May 2021 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Polymedia
by Traci Belanger 11 Jul '25

11 Jul '25

Hi everyone, does anyone have suggestions for articles on "polymedia" or specifically how polymedia interacts with media ecology? Thanks so much! Traci Belanger --- May all winds at your back inspire you, and may you have harmony and peace today.

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For my US colleagues: an 8 minute survey, where your input might make a difference
by Patricia Aufderheide 08 May '25

08 May '25

I know, exactly what you don't need to do at this crazy point in the semester. At AU, Profs. Aram Sinnreich, Joseph Graf and I have been working with Electronic Frontier Foundation and New Media Rights to design a survey about DMCA exemption language and its accessibility. Would you be interested in taking, sharing with your students and networks, including putting on social media the survey link <http://bit.ly/2nEfY8j>? Here it is again: *http://bit.ly/2nEfY8j <http://bit.ly/2nEfY8j>* Your generosity much appreciated! 👏 -- Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication Founder, Center for Media & -- Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication 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 paufder(a)american.edu 202-885-2069 office <202-643-5356> 240-643-4805 mobile <202-643-5356> "The world we have received also belongs to those who follow us." --Pope Francis

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Non-software uses of GitHub
by Jim Herbsleb 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

I’m looking for GitHub repositories that are used for things other than software, especially where users are actively collaborating rather than just putting together static collections. So far, we have found a few books being written, some musical transcriptions being error-checked, and some policy documents maintained online. Does anyone know of any examples of these or other categories? Any pointers much appreciated. Happy to share what we find with anyone interested. Jim ---- Jim Herbsleb Carnegie Mellon University http://herbsleb.org/ Google Scholar profile: https://goo.gl/sv3p7l

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Funded PhDs on Social Research in "Just" (as in justice) Technology with ESC at the University of Michigan
by Christian Sandvig 05 Nov '21

05 Nov '21

Dear AoIR colleagues, I decided to go to grad school when one of my profs suggested it. I was not very clear about what a PhD was. That conversation changed my life. I'm writing to ask you to consider having this conversation with your promising students right now. It's that time of year. It's a little personally embarrassing, but in order to improve our outreach to prospective students I've been experimenting with video. My video is a little bit like a late-night TV ad for a used-car lot, except I'm advertising getting a PhD in Information OR Communication & Media with my lab group. Here it is: https://lab.csandvig.people.si.umich.edu/join/ Some additional details: Infra.Lab is a multi-disciplinary research group at the University of Michigan dedicated to “just” technology (as in justice) at the ESC Center. We investigate the intermingled social and technical aspects of computing and digital media technologies and their implications for society. Our approaches include human-computer interaction; science and technology studies; policy research on politics, laws, and institutions; design; software development; artistic practice; and more. Our recent work has focused on racial and gender discrimination by algorithmic systems, negative consequences of targeted advertising, inequality and social media use, and the future of technology policy. We are recruiting prospective Ph.D. students with interests in tech and human rights, civil rights, social justice, racial justice, and inequality. We are building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We particularly want applications from people who are interested in addressing the perspectives or needs of groups that have been historically underserved by academic research, computing, and digital media. - The deadline is usually December 1 every year. - The GRE exam isn’t required. - If the application fee (US$70-90) is a barrier to your application, we will waive the fee. Write to the relevant graduate program’s email address (see link above) for help with this. - The Ph.D. is full-time. Part-time degrees are not possible. - The Ph.D. takes about 4 years to complete. Usually the first 2 years involve mostly coursework, the last 2 years involve mostly research. - You do not have to pay tuition to get a Ph.D. Successful applicants are paid for 4 years as apprentice teachers and/or researchers. During this time you will make about US$45,000 per year for about 8 months of work each year. Summer funding is also possible. You also receive health, life, and dental insurance. - You don’t need a master’s degree to apply, but it may help you stand out from other applicants. - You DO need a bachelor’s degree to apply, but it does not have to be in these particular fields. You can apply with any bachelor’s degree if you make the case that you have some relevant background or experience. - We offer additional funding and incentives to those students whose admission will reduce disparities in graduate education. You do not need to apply separately for this funding, you will automatically be considered. - You do not need to be a US Citizen to be admitted, or to receive the funding described here. International students are common. - Either qualitative or quantitative skills/interests are relevant to us. - You do not need to be a computer programmer. - You do not need to have gone to a fancy school for your undergraduate degree. There is more information at the URL above. Please feel free to forward this email. Sincerely, Christian -- Christian Sandvig Director, Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC) H. Marshall McLuhan Collegiate Professor Information, Communication & Media University of Michigan http://esc.umich.edu/ -- http://umich.edu/~csandvig/

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Fast Capitalism - CFP - Online Extremism and the Insurrection of 2021
by Arditi, David M 15 Jun '21

15 Jun '21

Colleagues, Fast Capitalism has a Call For Papers<https://fastcapitalism.journal.library.uta.edu/index.php/fastcapitalism/ann…> titled "Online Extremism and the Insurrection of 2021." Fast Capitalism is seeking critical essays for possible inclusion in a special section of an upcoming 2021 issue about the online right-wing extremism. Our goal is to gather both scholarly essays and political commentaries to present critical analyses of the growing numbers of white supremacists and how they have organized their disruptive political networks online. Further details below. Please let me know if you have any questions and please circulate to your networks. Thank you, David Dr. David Arditi Associate Professor of Sociology Director of the Center for Theory University of Texas at Arlington Author of Getting Signed: Record Contracts, Musicians and Power in Society<https://www.palgrave.com/us/book/9783030445867> CFP: Fast Capitalism is seeking critical essays for possible inclusion in a special section of an upcoming 2021 issue about the online right-wing extremism. Our goal is to gather both scholarly essays and political commentaries to present critical analyses of the growing numbers of white supremacists and how they have organized their disruptive political networks online. When right-wing extremists stormed the Capitol of the United States on January 6, 2021, these proliferating white supremacist groups, who strongly supported then-President Donald Trump were out on full display. While the Ku Klux Klan, skinhead groups, and other earlier right-wing extremists often struggled to find mainstream acceptability, the Trump presidency coyly maintained "there were good people" all across the ideological spectrum in America. This positive attitude toward right-wing extremism changed with the virtual spaces that the online ecosystem that connected such groups to foment insurrection. Online messaging boards from Reddit to 4chan and 8chan created a place where right-wing extremists can meet and share ideas quite openly. From these message sites, memes and video content have proliferated across many other social media websites as well as hard-right news sites, such as Breitbart and One America News Network. These propaganda messages have swamped major segments of the Internet as people who historically do not follow the news or world events have found their best-pitched memes amusing enough for them and others to post, which then have spread like wildfire. January 6, 2021 was the culmination of years of steady expansion of right-wing extremism from 1990s militia movements to the 2010 Tea Party movement. With a favorable leader in the White House, white supremacists began endorsing Republican politicians who went from dog-whistle politics to endorsing racist ideas. When Trump refused to denounce white supremacists at the Unite the Rite Rally in Charlottesville, VA in August, 2017, it released the floodgates for these movements as a sign that his administration openly accepted these extremists as his supporters. We are interested in essays that address this topic in the following areas: * Platforms (ex. 8chan, 4chan, Reddit, Parler etc.) * Social media policies and regulation * Capitalism and the spread of new hate groups * White Supremacy * Misogyny * January 6 and the use of digital media * Surveillance and tracking the insurrectionists * Countervailing centrist and/or left-wing anti-extremist political groups Please review the Author Guidelines<https://fastcapitalism.journal.library.uta.edu/index.php/fastcapitalism/abo…> and submit your articles through the online system. If you have any questions, please contact David Arditi, Editor, darditi(a)uta.edu<mailto:darditi@uta.edu>. Submissions are due by June 7, but feel free to reach out if you need more time.

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sign on opportunity re ICANN and IP-creep
by Patricia Aufderheide 01 Jun '21

01 Jun '21

Here's an issue that's both important and down in the weeds (welcome to our world). You might be aware that "private voluntary commitments" <https://www.circleid.com/posts/20200311-the-sad-story-of-private-public-int…> by Internet registries introduce content moderation into domain assignments. Many private entities (e.g. large copyright holders) and governments (especially law enforcement) want to use for their own purposes.<https://www.circleid.com/posts/20201123-icann-should-keep-content-regulatio…> In other words, SOPA/PIPA privatized. Michael Karanicolas (UCLA) drafted this letter, and Rebecca Tushnet (Harvard) has been touching it up. It would be good for ICANN to know that outside observers are paying attention. Could you sign it? Sadly, the deadline is 3pm TUESDAY. If you can, please let Kathy Kleiman (NOT ME!!) know. She's cc'd here, and she's at kleiman(a)wcl.american.edu. Just let her know what you want your signature/title/association to say. Thanks, I know this is pretty arcane, but that's how the sausage is made. The letter: To the ICANN Board and ICANN Community: As outside observers of the operations of the Subsequent Procedures PDP Working Group, we write to express our concern at the shape of the final recommendations, and particularly with regard to ICANN’s quiet drift into the politically charged world of content moderation. Specifically, we are concerned that the lack of proper action to address the dangers posed by Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs), which represent a significant challenge not only to the integrity of the Final Report, but to ICANN’s mission as a whole. Regulating the content of online speech has long been the third rail of ICANN’s operations, and for good reason. ICANN’s status as the steward of key technical Internet functions depends, in large part, on its ability to chart a neutral course through areas of political controversy, in order to maintain the trust of all of its diverse stakeholders. An essential part of this is that ICANN must interpret its technical mission narrowly, in terms of facilitating universal resolvability, and without regard to the content being communicated. The bounds of permissible speech are a matter for elected governments to address, not for ICANN. The lack of clear definitions around the appropriate scope of Registry Voluntary Commitments poses a danger to this function, insofar as it places ICANN as an enforcer over rules which have the potential to drag the organization into any number of controversial political areas. Around the world, online platforms like Facebook and Twitter are under fire from all sides as a result of their involvement in content questions. Delegating the decision-making to a third-party arbiter would not absolve ICANN over responsibility for the outcomes of these decisions any more than the Facebook Oversight Board has relieved Facebook of the intense scrutiny that follows its decisions. Is this really the future that ICANN wants? While neutrality in the content debates is not a practical option for the platforms, it is absolutely a position which ICANN can adopt. The alternative would be to open ICANN up to a flood of new legislation around the world targeting entities that are responsible for moderating content. Given ICANN’s recent experience with California’s Attorney General examining the sale of Public Interest Registry, it is difficult to see why the organization would voluntarily subject itself to similar scrutiny from global governments over decisions to ban (or not to ban) particular domain names for alleged violations of content moderation commitments that have been incorporated into contracts with ICANN. These moves open up an entirely new attack surface for governments, and threaten to undercut one of the organization’s main claims to universal legitimacy: the idea that it stays out of such controversial debates. By submitting their report without addressing these problems, or examining problematic existing Public Interest Commitments (now called RVCs) and closely evaluating ICANN’s limited scope and authority, the Working Group is essentially endorsing registries’ ability to continue and expand this practice, writing new terms into their contracts with ICANN, and expecting the organization to support their enforcement. This is anathema not only to ICANN’s role in the global Internet, but to the multistakeholder-driven contracting process under which it is meant to operate. It is simply unacceptable for the Working Group to ignore these concerns, or to kick them down the road, to be addressed by an indeterminate process at some indeterminate time. We write to you, the ICANN Board, with the hope that you will carefully consider the implications of this decision on ICANN’s mission and future operations and create proper scope for what you will accept and enforce as future Registry Voluntary Commitments. Yours Sincerely, Michael Karanicolas, Executive Director, UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy Mitch Stoltz, Senior Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication, American University, and Fellow, American University Internet Governance Lab Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication (she/they) 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 Zoom Office Hours: https://american.zoom.us/j/96788556467?pwd=eFNpa2JMWlZQRm5pT1Z0b3RVUlRXQT09 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! Patricia Aufderheide, University Professor, School of Communication (she/they) 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 Zoom Office Hours: https://american.zoom.us/j/96788556467?pwd=eFNpa2JMWlZQRm5pT1Z0b3RVUlRXQT09 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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Fully funded PhD positions in Digital Sociology and Politics
by Simon Lindgren 01 Jun '21

01 Jun '21

## Call for PhD Proposals DIGSUM is an interdisciplinary academic research centre for the study of the relationship between digital technology and society at Umeå University, Sweden. >> https://www.digsum.org/about Our Digital Sociology group is looking for new PhD candidates >> https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-sociology/research/research-areas/digit… The open positions are fully funded and salaried for four years. The deadline for applications is 28 June 2021. The positions: 1. PhD position in Digital Sociology focusing on internet, social media, politics and civil society 2. PhD position in Digital Sociology focusing on political discourses around AI and automation Read more and apply >> https://www.digsum.org/digsum-feed/phd-positions-in-digital-sociology <https://www.digsum.org/digsum-feed/phd-positions-in-digital-sociology> We look forward to your applications! Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Best wishes, Simon simon.lindgren(a)umu.se <mailto:simon.lindgren@umu.se> --- Simon Lindgren – Professor of Sociology Director of DIGSUM – Centre for Digital Social Research Umeå University digsum.org simonlindgren.com

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CFP: Sex/gender and Religion Online
by Ruth Tsuria 31 May '21

31 May '21

Dear colleagues - please consider submitting your papers to the following special issue: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/digitalmedia_sex_reli… The CFP: With the growing interest in Digital Religion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to promote the intersection of digital media, religion, and sexuality. Relevant questions include "How might the use of new media technology impact religious sexual norms?" and "How do religious users relate to sexuality online?", among others. The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a scholarly space for studies that focus on this intersection. This can include, but is not limited to, research on: * Religious online discussions of sexuality; * Religious LGBTQIA+ individuals' use of digital media; * Religious online dating; * Religion and online pornography; * Online sexualization of religious traditions; * Digital media, religion, sexuality, and intersectionality. While some existing scholarship on digital religion and sexuality does exist (see, for example, Mia Lövheim's Media, Religion and Gender: Key Issues and New Challenges), this area is largely understudied. Submissions are encouraged which consider previous Digital Religion scholarship. However, because of the novelty of this area, submissions from a variety of disciplines are encouraged. Thank you! Ruth Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D. https://works.bepress.com/ruth-tsuria/ Assistant Professor, College of Communication and the Arts

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PostDoc Position with focus on Recommender Systems at MediaFutures @ University of Bergen, Norway (Deadline: 5th July 2021)
by Christoph Trattner 31 May '21

31 May '21

** Please share ** Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in Recommender Systems at MediaFutures: Research Center for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation @ University of Bergen, Norway *Apply here:* https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/207078/postdoctoral-research… *Application deadline:* 5th July 2021 *Position description:* There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position at MediaFutures within Recommender Systems in WP2 - User Modelling, Personalization & Engagement. The position is for a period of 3 years. We are looking for an ambitious and self-motivated colleague to join us in MediaFutures: Research Center for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation. MediaFutures is a new center for research-based innovation at the Department for information science and media studies, University of Bergen, and will be located at Media City Bergen. The center is a part of the Norwegian Research Council’s Research-based Innovation scheme. MediaFutures will in cooperation with industry partners from news media and media technology research topics like media experiences, recommender technology, content production and analysis, content interaction and availability, and Norwegian language technology. The goal is to develop responsible technological solutions to societal challenges like AI, fake news, echo chambers and political polarization. The results will be new digital tools, analytical methods, and content types for the future of media. The center will also perform research training within media technology and innovation. This will create outputs such as new patents, prototypes, research articles and software, as well and innovative start-up companies. Read more about the center at www.mediafutures.no. -- ------------------------------------------------------ Full Prof. Dr. DI Christoph Trattner BSc Director - SFI MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation University of Bergen Department of Information Science and Media Studies Fosswinckelsgt. 6, 5007 Bergen, Norway E-mail: christoph.trattner(a)uib.no Tel: +47 453 96 180 Homepage: https://christophtrattner.com Research Group: https://dars.uib.no ------------------------------------------------------

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SIMULCAST: AfNOG Day 2021
by Joly MacFie 31 May '21

31 May '21

I will segment this into sessions when done. Vint is up next. ISOC Live posted: "On Monday May 31 2021, at 09:00 UTC, the Africa Network Operators Group (AfNOG) will hold AfNOG Day 2021 as part of the Africa Internet Summit 2021 SPEAKERS Nancy Dotse, Secretariat, AfNOG Dr. Nii Narku Quaynor, Convenor, AfNOG Dr. Dawit Bekele, Regional" [image: livestream] <http://livestream.com/internetsociety/afnog21>On* Monday May 31 2021*, at *09:00 UTC*, the *Africa Network Operators Group <https://www.afnog.org/>* (AfNOG) will hold *AfNOG Day 2021 <https://afnog.org/afnog2021/afnogday.php>* as part of the *Africa Internet Summit 2021 <https://2021.internetsummit.africa/>* *SPEAKERS* *Nancy Dotse*, Secretariat, AfNOG *Dr. Nii Narku Quaynor*, Convenor, AfNOG *Dr. Dawit Bekele*, Regional Vice President - Africa, Internet Society *Dr. Philip Smith*, Senior Network Engineer, Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) *Israel Bionyi Nyoh*, Communications and Outreach Manager, Internet Society *Jody van Wyk*, Head, Telecom Infra Project Africa *Subramanian Moonesamy*, Chairman, Board of Directors, AFRINIC *Noah Maina*, AfNOG *Logan Velvindron*, Infrastructure Security Engineer, AFRINIC *Prof. Shin'ichiro Matsuo*, Research Professor, Georgetown University *Vint Cerf*, Chief Internet evangelist, Google *Alain Aina*, Prof. Shin'ichiro Matsuo *LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/internetsociety/afnog21 <http://livestream.com/internetsociety/afnog21>* *AGENDA https://2021.internetsummit.africa/programme <https://2021.internetsummit.africa/programme>* *TWITTER #afnog2021 <https://bit.ly/3fYEOY5> #AIS21 @AfNOGWorkshops @AIS_Africa* *SIMULCASTS* *https://youtu.be/cy6CtSDQ2OU* <https://youtu.be/cy6CtSDQ2OU> (EN) *https://youtu.be/29nsIzPJ1BY <https://youtu.be/29nsIzPJ1BY> *(FR) *https://www.twitter.com/ISOC_Live/ <https://www.twitter.com/ISOC_Live/>* *https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive <https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive>* *https://www.facebook.com/ISOCAfrica/live <https://www.facebook.com/ISOCAfrica/live>* *ARCHIVE* *https://archive.org/details/afnog21 <https://archive.org/details/afnog21>* *Permalink* https://isoc.live/14076/ - -- -------------------------------------- Joly MacFie +12185659365 -------------------------------------- -

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