce newcomers to problematic content and frames. - Outdated Terms: When terms go out of date, content creators stop producing content associated with these terms long before searchers stop seeking out content. This creates an opening for manipulators to produce content that exploits search engines’ dependence on freshness. - Fragmented Concepts: By breaking connections between related ideas, and creating distinct clusters of information that refer to different political frames, manipulators can segment searchers into different information worlds. - Problematic Queries: Search results for disturbing or fraught terms that have historically returned problematic results continue to do so, unless high quality content is introduced to contextualize or outrank such problematic content. Anyhow, I'm delighted to share this new report with you. I hope you will find it interesting and helpful. Please feel free to share this with others: https://datasociety.net/output/data-voids/ <https://datasociety.net/output/data-voids/> I'd love to hear thoughts and feedback as well! danah

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The Internet at Fifty
by Daniel Nemenyi 29 Oct '19

29 Oct '19

Dear colleagues, With today marking the 50th anniversary of the first packets being zipped across the ARPANET, I would like to encourage you all to keep up the creative, insightful and critical research that so regularly flows through this list and onto screens like mine around the globe. I would also like to extend an invitation to come toast this moment with the Department of Digital Humanities of King's College London next week, where we're putting on an evening of short reflections and drinks. Please do come along if you're able. Details are as follows: _Happy Packet Switching! 50 Years of Internet_ Date: Wednesday 6 Nov 2019, 18:00-21:00 Venue: King's College London (Strand), London, UK Reservation: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/happy-packet-switching-tickets-77325266955 Dr Mercedes Bunz, 'Thank you internet, or how I got away from Kittler' Dr Stuart Dunn, 'Growing up tall and proud: Arpanet and the Cold War' Dr Kate Devlin Dr Ashwin Mathew*, 'Whose internet?' Dr Conor McKeown, 'Logic; Cryptography; The Internet: How Cracking Codes Led to Shaking Hands' Dr Daniel Nemenyi*, 'Cybernetic Guerrilla Warfare'ji Dr Claire Reddleman, 'The Power of Abstraction: mapping the internet' Dr Kristen Schuster, 'The Internet Was Invented for Sharing Cat Photos...' Dr Phottini Vrikki, 'At the Internet’s Margins? After the Mainstreaming of Online Practices' Films edited by Dr Marta Musso*. * Organising committee https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/happy-packet-switching-tickets-77325266955 Warm regards, Dr Daniel Nemenyi

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WEBCAST TODAY: UCLA engineering 50th Anniversary of the Internet Celebration #Internet50
by Joly MacFie 29 Oct '19

29 Oct '19

Yesterday there was some question as to whether this would go ahead as the nearby fires had shut down UCLA's campus, but the all clear has sounded, just in time. ISOC Live posted: "October 29 2019 marks 50 years to the day since Leonard Kleinrock's team sent the first message over the Arpanet, transforming his mathematical theory of packet switching into what would become the modern Internet. To celebrate the occasion the UCLA Samue" [image: livestream] <https://livestream.com/internetsociety/internet50>*October 29 2019* marks *50 years* to the day since *Leonard Kleinrock <https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductees/leonard-kleinrock>*'s team sent the first message over the Arpanet, transforming his mathematical theory of packet switching into what would become the modern Internet. To celebrate the occasion the *UCLA Samueli School of Engineering <https://samueli.ucla.edu/>* will host a full day forum "*Founders to Futurists: 50th Anniversary of the Internet <http://internet50.ucla.edu/>*" in Los Angeles. Speakers *Vint Cerf*, *Eric Schmidt*, *Mark Cuban*, *Henry Samueli*, *Jameela Jamil*, *Jamie Dimon*, *Ashton Kutcher*, *Peter Thiel*, *Katelyn Ohash*i, and more will discuss the genesis, current state and future aspirations of our connected world. The event will be webcast live on *YouTube <http://internet50.ucla.edu/>* and simulcast on the *Internet Society Livestream Channel* <https://livestream.com/internetsociety/>. *VIEW ON LIVESTREAM: https://livestream.com/internetsociety/internet50 <https://livestream.com/internetsociety/internet50>* *VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://internet50.ucla.edu/ <http://internet50.ucla.edu/>* *PROGRAM: https://samueli.ucla.edu/internet50-program <https://samueli.ucla.edu/internet50-program>* *TWITTER: @UCLAengineering #Internet50 https://priv.sh/lLVEVMO <https://priv.sh/lLVEVMO>* *Permalink* https://isoc.live/11469/ - -- --------------------------------------------------------------- Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast -------------------------------------------------------------- -

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Reminder: Research Assistant (6 months) Urban refugees and digital labour - deadline 6 Nov
by HACKL Andreas 29 Oct '19

29 Oct '19

Dear colleagues, Apologies for sharing this job ad again. This is a reminder for the research assistant role on urban refugees and digital labour, deadline 6 November. I am looking for a research assistant to work with me on the project 'Digital livelihoods: towards a just gig economy for urban refugees'<https://refugeework.net/> based at the University of Edinburgh, within the social anthropology subject area. Apply here: https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobs… Vacancy Details Research Assistant (Urban refugees and digital labour) Vacancy Ref: : 050020 Closing Date : 06-Nov-2019 Contact Person : Dr Andreas Hackl Contact Number : 0131 651 5357 Contact Email : andreas.hackl(a)ed.ac.uk<mailto:andreas.hackl@ed.ac.uk?subject=Research%20Assistant%20(Urban%20refugees%20and%20digital%20labour)> You will work with Dr Andreas Hackl on a project entitled ‘Digital livelihoods: towards a just gig economy for urban refugees.’ Funded by the ESRC UK, the project runs for two years (2019-2021) and focuses on digital work practices among refugees in two cities: Berlin and Beirut. The Research Assistant will focus on the field site Berlin and is expected to conduct qualitative research for a period of at least two months towards the project’s objectives. Candidates must have completed at least a Master’s degree in a related field and written their dissertation on a relevant topic. Candidates who have submitted their dissertation but have not yet formally graduated may be apply. This full-time (35 hours) fixed-term post is for six months from as early as 13 January 2020. The role is based in Edinburgh but involves some international travel and field research in Berlin. Salary: Grade 6 (£28,331 - £32,816) Closing date: 06 November 2019 Section 1: Job Details Job Title: Research Assistant (Urban refugees and digital labour) Department/School: School of Social and Political Science Unit (if applicable): Social Anthropology Line Manager: Dr Andreas Hackl Section 2: Job Purpose This research assistant role is fully integrated into the ESRC funded project ‘Digital livelihoods: towards a just gig economy for urban refugees.’ The role of the Research Assistant is to support the project through original research, primarily in the field site Berlin, and by collaborating with the Principal Investigator, Dr Andreas Hackl, on other project-related tasks and activities. Section 3: Main Responsibilities (Approx. % of time) 1. 40% - Conduct and support empirical research on the digital work lives of refugees in the city of Berlin with a focus on: a. Interviews and participatory research with Syrian refugees who are working or seeking work in digital fields, such as computer programming, web design, microwork, online freelancing, and jobs in the wider online gig economy. b. Interviews and participatory research in digital skill training programmes that target refugees. c. Meetings with civil society, public sector, and private sector initiatives in the wider field of digital technology and refugees. 2. 20% - Collect qualitative and/or quantitative data on digital work and remote education for refugees online and on social media. 3. 10% - Contribute to the project’s web presence and social media channels through content creation, sourcing materials and contributions, and editing and updating content. 4. 10% - Review literatures on the research topic and write-up focused reviews for future use by the research team. 5. 10% - Assist in the documentation of the emerging research outcomes and collaborate with the Principal Investigator on the write-up of a joint working paper or a joint publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 6. 10% - Fulfil other project-related tasks as they arise, such as administration, communication, and event organisation. 4. Planning and Organising Once there is a concrete programme and schedule of work agreed with the project PI, you are expected to plan and manage the main tasks and responsibilities independently, but always in coordination with the PI. Regular reporting of progress and meetings with the PI will be a crucial component of this organising process. 5. Problem Solving You are expected to use initiative and experience to be able to pro-actively work on the project, while ensuring that the project PI is aware of and supportive of the work you are undertaking at all stages. The PI will usually be available to provide support, advice, and ideas. 6. Decision Making Independent decision making will be expected on most day-to-day activities, in line with the priorities and objectives of the project and as agreed with the project PI in advance. At the same time, the role will involve close collaboration with the PI and other individuals on issues such as: research design and overall planning, setting of main priorities for research, analysis, producing written outputs, knowledge exchange with project partners and stakeholders. Overall timelines and objectives are set by the project manager. Level of direction given: the project PI will provide detailed guidance and advice on your role within the project. 7. Key Contacts/Relationships As part of the project you will be fully embedded in the social anthropology subject area at the University of Edinburgh. You will further be linked to the cross-subject international development cohort at the School of Social and Political Science. The project is also embedded in wider networks of the Edinburgh Centre for Data, Culture & Society at the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job Essential • Appropriate degree, with relevant postgraduate or applied research experience. Normally a Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification and/or experience in social anthropology or a related field in the social sciences and humanities, including development studies. • Demonstrable experience of working on issues relating to refugee situations, refugee governance, and humanitarianism. • Demonstrable knowledge of the wider issues and debates around digital society and digital economies. • A proven ability to conduct high-quality research independently. • A proven ability to write high-quality texts for a variety of audiences, and communicate complex issues clearly. Desirable • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods and tools used in social data science and internet research. • A track record of published research and writing on themes related to the research project, including articles in academic journals, blogs, publications in the public media, or contributions to reports of NGOs and other relevant institutions. • Experience of collaborative work in research. • Working knowledge of German and/or Arabic. • Experience working with private sector digital platforms and initiatives. • Experience working with NGOs and International Organizations. 9. Job Context and any other relevant information This full-time (35 hours) fixed-term post is for six months from as early as 13 January 2020. The role is based in Edinburgh but involves some international travel and field research in Berlin. The role is part of a research project that started in May 2019 and runs until April 2021. You can find more information about the project on the website here: https://refugeework.net/ Funded by the ESRC UK, the research project runs for two years (2019-2021) and focuses on digital work practices among refugees in two cities: Berlin and Beirut. The Research Assistant will focus on the field site Berlin. Although the position is based at the University of Edinburgh, the role involves about two months of residential field research in Berlin. The project will cover travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs for the Research Assistant during this period of fieldwork. The Principal Investigator will join the Research Assistant for about two weeks of the fieldwork period in Berlin, to offer guidance and assistance, although he will primarily focus on the second field site (Beirut). Application Procedure All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments. Please submit your CV and a covering letter as part of your application. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not. Interviews are expected to take place in early December 2019. The closing date is 5pm on [insert date]. ---------------------- Dr Andreas Hackl Lecturer, Social Anthropology School of Social and Political Science University of Edinburgh, UK The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

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