August 2026 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Online Convening: LLMs are the Third Wave of Automated Content Moderation
by Engler, Alex C. 02 Sep '26

02 Sep '26

Hello AoIR colleagues (with apologies for cross-posting), I’m writing to invite you to Penn MEDIATED’s online convening, LLMs are the Third Wave of Automated Content Moderation. The convening will be held via Zoom on September 10 from 11-12:30 EST and you can register at this link<https://upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/CbOYuDe0TvSpcmoY--eKPg#/registration>. You can see the overview, agenda, and speaker lineup below—it has researchers (including own affiliated faculty Yphtach Lelkes and Danaé Metaxa) and technologists who will examine how LLMs are changing online platform’s content moderation, how they compare to prior automated systems, and what the emerging research in this space tells us. We’ll also hear from practitioners building a new ecosystem of custom LLM-based moderation systems. LLMs are the Third Wave of Automated Content Moderation Content moderation is critical to protecting users against harmful and illegal online content, although it may also restrict free expression. Over the past two decades, platforms have increasingly turned to automation to perform content moderation at scale. First through hashing algorithms and later through predictive machine learning methods, many large platforms have automated over 90% of content moderation actions. Today, online platforms are increasingly exploring using large language models (LLMs), as a new component of the content moderation technology stack. With online platforms conducting mass layoffs of trust and safety teams, while also increasing investments in their AI development, this convening will explore how LLMs fit in the content moderation landscape and what that means for platforms, policymakers, and users. This convening brings together researchers, technologists, and practitioners to examine what this third wave of automated content moderation means in practice. We will explore how LLMs are being deployed by platforms today, how they compare to prior automated systems, and what the emerging research in this space tells us. We will hear from experts who are building their own custom systems using LLMs for content moderation and researchers who study their implications for information integrity. The conversation will also examine the policy environment shaping adoption: regulatory frameworks in the EU, Brazil and India, are setting new expectations for the speed and transparency of content moderation decisions, incentivizing further automation by online platforms. We will share a pre-read working paper on this topic in advance of this event. [Register at this link<https://upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/CbOYuDe0TvSpcmoY--eKPg#/registration>] Agenda Alex Engler - Welcome and Introduction Alice Hunsberger - A trust and safety professional’s view Brief Presentations * Dave Willner & Samidh Chakrabarti - A demo of Zentropi’s content classification tool and how it is different from other LLM-based content moderation approaches * Camille François & Juliet Shen - Overview of open-source tooling for LLM-based content moderation and the importance of cross sectoral collaboration in this space * Audience Q&A Research Presentations * Professor Yphtach Lelkes and Neil Fasching share findings from their recent paper: Model-Dependent Moderation: Inconsistencies in Hate Speech Detection Across LLM-based Systems<https://aclanthology.org/2025.findings-acl.1144/> * Professors Danaé Metaxa and Sorelle Friedler discuss their recent work: Identity-related Speech Suppression in Generative AI Content Moderation<https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.13725> * Audience Q&A Discussion and Open Questions * Societal implications of LLMs in content moderation (Firestarter: Dia Kayyali * Policy developments are shaping LLM content moderation (Firestarter: Prithvi Iyer) Closing Remarks Speakers * Alice Hunsberger, Head of Trust and Safety, Musubi * Dave Willner, Co-Founder, Zentropi * Samidh Chakrabarti, Co-Founder, Zentropi * Camille François, President, ROOST * Juliet Shen, Head of Partnerships, ROOST * Yphtach Lelkes, Associate Professor, Annenberg School for Communications, UPenn * Neil Fasching, Postdoctoral Researcher, UPenn * Danaé Metaxa, Raj and Neera Singh Term Assistant Professor of Computer & Information Science, UPenn * Sorelle Friedler, Shibulal Family Professor of Computer Science, Haverford College Alex C. Engler Executive Director, Penn MEDIATED Penn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy<https://infodem.upenn.edu/> The University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutmann Hall #506 acengler(a)upenn.edu ** Want to understand what ails our information ecosystem? ** ** Get our Newsletter<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/2017639/1984707/…> | Follow us on BlueSky<https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xkug7clrldzrj7rktb2jewsk> or LinkedIn<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-center-on…> **

3 2

[AoIR HQ] Call for 2027 Flashpoint Symposium Proposals
by Association Coordinator 31 Aug '26

31 Aug '26

The Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) is seeking proposals for one-or two-day AoIR Flashpoint Symposia to take place before the end of August 2027. As the 2027 AoIR conference takes place in Rimini, Italy, a preference is given to proposals for locations outside of Europe and North- America. An AoIR Flashpoint Symposium is a small event that provides an opportunity to deepen or foster conversations about internet research among regions, groups, and/or thematic research areas that have thus far been underrepresented in the Association of Internet Researchers and its conferences. The Association is making available funding of up to US$8,000 for the purpose of supporting a maximum two-day symposium that will contribute to the life and mission of AoIR and feed into its annual conference. Each symposium will be a standalone event to take place in a region of the world that differs from that of the 2027 annual conference. Preference will be given to regions and locations where an AoIR conference has not yet been held, but where at least one active AoIR member, who will be on the Flashpoint Symposium planning committee, resides. We also require that the symposium make a contribution to the main 2027 AoIR conference in some way (e.g., a panel, pre-conference workshop, or another format that presents key contributions and outcomes from the symposium). In addition to local participants, all AoIR members are invited to attend the Flashpoint Symposium. Deadline for the submission of this proposal is 2 November 2026, with a decision returned as soon as possible. Proposals should be emailed to symposia [at] aoir [dot] org by 2 November, 2026. Proposers are invited to engage in conversation with Sarah T. Roberts (prez [at] aoir [dot] org) and Andra Siibak (vp [at] aoir [dot] org) if you have questions or anything you’d like to discuss. Proposals should: * Be no more than 1-2 pages in length. * Outline a distinct issue or theme to be addressed by the symposium. * Include a proposed date(s) (between 1 April and 31 August) and schedule for the one- or two-day event, and identify potential keynote speakers (keeping in mind AoIR’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity). Note: the proposal should ideally not suggest parallel sessions but rather envision a day of consecutive sessions (i.e. a single stream only). * Include a brief description of the leadership team’s history with AoIR and their plans for future involvement. * Demonstrate how this Flashpoint Symposium will connect with AoIR more broadly. * Include a preliminary budget that demonstrates in-kind support and/or sponsorship from the host institution(s) and creates a preliminary plan for cost items. Please note that AoIR funding is not to be allocated for the funding of participant travel costs, staff costs in support of the symposium’s organization, or indirect costs (such costs must be borne by local sponsorship), but may include keynote honoraria, travel of keynote speakers, meals, venue or labor costs. * Indicate how regional and transnational graduate students will be encouraged to participate. * Include a discussion of projected outcomes from this symposium and its potential for ongoing benefit to AoIR more broadly (e.g., AoIR conference panel, special issue, etc.). A selection of organizers and delegates should make a firm commitment to present key contributions and outcomes from the Flashpoint Symposium at the year’s annual conference AoIR’s commitment to the symposium will include: * Support for promotion and administration through our various channels and platforms (e.g. via organization social media accounts and email lists), as well as limited AoIR administrative support. * Up to $8,000 USD disbursed in the form of reimbursements and invoices to cover costs related to organizing the symposium. * Mentorship from members of AoIR Executive Committee related to the organization of the symposium and subsequent deliverables/outcomes. * Allocation of one session slot (panel, roundtable, fishbowl, experimental session, or pre-conference workshop) on the annual AoIR conference program to the symposium organizers. This session is invited and will be planned jointly by the symposium organizers, the AoIR Executive Committee, and the AoIR Conference organizers in order to present the symposium’s major themes and outcomes. It must involve several participants selected from among the organizers, keynote speakers, and/or other participants of the symposium in order to allow the symposium conversation to continue at the main annual conference. Proposals will be ranked in relation to their ability to: * Advance AoIR’s goal of diversification of membership and the expansion of geographical presence at the annual AoIR conference. * Address a theme, topic, or issue not yet prominent in AoIR’s annual conferences. * Demonstrate a commitment to encouraging graduate student participation, particularly from those in the host region. * Demonstrate capacity for carrying out the symposium in a manner that contributes to the benefit of AoIR and the individual organizer(s). * Demonstrate a commitment to present outcomes at the annual AoIR conference. This listing does not imply any ranking in the importance of these requirements. Please submit your proposals to symposia [at] aoir [dot] org by 2 November 2026. Best, Emerson (she/her) AoIR Communications and Membership Coordinator ac(a)aoir.org<mailto:ac@aoir.org> Looking for Michelle? After nine years, Michelle has officially stepped down from her position at AOIR. I'm Emerson, and I'll be stepping in to continue her work. As I'm sure anyone familiar with Michelle knows, I have big shoes to fill, and I appreciate your patience as I get up to speed!

1 0

Hemangini Gupta on tech work in Bangalore
by Ilana Gershon 31 Aug '26

31 Aug '26

Dear Colleagues, This Monday on the CaMP blog, Hemangini Gupta answers Aditi Surie's question about her book, *Experimental Times:* *Startup Capitalism and Feminist Futures in India. * www.campanthropology.org Best, Ilana Press blurb: *Experimental Times* is an in-depth ethnography of the transformation of Bengaluru/Bangalore from a site of "backend" IT work to an aspirational global city of enterprise and innovation. The book journeys alongside the migrant workers, technologists, and entrepreneurs who shape and survive the dreams of a "Startup India" knitted through office work, at networking meetings and urban festivals, and across sites of leisure in the city. Tracking techno-futures that involve automation and impending precarity, Hemangini Gupta details the everyday forms of experimentation, care, and friendship that sustain and reproduce life and labor in India's current economy.

1 0

Learning & Teaching Conference: A Focus on Pedagogy 2026 - Across Teaching, Theory, Technologies & Times
by Conference＠Architecture_MPS 31 Aug '26

31 Aug '26

Dear AOIR Members, We are sharing a Call for Papers for the *Focus on Pedagogy Conference, 2026*. Education is continually evolving as technologies, theories, disciplines and social contexts reshape how we teach and learn. *Focus on Pedagogy 2026* explores this changing landscape across art, design, social sciences, STEM, health, media, humanities, environmental sciences and beyond. Themes include AI, studio teaching, problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, ungrading, peer learning and more. A collaboration between Glasgow School of Art, University of San Francisco, Bangkok University, Chuo University Tokyo, UC Copenhagen and the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Mexico. Publications by Routledge. *Conference Type: * Virtual (Zoom, pre-recorded and written paper submissions accepted) *Conference dates:* November 18-20, 2026 *Abstract submission deadline: 10 October 2026* *Conference details and Call for Papers*: https://amps-research.com/conference/learning-teaching/ *Contact email* conference(a)amps-research.com Best regards, Sarita Sharma AMPS Research ______________________ Conference Team www.architecturemps.com <http://architecturemps.com/>

1 0

Goffman in the Open, September 18: Three OA books and a series launch
by Park, David 30 Aug '26

30 Aug '26

mediastudies.press invites you to join Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz and Yves Winkin for the launch of the Goffman in the Open book series. The free, one-hour onlineevent will highlight the first three books in the series: Winkin’s From Erving to Goffman: A Work in Performance? (2026), Leeds-Hurwitz’s Mapping Goffman’s Invisible College (2025), and Goffman’s 1953 dissertation, Communication Conduct in an Island Community (2026, with an introduction by Winkin)—all diamond open access. Leeds-Hurwitz and Winkin will speak about the backstories of their books, with Winkin adding details about his visit to Unst, the Scottish island-siteof Goffman’s dissertation fieldwork. Plenty of time will be set aside for Q&A. * September 18, 2026 * 14:00 UTC (10am EDT/3pm BST/4pm CET) * One hour * Register here: https://www.mediastudies.press/goffman-in-the-open The Goffman in the Open Series: https://www.mediastudies.press/goffman-in-the-open-series Winkin, From Erving to Goffman: A Work in Performance? https://www.mediastudies.press/from-erving-to-goffman-a-work-in-performance Leeds-Hurwitz, Mapping Goffman’s Invisible College https://www.mediastudies.press/mapping-goffman Goffman’, Communication Conduct in an Island Community https://www.mediastudies.press/communication-conduct-in-an-island-community mediastudies.press is a scholar-led, nonprofit, no-fee open access publisher in the media, film, and communication studies fields. Questions? Email press(a)mediastudies.press<mailto:press@mediastudies.press>

1 0

Tenure-Track position in AI policy and governance at Bowdoin College
by Laura Henry 29 Aug '26

29 Aug '26

Dear Colleagues, Please consider applying for this tenure-track position! Assistant Professor of Government and Legal Studies - Bowdoin College - Public Policy and Regulation of AI Bowdoin College’s Department of Government and Legal Studies invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty appointment in comparative public policy or governance at the Assistant Professor level, beginning July 1, 2027. We seek candidates whose research involves the law or regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) or the use of AI in policy-making; comparative research across countries or policy areas is a plus. The successful candidate will teach two courses per semester across a range of offerings, including participation in the rotation of the department’s introductory course in comparative politics or international relations. Bowdoin is particularly interested in candidates dedicated to undergraduate teaching and with a promise of long-term successful research. A Ph.D. in political science or related fields is expected by the date of the appointment. Bowdoin’s Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity aims to critically examine, thoughtfully utilize, and ethically guide AI’s trajectory. A $50 million dollar gift by Reed Hastings funds ten new faculty positions – including this position – across disciplines; supports faculty in AI-related teaching, research, and creative work; sponsors workshops, symposia, and student research; and prepares the next generation of leaders to engage responsibly with the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Bowdoin College offers opportunities for professional development, a fully-funded, year-long pre-tenure sabbatical leave (after three years of teaching and successful reappointment), and regular, generously funded, post-tenure sabbaticals. Support for teaching, grant submission, computing software, and community partnerships in courses is available. The College also offers robust programming and resources for establishing and enhancing mentoring networks. At Bowdoin, we are committed to inclusive excellence, an ongoing collective practice that honors our institutional commitment to provide an outstanding liberal arts education and serve the common good. The College is home to talented students, faculty and staff and we encourage applications from candidates committed to the inclusive instruction and support of a diverse student population, and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. Accessibility during the application and interview stages, as well as once employed, is a priority of the College: https://www.bowdoin.edu/accessibility/index.html. In addition, visa sponsorships for faculty hires are available. Bowdoin College accepts only electronic submissions. Please submit: 1) a cover letter that includes a description of your research; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a statement that describes your teaching philosophy and practice, including how you create inclusive learning environments that prepare students to interact constructively with a diversity of people, spaces, situations, and ideas; 4) a writing sample; and 5) the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation. Letter writers will be automatically contacted upon submission of your application. Review of applications will begin September 21, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated hiring range for this appointment at the assistant professor rank without prior tenure-track experience is $92,000 – $98,000 annually; the salary offered will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and with internal peer equity. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a satisfactory background check. Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine. Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston. Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses. For further information about the College and our department, please visit our website: http://www.bowdoin.edu<http://www.bowdoin.edu/>. Best, Laura Henry — Laura A. Henry William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law and Government Chair, Department of Government and Legal Studies Bowdoin College 9800 College Station Brunswick ME 04011 USA 1-207-725-3558

1 0

New book: Platforms: A Critical Introduction
by Helmond, A. (Anne) 29 Aug '26

29 Aug '26

Dear AoIR community, We are excited to share that our new book, *Platforms: A Critical Introduction*, is now out with Polity! From Instagram and Uber to Alibaba and ChatGPT, platforms shape nearly every aspect of contemporary life. But what exactly are platforms, how do they work, and how did they become so powerful? The book offers an accessible and critical introduction to platforms and platformisation. It approaches platforms as companies, services, and technologies or infrastructures, and introduces key concepts including platform power, governance, and strategy. Drawing on examples from around the world, we examine how platforms shape economies, cultures, and institutions, while also offering practical approaches for analysing platforms. The book is intended for students and scholars across media and communication studies, the social sciences, and the humanities, as well as for anyone interested in understanding the growing role of platforms in society. Table of contents: 1. Introduction: Platforms in culture and society 2. Understanding platforms 3. Profit and power 4. Governance and regulation 5. Conclusion and outlook Use code HVD30 for 30% off at https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=platforms-a-critical-intro… José van Dijck writes: “Helmond and van der Vlist are gifted teachers who help students and faculty find their way in the burgeoning field of platform studies. Platforms is a timely and much-needed book to help us understand the rapidly changing online environment.” Marc Steinberg writes: “This should be the first book you read on platforms. Helmond and van der Vlist provide a masterful introduction and critical guide to understanding platforms. A must-read for students and scholars alike.” To learn more about the book: https://www.politybooks.com/blog-detail/platforms-everywhere-understanding-… Anne Helmond is Associate Professor of Media, Data & Society at Utrecht University. Fernando van der Vlist is Assistant Professor in Critical Data & AI at the University of Amsterdam. Best wishes, Anne and Fernando

1 0

CFP: Collaboration and Trust in AI-Assisted News Production
by Ali, Mohammad 29 Aug '26

29 Aug '26

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to share this Call for Papers for a Frontiers Research Topic, “Collaboration and Trust in AI-Assisted News Production,” for which I am serving as one of the guest editors. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions spanning journalism, communication, HCI, AI, information science, and related fields. Topics include (but are not limited to): * Human-AI collaboration in newsrooms * AI transparency and disclosure * Editorial oversight and accountability * Audience perceptions of AI-generated news * Ethics, bias, and misinformation * AI for local and resource-constrained newsrooms Submission deadline: November 23, 2026 Please feel free to share with colleagues who may be interested and let me know if you have any questions. More information: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81092/collaboration-and-trust-i… Best wishes, Ali Mohammad Ali, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Communication<https://arts-sciences.und.edu/academics/communication/index.html> University of North Dakota<https://und.edu/>, USA Editorial Board Member: Public Relations Review<https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/public-relations-review/about/editori…>

1 0

New research on EdTech and children's rights from the Digital Futures for Children centre
by Sonia Livingstone 26 Aug '26

26 Aug '26

Dear colleagues I wanted to bring to your attention two recent publications from the Digital Futures for Children centre: 1. 'Assessing the impact of using EdTech on children's learning: A scoping review of meta-analyses' (by Kruakae Pothong, Kim Ringmar Sylwander, Sonia Livingstone, and Sandra El Gemayel) Open access link: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/140402/ We conducted a scoping review of meta-studies assessing the impact of using EdTech on children's learning. This review considers 56 meta-analyses, encompassing findings from 2,111 studies, involving many thousands of children worldwide. The evidence shows that gains from EdTech are realised in very particular contexts and conditions of implementation. Thus, we find that learning effects depend on how and by whom technology is deployed and used, rather than on an EdTech technology in isolation. EdTech produces its strongest effects when embedded in active, collaborative and contextually grounded pedagogical approaches. When findings are disaggregated by children with different needs, ages and abilities, the measured impact varies greatly, and the evidence is the weakest for the most vulnerable children. 1. Our anthology 'Children's rights under pressure in a digital world' (edited by Kim R Sylwander, Gazal Shekhawat and Sonia Livingstone) Open access link: https://www.digital-futures-for-children.net/our-work/rights-under-pressure The DFC's first anthology showcases work presented at the ICA 2026 pre-conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Spanning continents, the anthology's papers are organised around five themes: participation, regulation, family, commercial interests, and new technology. We invite readers to engage with the papers and seek conversation and collaboration with our anthology collaborators across the world. You can learn more about the DFC's work here: https://www.digital-futures-for-children.net/our-work All the very best, Sonia Professor Sonia Livingstone OBE, FBA, FRSA, FBPS, FAcSS Department of Media and Communications, FAW.7.01M Digital Futures for Children (DFC) centre, PEL.9.01I digital-futures-for-children.net<http://www.digital-futures-for-children.net/> London School of Economics and Political Science, London WC2A 2AE UK Bio at sonialivingstone.net<http://sonialivingstone.net/> and linkedin.com/in/sonia-livingstone-6b0b8712<http://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-livingstone-6b0b8712/> Zoom lse.zoom.us/my/sonialivingstone<https://lse.zoom.us/my/sonialivingstone>

1 0

CfP: Sociocybernetics, systems theory and AI-mediated society (ISA World Congress, Gwangju 2027)
by Terenzi, Massimo 26 Aug '26

26 Aug '26

Dear All, As agentic AI layers onto algorithmic recommendation systems in our digital environments, there is a profound change in the way that society observes, reacts, and reorganizes itself. We are no longer only watching humans interact with their tools: we are watching feedback loops in which automated systems take part in communication and coordination. In order to investigate these dynamics, we are organizing the session "*Born from Turbulence: Sociocybernetics, Systems Theory, and AI-Mediated Society*" at the *XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology* ("Global Sociology in Turbulent Times", Gwangju, Republic of Korea, 4-10 July 2027). We are writing to Air-L because we would particularly like to hear from the empirical internet researchers of the AoIR community. Our basic claim is that the loop should be the unit of analysis that we take into consideration. Be it the analysis of platform behavior, of attention economies, of synthetic media, or of coordinated activities, understanding the dynamics of the feedback loop is crucial. Instead of attributing humanlike intentionality to the machines, we interpret them as participants in communication and mechanisms of structural coupling (Esposito). We welcome contributions addressing, among others: - Scale and agency: how does the localized operation of AI and recommender systems scale up into the macro feedback dynamics of platforms and publics? - Opacity and observation: is it possible for a social system to observe and reorganize itself when the algorithmic loops mediating the observation are proprietary and opaque? - Platform governance: what could notions like circularity, self-reference, and second-order cybernetics contribute to the governance of AI-mediated ecosystems? Topics include: algorithmic visibility, recommender systems, information disorders, automated coordination, and adjacent areas. Papers addressing the central systemic concepts (feedback, circularity, self-reference) under any theoretical framing are especially welcome. The goal is to make a connection between the empirical study of platforms and systems theory. More details: - Abstracts: up to 300 words, in English - Deadline: 14 October 2026, 24:00 GMT *- Submission: https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2027/webprogrampreliminary/Session2687… <https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2027/webprogrampreliminary/Session2687…>* - Congress guidelines: https://www.isa-sociology.org/isa-events/xxi-world-congress-of-sociology/co… Questions are welcome off-list. With best regards, Massimo Terenzi & Fabio Giglietto (Session organizers, RC51 Sociocybernetics)

1 0