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

work on "ironic" references to physiognomy in online alt-right groups?
by Greenhalgh, Spencer P. 12 Dec '19

12 Dec '19

Hello all, I am currently in the early stages of a study looking at a Twitter group that frequently employs alt-right discourses and memes. Many of the common discourses/memes (e.g., Pepe the Frog, red pill/blue pill) have received a lot of attention in the literature I’ve collected so far, but there are some other recurring discourses that I’m having more trouble finding context for. Are any of you aware of (or could point me to folks who might be aware of) work that discusses “ironic” references to physiognomy (i.e., in this case, the idea that facial structure lends insight into a person’s character/personality/intelligence) among the alt-right? In the data I’m currently looking at, this seems to be tied with frequent references to “forehead size”—seemingly as an undesirable characteristic. I can make some educated guesses about where this discourse originated and how it’s used, but I’d like to be able to tie it to others’ observations. Thanks! Best, Spencer ------ Spencer Greenhalgh, PhD Assistant Professor, School of Information Science College of Communication and Information University of Kentucky spencergreenhalgh.com

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CFP reminder EURovision 2020
by Simone Driessen 12 Dec '19

12 Dec '19

Dear all, a brief reminder because the deadline’s getting closer! Reminder CfP: “EURovision 2020” - a conference exploring music, identity, media, and politics in light of the Eurovision Song Contest Location: Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands When: 6-7 May, 2020 In 2020, the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where it will continue its storied tradition as a media event, television show, and social happening. The event displays both the bridging and bonding capabilities of popular music and hence offers a unique opportunity to collectively explore the role popular music plays in the fast-changing landscape of contemporary culture. This conference aims to bring together scholars from various countries, each with their own perspective, to engage in an international exchange of ideas and current research insights about music production and reception. We invite scholars to join us in Rotterdam 2020 for a two-day conference on popular music research and, more specifically (but not limited to), all that the Eurovision Song Contest places on the scholarly agenda. We welcome cases around Eurovision and more generally, on music fan cultures, festivals, performances, and (media/ television) events. The staging of the ESC invites reflections on music festivals, media events, television’s past and present, fan activity and involvement, and potentially much more. As cities and nations increasingly look to brand themselves through music festivals and experiences, the ESC stands as one of the most prominent examples of the past, present, and future of such trends. While claiming to be “non-political,” the contest reflects wider political developments, raising questions about what it means to belong in this part of the world. Investigating Eurovision means exploring the in/exclusion of certain countries in popular media, their depictions on screen and stage, and the relation of politics and/or language to music and the music industry. The event also invites analyses on how music consumers and avid fans make sense of their (and others’) identity through music (e.g. diversity of the acts/audiences, queerness of performances, or discussions of LGBTQ-rights surrounding events). In essence, the ESC offers a unique opportunity to examine the changing media landscape, identity, nationality, and (geo)politics, not only when addressing the contest itself, but in looking at these issues throughout the contemporary and historical media environment. We invite papers that address diverse themes around the ESC, but not limited to the contest itself, such as: - history, traditions and policies - reception of the event in Europe and other continents - role of music in politics, society, nationality, diversity and/or identity - question on inequalities, specifically class/status, race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability - the commercial music industry vis-a-vis DIY-practices - analysis of sentiments, nostalgia, (anti-)fandom - sexuality and queer viewing practices - performances, costumes and staging - related notions of camp, kitsch and drag - ‘festivalization’, social media and liveness - discussion on (ironic) viewership, television, second screens and streaming - data analysis of tweets and other material, the social audience To further stimulate academic debate on the topic of the ESC and music, identity, media and politics at large, the conference includes two keynotes by Dr. Dean Vuletic (University of Vienna) and Dr. Catherine Baker (University of Hull). More information about the conference can be found here: https://www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/research/eurovision-2020. Please submit an abstract of max. 250 words (plus 3 key words to help classify your submission) and a short biography (including your name, email address, institutional affiliation and position) by December 20 2019, to eurovision(a)eshcc.eur.nl<mailto:eurovision@eshcc.eur.nl>. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out before January 17. There is a fee of 80,00€, which covers participations costs (including lunch and refreshments). There will be an optional conference dinner. We encourage (research/master/PhD) students to apply: please indicate if you’re a student to ‘win’ a scholarship that waves the conference fee. Any questions? Feel free to reach out to the organizing committee: Nicolle Lamerichs (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences), Abby Waysdorf (Utrecht University), Julian Schaap (Erasmus University Rotterdam), or Simone Driessen (Erasmus University Rotterdam) via eurovision(a)eshcc.eur.nl<mailto:eurovision@eshcc.eur.nl>. Dr. Simone Driessen Lecturer in Media & Communication, ESHCC Visiting address Erasmus University Rotterdam Van der Goot Building/ Room M8-48 T: 0031 (10) 408 2468 I am unable to answer emails outside working hours Monday to Friday. I endeavour to respond to student emails within one working day. Friday is my research day, and I will not be responding to emails on that day.

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Surveillance & Society (SSN 2020) Call for papers - Due 15 December 2019
by Bryce Newell 12 Dec '19

12 Dec '19

Colleagues, I wanted to forward this announcement to the list, as I think it might be of interest to many in the AoIR community. The SSN’s Surveillance & Society Conference is a wonderful event. Note that the deadline for abstract submissions is the 15th – just a few days away. Cheers, Bryce Dear all, A final reminder that paper and panel submissions to the 9th biennial Surveillance & Society conference are due on December 15th. We’ve seen some great submissions already and are looking forward to yours, and to welcoming selected paper and panel presenters to Rotterdam June 8-10, 2020. Information regarding the conference is available at https://www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/ssn-2020<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/ssn-2020__;!!C5qS4YX…>. A reminder that the conference will have the following special presentations: * Keynote address: José van Dijck – “Dataism and dataveillance in the age of AI” * Keynote address: Simone Browne – “The Ecologies of Surveillance Technologies” * The SSN 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award * The SSN 2020 Arts Prize We look forward to seeing many of you next year! All the best. Jason Pridmore Call for Papers The 9th biennial Surveillance & Society conference of the Surveillance Studies Network, hosted by Erasmus University Rotterdam on June 8-10 2020 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Visual acuity has historically been measured based on the normative value of 20/20 vision. Yet by the year 2020, the clarity of vision regarding surveillance practices and their implications remains clouded. The metaphors of vision and optics are central – and privileged – components of surveillance research. This conference considers three interrelated lines of sight to bring increased focus on understanding, evaluating and responding to surveillance. First, the benefits of hindsight call attention to surveillant antecedents that inform or impinge upon current developments and practices. Excavations into precursors of contemporary surveillance illuminate potential ideals and expectations for emerging types of monitoring. Second, new trajectories of (in)sight articulate how surveillance serves as a means for the collection and mediation of a wide range of activities and behaviours. Particularly digital forms of information gathering lend themselves to the rapid collation and comparison of surveillance subjects in ways that both render them increasingly visible and subject to various unanticipated, unwanted and unjust interventions. Third, the potentials of foresight allow a focus on the emergent character of surveillance indicative of new modalities of power, flows of information, and challenges to freedom, autonomy and action. Given the penchant for increased forms of control alongside various forms of resistance, the question of surveillance futures and its response remains crucial for continued analysis as well as social and political forms of engagement. These lines of sight prompt different sets of concerns across (sub-)disciplines and approaches. We invite scholars, artists, and practitioners from a wide range of (disciplinary) backgrounds to critically engage with established and emergent surveillance practices, and the various dilemmas, opportunities and ambivalences these represent. Key tracks of the conference include but are not limited to: * Re-envisioning surveillance histories * Foreseeing futures * Regulations, politics and governance of surveillance * Science fiction and dystopian accounts * Organisational, industrial and commercial visions * Surveillance and the workplace * Consumption and surveillance * Medical surveillance * Fraud detection and security * Education and monitoring * Viewing transitions * Migration and refugees * Borders and security * Social movements and protests for change * Electoral monitoring * Digitally mediated surveillance * Algorithms and focused monitoring * Drones and security devices * Social media platforms * Mobile devices, including wearables * Internet infrastructures * IoT devices * Big data analytics * Sensing beyond seeing * Critiques of visual metaphors * Listening and other kinds of sensing * Intersecting concepts and concerns * Racialization * Gender and identity * Families and children * Politics and social justice * Policing and security * Privacy (and critiques thereof) * Ethics (in relation to citizenship, design and/or research) * Bodies and biometrics * Households and neighbourhoods Submission criteria: Interested conference participants are invited to submit abstracts for this proposal. Due to the limited number of sessions, authors are limited to one first author submission for a paper and organisation of one proposed panel. Authors can be second author on other papers, but should not be the (primary) presenter. Paper Proposals Paper sessions will be composed by the Organising Committee based on the individual paper abstracts submitted. Abstracts should consist of: * Name(s) of Author(s) * Affiliation(s) of Author(s) * Proposed Title of Paper * An abstract of up to 200 words Panel Proposals Panels are sessions that bring together a group of presenters with contributions on a topic related to the conference themes. The session format should engage the panellists and audience in interactive discussions and preferably represent a diversity of views on the topic. Panels should be designed to fit in a 90-minute session, and feature a minimum of three presentations. Panel Proposals should consist of: * Name(s) of Organiser(s) * Affiliation(s) of Organiser(s) * Proposed Title of Panel including the indication [PANEL] in the title * An abstract of up to 350 words, including an explanation of why the panel is of interest to the conference, and the proposed format of the panel. * Name(s) and Affiliation(s) of all proposed panellists. NB: Organisers must secure the agreement of all proposed panellists before submitting the Panel Proposal. Submission process and information: All paper and panel proposals should be submitted through the Easy Chair submission system: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ssn2020<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ssn2020_…> For further information, please visit our website at: https://www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/ssn-2020<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/ssn-2020__;!!C5qS4YX…> Key dates: * December 15, 2019: Submission of individual paper abstracts and conference panels * February 15, 2020: Decisions regarding paper and panel proposal acceptance * March 15, 2020: Preliminary conference programme available * May 1, 2020: Submission of full papers and extended abstracts * June 7, 2020: Welcome and opening drinks * June 8-10, 2020: Conference is held in Rotterdam Special concerns or requests can be directed to the dedicated email address for the conference: ssn2020(a)eur.nl<mailto:ssn2020@eur.nl>

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Exec Director Job at Center for Information, Technology & Public Life at UNC
by Alice E. Marwick 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Hello, The new Center for Information, Technology & Public Life (CITAP) at UNC is hiring for an Executive Director position. CITAP's Principal Researchers are Deen Freelon, Zeynep Tufekci, Alice Marwick and Daniel Kreiss. We are open to candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds, and a PhD is not required. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for an alt-ac job or someone in policy, tech, or philanthropy. Please forward to anyone you think might be interested. The job is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/172913 Located in the School of Information and Library Science (SILS), the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) is an interdisciplinary center that brings together principal investigators from SILS, the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and the College of Arts and Science’s Department of Communication to address the roles mediated information plays in globally connected, digitally-mediated social systems. CITAP’s research team of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students will research questions of relevance to information quality, with a particular focus on algorithms, misinformation, polarization, propaganda, and political institutions. CITAP will also work closely with the School of Law and the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy. CITAP is committed to making research and data publicly available to inform technological development, journalistic best practices, and policymaking. Reporting to the SILS Dean, the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) is seeking a dynamic, motivated Executive Director (ED) to provide innovative and visionary leadership for a new research center examining issues of democracy, technology, and society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The ED will provide strategic leadership to advance CITAP’s goals. To this end, s/he will collaborate with the CITAP Principal Investigators to determine and realize strategic research and outreach priorities, as well as represent CITAP’s mission and research to a broad set of audiences including academics, media, and the public. The ED will set development goals and interface with existing and potential funders. The ED is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CITAP, including supervising staff, coordinating faculty and students, fundraising, strategic planning, budget management, communications, and internal and external programming. This is not a research position and the ED is not expected to conduct original research. Principal Functions for the position are: Strategic planning and programming (20%), Revenue Generation (45%), Communications (20%) and supervision of staff, coordinating faculty and students (15%) This position is contingent on CITAP funds. The current funding for the program totals $9.85 million across 6 years. Qualifications -MA/MS, JD, or PhD preferred, in communication, sociology, computer science, information science, political science, information policy, or related field desired. -Ability to secure funding for center through fundraising and grant writing -Experience with project and event management -Understanding of social science research methods, including qualitative, interpretive, and computational approaches -Ability to travel nationally and internationally from Chapel Hill to represent CITAP as needed at conferences and stakeholder meetings. -Outstanding oral and written communication skills including public speaking Experience -The ideal candidate has experience working with academic research, civil society organizations, technology companies, and major foundations, with a record of successful development/fundraising. -A strong understanding of the social consequences of modern digital technology is preferred. -Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of issues around technology and society including communication, marketing, and/or social media -Prefer 5-10 years of experience in: *fundraising, development, or philanthropy as well as successful grant writing; *non-profit, advocacy, government, or civil society organizations; *policy or project management within technology corporations; or *an academic research department, institute, or center. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. Alice E. Marwick, PhD (she/her) Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Principal Researcher, Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill amarwick(a)gmail.com http://www.tiara.org <http://www.tiara.org> http://citap.unc.edu <http://citap.unc.edu>

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3 doctoral positions: caring robots
by Katherine Harrison 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

We are currently accepting applications to 3 fully funded, 4 year PhD positions associated with the research project, ‘The ethics and social consequences of AI and caring robots. Learning trust, empathy and accountability’. (deadline 30 January 2020, start date August 2020). The project is led by Ericka Johnson and Katherine Harrison at Tema Genus, Linköping University, Sweden. More information can be found: https://liu.se/en/research/caring-robots The PhD positions are fully funded (i.e. provide full-employment within the Swedish system, including paid holidays and other standard social benefits, etc.) and can be extended up to a fifth year by teaching opportunities if applicable. Position 1: Designing care robots What bodies are assumed in the design of companion robots, and how does the design of the robot affect its interactions with humans? This project focuses on how care and affect are materialised in the body of the companion robot, with particular critical attention to intersections of gender, ethnicity and ability. An additional area of inquiry could examine how the material design features of the robot's body are mediated through affective programming software to produce a more intimate encounter. Position 2: Learning data for companion robots. How can robots learn to care when collecting data on relevant humans may be limited for ethical reasons? Or if real data contain bias, on which data should you train your data? Generative machine learning techniques (such as generative adversarial networks (GANs)) offer a solution to problems with “real” data such as scarce availability, labour intensity of data labelling, data biases, or privacy intrusiveness. This project comprises a critical inquiry into the production/collection of data sets used to help companion robots learn, and particularly the possibility of using GANs to assist with this. Position 3: The affective space between human and companion robots Current advances in robotics often focuses on refining robots to learn about and respond better to humans. However, interacting well with a robot also requires significant learning on the part of the human participant. This project focuses on the affective space between human and robot, and the work that both participants must learn to do to create an emotional relation characterised by care and trust. Interested? Please contact us with any questions (Ericka Johnson < ericka.johnson(a)liu.se> and Katherine Harrison <katherine.harrison(a)liu.se>) Applications are made through the Linköping University web interface: https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=12652&rmlang=UK

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book review of Julie Cohen, BETWEEN TRUTH AND POWER, and Nic Suzor, LAWLESS
by Patricia Aufderheide 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Are you feeling a little guilty about not having gotten to some of your serious reading in 2019? Happy holidays! I have a stopgap, in the form of a book review from IJOC: https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/13695/2885 Julie E. Cohen, Between Truth and Power: The Legal Constructions of Informational Capitalism | Aufderheide | International Journal of Communication<https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/13695/2885> International Journal of Communication Home; About; Login; Register; Search; Current; Archives; Submit; EDITORIAL BOARD ijoc.org Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication PhD Program Director Founder, Center for Media & Social Impact American University 4400 Massachusetts Av., NW American University, Washington, DC 20016-8017 McKinley Hall 323 @paufder @cmsimpact cmsimpact.org<http://cmsimpact.org> paufder(a)american.edu<mailto:paufder@american.edu> 202-885-2069 office 240-643-4805 mobile Reclaiming Fair Use--t<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/022637419X?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9be…>he second edition is out, with new stories, quizzes and entirely new chapters on the surprising success of fair use in enabling creativity!

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Call for Book Proposals: Critical Digital and Social Media Studies Series, edited by Christian Fuchs
by Christian Fuchs 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Call for Book Proposals: Critical Digital and Social Media Studies, University of Westminster Press Book Series Edited By Christian Fuchs Details and submission: https://uwestminsterpress.blog/2019/12/11/900/ Submission deadline: Monday 20 January 2020 23:59 BST My book series is looking to publish a number of new titles. The books are published as affordable paperbacks and in digital versions open access. Publishing is free of charge to authors. The digital versions are free of charge to readers. An overview of titles published thus far is available here: https://www.uwestminsterpress.co.uk/site/books/series/critical-digital-and-… There is a preference for the submission of proposals for books whose writing can be finished and that can be submitted to UWP within the next 6-15 months. Any prior queries may be sent by e-mail to Andrew Lockett (University of Westminster Press Manager) A.Lockett [A//T//] westminster.ac.uk. Submissions will no longer be accepted by email. All proposals for consideration have to be presented via https://uwp.rua.re. The open access book series “Critical Digital and Social Media Studies” publishes books that critically study the role of the Internet, digital and social media in society and make critical interventions. Titles analyse how power structures, digital capitalism, ideology and social struggles shape and are shaped by digital and social media. They use and develop critical theory discussing the political relevance and implications of studied topics. The series is a theoretical forum for Internet and social media research for books using methods and theories that challenge digital positivism. It also seeks to explore digital media ethics grounded in critical social theories and philosophy. The book series’ understanding of critical theory and critique is grounded in approaches such as critical political economy and Frankfurt School critical theory.

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Magic spell found in online Medieval manuscript.
by Gerard Cheshire 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Apologies for any cross-posting. Dear Air-L Listers, Ever since the publication of journal article The Language and Writing System of Manuscript MS408 Explained, we have been busy translating the plant pages in order to construct the lexicon for the manuscript. They all relate to matters of female reproduction and the complications that can arise, so the plants are used for various medicines, In the latest paper the plant is used as a form of magic 'æa' for the purpose of rectifying the damage done by the extreme physical manipulation 'æora' described in the previous paper. So, the manuscript does contain some magic after all. :0) Here is the link to Plant Series, No. 5: https://ling.auf.net/lingbuzz/004917 Please spread the word far and wide. Kindest regards, Gerard. Dr. Gerard Cheshire. Research Associate. University of Bristol. https://bristol.academia.edu/GerardCheshire

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PhD opportunity (Media Studies, University of Amsterdam)
by Stefania Milan 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Do you dream of doing a PhD in new media, and software/app studies in particular? Do you want to be part of a cutting-edge international network and receive interdisciplinary training in Norway, Spain, Germany, the UK, ect? I am looking for a smart PhD student to work with me in the project “Apps for learning. A software study analysis of mobile applications for language development in children”, to start in June 2020 (you can be in the process of finishing your MA thesis). You will be part of a Marie Curie Innovative Training Network, with other 13 PhD students in fields as diverse as psychology, robotics, engineering, linguistics. You will receive training in the partner universities. You will work with companies (Sponge UK, etc)and social robots, and contribute to help atypical children (e.g., with autism, Down syndrome…) to improve their language skills. To know more visithttps://www.ntnu.edu/e-ladda/recruitment(look for the ESR13 project, which concerns the University of Amsterdam). Please note: as per eligibility rules, prospective PhD students must be "at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formallyentitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.” In addition, "Researchers are required toundertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organization, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country oftheir host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.” I look forward to receiving your applications! Deadline: January 24th. ****Please note I am not able to reply to any inquiry email related to this position**** Best, Stefania Stefania Milan Associate Professor of New Media and Digital Culture, University of Amsterdam |https://stefaniamilan.net Principal Investigator, DATACTIVE (ERC Starting Grant 639379) |https://data-activism.net Principal Investigator, ALEX (ERC Proof of Concept 825974) |https://algorithms.exposed @annliffey | @data_ctive +31627875425 | +31(0)205252416 Fingerprint: 5A7B  6330  5684  FC39  3DC0 67D7  08B3  50AE  6AF5  1B63

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NEW BOOK: Rethinking Ethics Through Hypertext
by Dominic Garcia 11 Dec '19

11 Dec '19

Dear Air-L subscribers, I would like to announce my new book *Rethinking Ethics Through Hypertext *by Emeralds Publishing - (2020). I hope it will be of interest. Contents: Introduction Setting up the Scene: On the Way to Hypertext Chapter 1: The Classical Handling of Ethics: Towards an Emancipative Path Chapter 2: Techniques for a Possible Handling of Ethics in a Post-truth Culture Chapter 3: Transformations of Ethics in Hypertextual Surroundings Chapter 4: Living the Post-truth Culture: Baking the Pre-truth Era through Hypertext Conclusion Negating a Conclusion: A Brief Introduction About the book: This book considers how social justice and authentic freedom of speech could be better tackled through hypertextual writing. Unilinear writing produces an artificial understanding of justice, freedom of speech and hermeneutics. In contrast, hypertextual writing promises an optimistic future which involves less judgment, more empathy and the embracing of difference, so vital in our post-truth culture. The author argues that hypertextual writing is set to have a marked impact on fields like jurisprudence, social sciences and education. Rethinking Ethics Through Hypertext reconciles traditional theories of ethics by re-framing them through hypertextual techniques, bringing together contrasting and contradictory ethical views. It presents compelling insights for scholars of moral philosophy, social justice, hermeneutics and education. for interested reviewers go to: http://emeraldinsight.ereviews.eb20.com/Requests/Step1/9781838674267 Kind regards Dominic Garcia PhD

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