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Job listing: Principal Researcher, studying sociotechnical systems, at MSR New England
by Tarleton L. Gillespie 28 Jul '25

28 Jul '25

Thrilled to share the folowing news: we may have the chance to hire a new, full-time Principal Researcher for the SMC! We haven’t grown our permanent research team in more than a decade, even as the questions we study feel like they change about every hour and half. So this is exciting news for us, and may be exciting news for you or someone you know: We are looking for a social scientist working at the intersection of information technologies, people, institutions, labor, culture, and power; someone who draws on sociotechnical perspectives, and uses qualitative, interpretivist, or mixed methods, to analyze the critical issues of our time. The entire job listing is attached below. But to make the requirement clear: “Principal Researcher” means we are looking for someone with three or more years of experience beyond their PhD (PhD must have been received before July 2022.) We want someone who already has an established research arc, who can devise and direct their own research agenda, and who can think collaboratively with others across disciplines. Microsoft Research (MSR) New England, located in Cambridge MA, provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment, with an open publication policy and close links to top academic institutions around the world.  The job listing<https://jobs.careers.microsoft.com/global/en/job/1849026/Principal-Research…> is live: more detail on the position, instructions for applying, and the application link itself can all be found there. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that are not answered by the job listing. There is no deadline, we will be looking at applications on a rolling basis. Please also circulate this call to your finest colleagues. Thank you! ________________________________ Microsoft Research (MSR) New England is looking for a new full-time, Principal Researcher who brings sociotechnical perspectives to analyze critical issues of our time. You will join the Sociotechnical Systems area, a team of social scientists who draw on empirical and critical methods to study the social, political, and cultural dynamics that shape technologies and their consequences. Our research group spans several disciplines, including anthropology, communication, gender and sexuality studies, history, information studies, law, media studies, organizational and management sciences, science & technology studies, and sociology.  This is an ideal opportunity for a scholar with a Ph.D. plus 3+ years of related research experience to conduct original research addressing critical sociotechnical issues. You would be expected to devise and direct your own research agenda and to think collaboratively with others. We are especially interested in candidates whose work complements any of the following themes: * the politics and public responsibilities of algorithms, generative AI, machine learning, platforms, metrics, and other manifestations of computational cultures  * the intersectional dimensions of identity as they are entangled with sociotechnical systems, including: race, caste, and indigeneity; gender and sexual identities; socioeconomic status and class   * how institutions, organizations, networks, and infrastructures (across sectors and domains) configure and are configured by sociotechnical systems   * notions of cooperation, participation, mutual aid, and community engagement and their relationships to the design and governance of responsible technologies    * political economies and emerging organizational forms in digital labor, community, government, non-profit, creator economy, and private-sector contexts for sociotechnical undertakings  Our team is comprised of full-time researchers, postdocs, visiting faculty, Ph.D. interns, and pre-doctoral research assistants. You would also have opportunities to collaborate with others across the New England lab, all of MSR, and across Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Research provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment, with an open publication policy and close links to top academic institutions around the world.  RESPONSIBILTIES * continue developing an academically novel research agenda.   * advance that research agenda through one or more research projects, yielding new theories, methods, analyses, insights, or collections of data in one or more sub-areas or a broad area of research.   * present and publish research in high-quality conferences and journals.  * continue to contribute to the field through activities such as reviewing papers or organizing conference panels.  * contribute to discussions in the Social Media Collective, the MSR New England lab, and the Sociotechnical Systems research group across the Northeast labs.  * all employees are responsible for treating others with fairness and respect, and showing empathy and compassion. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * Doctorate in relevant field (including anthropology, communication, history, information science, media studies, science & technology studies, sociology, or related) * AND 3+ years related research experience, or equivalent experience. [ Ph.D. must be awarded before July 2022] * A research program demonstrated by top-tier, peer-reviewed scholarship, as a lead author or essential contributor, shared through publishing venues such as journal articles, conference proceedings, and books.   PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * 5+ years related research experience, or equivalent. * A methodological, analytical, and theoretical foundation in the social or humanistic sciences.  * Demonstrated leadership potential in research.  * Proven ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that also includes computer scientists, biologists, and economists. APPLICATION PROCESS Applications can be submitted here<https://jobs.careers.microsoft.com/global/en/job/1849026/Principal-Research…>. As part of the application, please upload: * Curriculum vitae (CV) listing all peer-reviewed publications and preprints. * A single research statement (4 page maximum length) that does the following:  * outlines the questions and methodologies central to your research agenda (~ three pages); * offers a description of how your research agenda relates to sociotechnical systems research (~ one page).  * Two writing samples: these can be journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent (uploaded as two separate attachments). * References – Please include a minimum of two (2) references. * After submission of application, the system will send a request for letters to list of referees on candidate’s behalf. *  Note: Candidates should tell their recommenders that, despite the auto-request for a letter of recommendation, they do not need to submit letters unless they are directly contacted and asked to do so by a member of the search committee, after the initial review of applications. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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The 25th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2026): Second Call for Contributions
by Announce 28 Jul '25

28 Jul '25

*** Second Call for Contributions *** The 25th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2026) May 25-29, 2026, 5* Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Paphos, Cyprus https://cyprusconferences.org/aamas2026/ We invite you to submit your best work in agents and multiagent systems to AAMAS 2026, the 25th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, to be held in Paphos, Cyprus in May 2026. All submissions will be rigorously peer-reviewed and evaluated on the basis of the overall quality of their technical contribution, taking into account criteria such as originality, significance, soundness, reproducibility, clarity, relevance to the conference, quality of presentation, as well as understanding and appropriate referencing of the state of the art. The papers will be published under CC BY license. Important Dates (for the main technical track) • Abstract submission: October 1, 2025 • Paper submission: October 8, 2025 • Rebuttal period: November 21-25, 2025 • Author notification: December 22, 2025 • Camera-ready paper: February 11, 2026 • Conference: May 25-29, 2026 All deadlines are at the end of the specified day, anywhere on Earth (UTC-12). For submission instructions, please see here: https://cyprusconferences.org/aamas2026/submission-instructions/ Areas of Interest We welcome the submission of technical papers describing significant and original research on all aspects of the theory and practice of autonomous agents and multiagent systems. If you are new to this community, then we encourage you to consult the proceedings of previous editions of the conference to fully appreciate the scope of AAMAS. At the time of submission, you will be asked to associate your paper with one of the following areas of interest: • Learning and Adaptation (LEARN) • Generative and Agentic AI (GAAI) • Game Theory and Economic Paradigms (GTEP) • Coordination, Organizations, Institutions, Norms, and Ethics (COINE) • Search, Optimization, Planning, and Scheduling (SOPS) • Representation, and Reasoning (RR) • Engineering and Analysis of Multiagent Systems (EMAS) • Modeling and Simulation of Societies (SIM) • Human-Agent Interaction (HAI) • Robotics and Control (ROBOT) • Innovative Applications (IA) More information on these areas and the topics covered can be found here: https://cyprusconferences.org/aamas2026/call-for-papers-main-track/ Special Tracks In addition to the main track, AAMAS 2026 will feature five special tracks (AAAI Track, JAAMAS Track, Blue Sky Ideas Track, Demo Track, and Competitions Track), as well as the Doctoral Consortium. The AAAI Track welcomes AAAI-25 submissions rejected from the main AAAI track that are relevant to the AAMAS research community and received no reject review recommendations (all review scores are weak reject or above). The JAAMAS Track offers authors of papers recently published in the Journal of Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (JAAMAS) that have not previously appeared as full papers in an archival conference the opportunity to present their work at AAMAS 2026. The focus of the Blue Sky Ideas Track is on visionary ideas, long-term challenges, new research opportunities, and controversial debate. The Demo Track allows participants from both academia and industry to showcase their latest developments in agent-based and robotic systems. The Competitions Track is an effective mechanism for motivating researchers to enhance discussions, share knowledge, and boost the development and evaluation of theory and practice of autonomous agents and multiagent systems. Finally, AAMAS invites PhD students working in the research areas covered by AAMAS to take part in the Doctoral Consortium (DC). The DC is an opportunity to interact closely with established researchers in your field as well as other PhD students to receive feedback on your work and to get advice on managing your career. The calls for each track above and for the Doctoral Consortium, along with the respective important dates, are available on the AAMAS 2026 web site. Workshops and Tutorials Furthermore, AAMAS 2026 invites proposals for workshops and tutorials. These will be held on May 25-26, 2026, immediately before the main program of the AAMAS conference. The objectives of the AAMAS 2026 workshop program are to stimulate and facilitate discussion, interaction, and comparison of approaches, methods, and ideas related to specific topics, both theoretical and applied, in the general area of Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems. The AAMAS 2026 workshops will provide an informal setting where participants will have the opportunity to discuss specific technical topics, fostering the active exchange of ideas and supporting community development. Tutorials will be half-day long and will be in person — online/remote versions will not be accepted. A few full-day tutorials may be considered, but the proponents need to motivate their request when submitting their proposal. The calls for workshop and tutorial proposals, along with the respective important dates, are available on the AAMAS 2026 web site. Organizing Committee AAMAS 2026 General Chairs • Viviana Mascardi, University of Genova, Italy • John Thangarajah, RMIT University, Australia AAMAS 2026 Program Chairs • Chris Amato, Northeastern University, United States of America • Louise Dennis, University of Manchester, United Kingdom AAMAS 2026 Local Chairs • George A. Papadopoulos, University of Cyprus, Cyprus (Chair) • Panayiotis Kolios, University of Cyprus, Cyprus (Vice Chair) If you have additional questions, please contact the Program Chairs using aamas2026pcs(a)gmail.com .

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Computational Culture issue 10 is out
by Olga Goriunova 27 Jul '25

27 Jul '25

Issue 10 of *Computational Culture, a journal of software studies* is out! Our journal is scholar-led, peer-reviewed, and open access, and you can read all of the articles at http://computationalculture.net I am posting the contents to pique your interest. This edition includes a special Issue, *"Situated Bayes",* edited by Juni Schindler, Goda Klumbytė and Matthew Fuller *Special Issue Introduction* Juni Schindler, Goda Klumbytė, Matthew Fuller, *Situated Bayes – Feminist and pluriversal perspectives on Bayesian knowledge <http://computationalculture.net/situated-bayes/>* *Special Issue Articles* Clemens Apprich, *Learning How to Learn: Abduction as the ‘Missing Link’ in Machine Learning <http://computationalculture.net/learning-how-to-learn/>* Alan F. Blackwell, Nicola J. Bidwell and Charlie Nqeisji, *Computing a Pluriversal Future <http://computationalculture.net/computing-a-pluriversal-future/>* Elizabeth de Freitas, *Quantum cognition and the limits of classical probability models <http://computationalculture.net/quantum-cognition/>* David Gauthier, *The Cancelling Out of Chance <http://computationalculture.net/the-cancelling-out-of-chance/>* Christopher Lawless, *Subversive Witness: The Disruptive Influence of Bayes Theorem on Forensic Science <http://computationalculture.net/subversive-witness/>* Adrian Mackenzie, *Generating samples: re-writing Bayes Rule as a probabilistic AI hack <http://computationalculture.net/generating-samples-re-writing/>* Conrad Moriarty Cole, *Poetics of Opacity: Glissant and Bayes <http://computationalculture.net/poetics-of-machinic-opacity/>* Krystin Unverzagt, Tobias Krueger, Anja Klein, Márk Somogyvári, Rossella Alba, *Situating Bayesian Knowledge: A Case Study of Modelling Pollutant Transfers from Land to Water <http://computationalculture.net/situating-bayesian-knowledge/>* *Special Issue Interview* Maria Chehonadskih and Matthew Fuller, *Life-building and Perspectival Vision <http://computationalculture.net/life-building/>*, an interview with Maria Chehonadskih, author of <http://computationalculture.net/life-building/>*Alexander Bogdanov and the Politics of Knowledge after the October Revolution <http://computationalculture.net/life-building/>*. <http://computationalculture.net/life-building/> *General Article* Tony D. Sampson, *Where Positive Flow Can Thrive: A Critical Approach to User Experience and Control in the Computational Workplace <http://computationalculture.net/where-positive-flow-can-thrive/>* *Comments* Annet Dekker, *Pluralities of Scale, thinking through technical development <http://computationalculture.net/pluralities-of-scale/>*, an interview with Martijn van Boven and Florian van Zandwijk, curators of the exhibition <http://computationalculture.net/pluralities-of-scale/>*Pluralities of Scale. 70 Years of Microchip History <http://computationalculture.net/pluralities-of-scale/>* Kye Sung Lee, Translator’s note to “Machine Translation and Benjamin: Pure Language” <http://computationalculture.net/translators-note-to-machine/> Jae Hyun Lee, Machine Translation and Benjamin: Pure Language, <http://computationalculture.net/machine-translation/>translated by Kye Sung Lee *Reviews* John Cayley, *The Mesh We’re In <http://computationalculture.net/the-mesh-were-in/>*, a review of, Aden Evens, <http://computationalculture.net/the-mesh-were-in/>*The Digital and its Discontents <http://computationalculture.net/the-mesh-were-in/>* Diana Lengua, *InterFrictions <http://computationalculture.net/interfrictions/>*, a review of, Jakko Kemper, <http://computationalculture.net/interfrictions/>*Frictionlessness: The Silicon Valley Philosophy of Seamless Technology and the Aesthetic Value of Imperfection <http://computationalculture.net/interfrictions/>* Júlia Nueno Guitart, *Here Again, Numbers Rule <http://computationalculture.net/here-again-numbers-rule/>*, a review of Mike Hill, <http://computationalculture.net/here-again-numbers-rule/>*On Posthuman War, computation and military violence <http://computationalculture.net/here-again-numbers-rule/>* Warren Sack, *Code, Capital and Culture <http://computationalculture.net/code-capital-and-culture/>*, a review of Brian Lennon, <http://computationalculture.net/code-capital-and-culture/>*Programming Language Cultures: Automating Automation <http://computationalculture.net/code-capital-and-culture/>*

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Sociology Group Call Request
by Noel Packard 27 Jul '25

27 Jul '25

Dear Colleagues, Please share this Sociology Group Call for an issue of American Behavioral Scientist entitled "Survey of a Cluster of Pre Internet Networks" Thank you. https://www.sociologygroup.com/call-for-papers-american-behavioral-scientis…

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mediastudies.press book manuscript submission window closes on 31 July, 2025
by Park, Dave 26 Jul '25

26 Jul '25

mediastudies.press, the scholar-led and nonprofit OA publisher, is happy to announce that our annual proposal window, which opened on 1 June, closes on 31 July, 2025. Authors are encouraged to submit a proposal for review. mediastudies.press welcomes submissions from scholars across media, communication, and film studies. We currently publish in four series: * Media Manifold series — monographs and other book-length works of contemporary media scholarship https://www.mediastudies.press/media-manifold-series * Public Domain series — reprints of neglected classics, in new critical editions anchored by framing introductions https://www.mediastudies.press/public-domain-series * Open Reader series — themed collections of openly licensed, public domain, and linked materials curated and introduced by leading experts https://www.mediastudies.press/open-reader-series * History of Media Studies series — monographs and other original scholarly works centered on history of media, communication, and film studies https://www.mediastudies.press/history-of-media-studies We are small and artisanal by mission, and aim to publish just five books a year. Given the volume of proposals that we receive—and with our production schedule in mind—we maintain an annual proposal window (1 June to 31 July), for the review of manuscripts slated for publication in the following calendar year. You are welcome to send informal queries outside these dates, but our general practice is to only consider proposals within the annual window. Each year, we review proposals with an initial reply by August 30, with the aim to conduct peer review of proposals of expressed interest by the end of September. mediastudies.press is an open-access publisher for the media and communication studies fields. The press is nonprofit and scholar-led. We publish living works, with iterative updates stitched into our process. And we encourage multi-modal submissions that reflect the mediated environments our authors study. Publishing with mediastudies.press is free on principle. Our aim is to demonstrate, on a small scale, an open-access publishing model supported by libraries rather than author fees, via the Open Book Collective. Open access for readers, we believe, should not be traded for new barriers to authorship. All our published works are rigorously peer-reviewed, and receive unusual editorial attention. We prioritize discoverability through careful metadata, library records, and directory listings. As a scholar-run operation, our publicity outreach is uncommonly informed by the fields’ intellectual contours. We kindly ask that proposals be submitted as a single PDF, via this URL: https://www.mediastudies.press/proposal-form Proposals should include the following elements, in addition to at least one draft chapter: 1. Proposed title and subtitle 2. A 500- to 1000-word narrative description of the book 3. Short bios of author(s) and/or editor(s) 4. Proposed series (see above) 5. Tentative table of contents, preferably annotated 6. Estimated word-length 7. Multi-modal components, if any 8. Status of the book (i.e., expectation of completion date, the portion now complete) 9. At least one draft chapter If you have any questions at all about the proposal process for books, please contact us at press(a)mediastudies.press<mailto:press@mediastudies.press> Jeff Pooley, co-director of mediastudies.press Dave Park, co-director of mediastudies.press

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Abstracts due Aug. 1 for Special Issue: "How Does Artificial Intelligence Change Communication"
by Andrea Guzman 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

Quick reminder that the due date for abstracts for the below call is August 1 (submitter’s local date) Special Issue of Journal of Language and Social Psychology: “How Does Artificial Intelligence Change Communication?” Link to Journal CFP: https://journals.sagepub.com/page/jls/callforpapers Editors: Dr. Andrea L. Guzman (Northern Illinois University), Dr. Bingjie Liu (Ohio State University), and Dr. Renwen Zhang (National University of Singapore) Goals and Foci How we study and understand the social psychology of language is rapidly changing with the growth of AI. This special issue of the JLSP focuses on scholarship that addresses the conceptual and theoretical questions regarding how artificial intelligence (AI) changes communication practices and research. We invite submissions from scholars in the fields of communication, psychology, linguistics, sociology, education, information science, health, computational social science, and others. We are especially interested in conceptual and theoretical contributions as well as empirical work that push the boundaries of our thinking on the impact of AI on communication mechanisms at fundamental levels. The goal is to provide thought-provoking scholarship that can further progress the study of AI’s implications for language and social psychology in the tradition of other special issues that have guided research on communication into a new era of inquiry (e.g., Journal of Communication - The Disciplinary Status of Communication Research, 1993; New Media & Society - Internet Studies: Perspectives on a Rapidly Developing Field, 2013; Computers in Human Behavior - Digital Interlocutors: Theory and Practice of Interactions Between Human and Machines, 2019; Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication - What is Computer-Mediated Communication?, 2020). Artificial intelligence is defined as machines that can simulate human intelligence and perform tasks that would require human intelligence (e.g., Turing, 1950). With the rapid development of AI, such as natural language processing, machine learning, affective computing, and, more recently, large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, AI-based technologies are increasingly mediating and affecting language and communication in innumerable ways. Examples include, but are not limited to, “communicative AI” (Guzman & Lewis, 2020; Hepp et al., 2023) conversing with humans (e.g., chatbots, robots, smart speakers, AI companions) in human-machine communication (Fortunati & Edwards, 2020; Guzman, 2018), applications that enable AI-mediated communication (Hancock et al., 2020) by modifying human communication (e.g., Grammarly) or even communicating on behalf of humans (e.g., smart reply), and algorithms that make decisions on communication flows and exposure to messages (e.g., algorithms that moderate the content in news and social media platforms) and that connect communicators (e.g., matching algorithms in online dating platforms). As a result, AI has brought changes to many communication practices and has inspired numerous empirical studies on the uses and effects of AI. Nevertheless, what AI-induced changes are meaningful and fundamental to the understanding of communication and to theory building about the social psychology of language? Communication is traditionally conceived as a uniquely human activity (Peters, 2012; Schramm, 1973), and most theories are developed based on the assumption that the participants of communication are only human agents. The involvement of AI thus pushes us to rethink the nature as well as the future of communication and human connection (Gunkel, 2012; Zhao, 2006). In other words, AI raises new questions regarding how we create meaning with, make sense of, and relate to each other. We encourage researchers, including both junior and established scholars, to join us in contemplating how existing concepts and theories are challenged, expanded, revived, and nullified, and what new concepts and theoretical perspectives are inspired, invoked, or necessitated by AI in the domain of language and social psychology and beyond. Scope We welcome submissions focusing on any type(s) of AI-based technologies, including narrow AI, machine learning, and GenAI, and the full range of applications (e.g., chatbots, virtual agents, algorithms), and any communication context or across contexts (e.g., intercultural, interpersonal, mass, political, organizational communication), communication processes (e.g., language use and effects, message production and interpretation, information access and processing, dynamics in dyads or small groups), from all research traditions and approaches. We also are interested in conceptual pieces that consider the larger philosophical and historical implications of AI for the study of communication and language. Artificial Intelligence notoriously is an area of study that spans many different disciplines and fields, each with different definitions of what constitutes AI, as well as goals in studying AI. Furthermore, there are many different types of AI in use and development (e.g., narrow AI, generative AI) and applications (e.g., chatbots, programs for developing text, audio, and/or visual content, data processing, curation, information gathering, social listening, etc). For this special issue, we are open to the varying definitions and forms of AI. The potential topics for submissions are wide-ranging, and authors are welcome to reach out to the special issue editors with questions regarding relevant topics. Some possible areas of inquiry include: * How does AI change/challenge/redefine the nature of communication and its study? * How does AI alter the psychological processes and outcomes of language use and effects? * How does AI moderate the dynamics of communication, such as in human-machine communication and AI-mediated communication? * What implications emerge from AI when considering information credibility? * How does AI challenge or expand the key concepts or theories regarding communication? For example, how do we need to adapt existing theories, the meaning they create, and the effects and implications of social interaction (for self, organizations, society, etc.) to account for AI? * In what ways might AI promote or hinder diversity, inclusivity, and fairness in language and communication practices? * In what ways is AI unique as a communicator and mediator compared to previous technologies and human communicators? * What new insights can AI provide regarding previous forms of communication, such as human-human communication and CMC, that may have gone unnoticed? * How might AI induce a paradigm shift in the social psychology of language and related areas of study germane to communication? Timeline: * August 1, 2025: Abstract due * September 2025: Decisions on the abstract sent back to authors * January 9, 2026: Full paper submission due, followed by peer review * September 2026: Special issue to be published Submission Format Abstract We welcome extended abstracts (up to 500 words, excluding references) for both theoretical and empirical papers that examine how AI is reshaping communication in various contexts. The abstract should clearly state the focus of the manuscript and its contribution related to the topic of the special issue and explain the scholarly format it will take (e.g., theoretical, empirical). Be specific regarding the objectives and/or questions the manuscript will address and, if applicable, articulate pertinent details regarding the approach and method. Abstracts should be submitted via Google Form: https://forms.gle/XbPdLwpHiffr5YvZ6. Full Manuscript Papers in the special issue will be consistent with the JLSP’s existing guidelines and requirements for papers. Contact Questions about submissions to this special issue can be addressed to Dr. Andrea Guzman (alguzman(a)niu.edu<mailto:alguzman@niu.edu>), Dr. Bingjie Liu (liu.11321(a)osu.edu<mailto:liu.11321@osu.edu>), and Dr. Renwen Zhang (r.zhang(a)nus.edu.sg<mailto:r.zhang@nus.edu.sg>). _____ Andrea L. Guzman, Ph.D. Associate Professor Dept. of Communication Northern Illinois University she/her/hers alguzman(a)niu.edu<mailto:alguzman@niu.edu> https://andrealguzman.net<https://andrealguzman.net/> ICA Human-Machine Comm. Interest Group<https://humanmachinecommunication.com/> Recent publications - <https://doi.org/10.1177/27523543241289239> What Generative AI Means for the Media Industries, and Why it Matters to Study the Collective Consequences for Advertising, Journalism, and Public Relations<https://doi.org/10.1177/27523543241289239> - Rethinking Communication between Humans and Social Robots<https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110792270-017/html> -The SAGE Handbook of Human-Machine Communication<https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/the-sage-handbook-of-human–machine-communi…>

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Reminder of the #AoIR2025 Early Registration Rate Deadline - 1 August
by AoIR Association Coordinator 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

The early registration rate deadline for the #AoIR2025 Ruptures is 1 August 2025. After this date, the fees for conference registration increase - https://aoir.org/aoir2025/aoir2025fees/ *Please note:* *All presenting authors and Doctoral Colloquium attendees must be fully registered and paid by 1 August 2025 deadline to be included in the 2025 program. * There are two different registrations AoIR2025 – one for in person attendees and one for remote attendees. In person only: https://members.aoir.org/event-6216401 Online only: https://members.aoir.org/event-6216484 Travel information can be found here: https://aoir.org/aoir2025/travelingtobrazil/ #AoIR2025 will be held at the Novo IACS - Instituto de Artes e Comunicação da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) - Campus Gragoatá. The campus is close to the city centre and its hotels and hostels, and is very well served by public transport. Many passport holders are required to apply for a Visa prior to travel to Brazil. Please check visa requirements here: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ We look forward to seeing many of you in Niterói! Your organizers of AoIR2025.

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RECORDING – IGF DC Webinar – Gaming & Gamification – Cross-Sector Applications & Impact
by Joly MacFie 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

I had a beach day yesterday, but I was able to capture audio of this session while I was out.. Gamification is a rare topic in IGF discussions, so useful. [image: isoc live] <https://isoc.live/19548>*AUDIO <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.mp3> | TRANSCRIPT EN <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.EN.TRANSCRIPT.pdf> / ES <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.ES.TRANSCRIPT.pdf> / FR <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.FR.TRANSCRIPT.pdf> | SUMMARY EN <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.EN.SUMMARY.pdf> / ES <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.ES.SUMMARY.pdf> / FR <https://archive.org/download/igf-dc-gaming/igf-dc-gaming.FR.SUMMARY.pdf>* *ARCHIVE <https://archive.org/details/igf-dc-gaming> | PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/19548>* On *July 24, 2025*, the *Internet Governance Forum <https://www.intgovforum.org/>* (IGF) *Dynamic Coalitions <https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/dynamic-coalitions>* (DCs) held their fourth Global Webinar with the theme ‘*Gaming & Gamification – Cross-Sector Applications & Impact*‘. Experts explored how gaming & gamification are transforming health, education, policy, and inclusion, and urged ethical, inclusive, purpose-driven design. *SPEAKERS* *Tel Amiel* (DC-OER) – Adjunct Professor, UNESCO Chair in Open Education & Technologies for the Common Good *Dr. Rajendra Gupta* (DC-DH) – Chairman, Health Parliament *Daniel Kaufmann* (DC-G4P) – Director of Gaming Services, Kindbridge Behavioral Health *Jakeel D. Abdullah* (DCAD) – Board Member, U.S. International Council on Disabilities *Martin Fischer* (DC-Children) – Policy Manager, German Children’s Fund *Ugne Lipeikaite* (DC-PAL) – Impact Manager, Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL ) *Rohan Sinha* (DC-G4P) – Teen Representative, Open Growth *MODERATOR* *Reyansh Gupta* (DC-G4P) – Community Lead, AISquare -- -------------------------------------- Joly MacFie +12185659365 -------------------------------------- -

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CfP // CJoC special issue Special Issue on 'Decentralised Technologies and Global Chinese Communities'
by Tom McDonald 24 Jul '25

24 Jul '25

CALL FOR PAPERS Chinese Journal of Communication Special Issue on "Decentralised Technologies and Global Chinese Communities" View Call for Papers online: https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/decentralised-technologie… SPECIAL ISSUE EDITOR(S) Tom McDonald, Department of Sociology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China mcdonald(a)hku.hk Haiqing Yu, School of Media & Communication & ADM+S Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia haiqing.yu(a)rmit.edu.au Jiaxi Hou, School of Media & Communication & ADM+S Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia houjiaxi725(a)gmail.com DECENTRALISED TECHNOLOGIES AND GLOBAL CHINESE COMMUNITIES Decentralised technologies—including blockchain, distributed ledgers, and the Web3 ecosystem (such as decentralised finance [DeFi], decentralised autonomous organisations [DAOs], and cryptocurrencies)—are transforming global economic, social, cultural, and communicative structures. Promising greater autonomy, transparency, and inclusivity, these technologies challenge established institutional power structures and enable new forms of organisation, interaction, and transaction. For global Chinese communities—comprising diasporic, transnational, and mainland Chinese populations, including those of Chinese descent who may not self-identify as “Chinese”—decentralised technologies present both profound opportunities and pressing challenges. These communities are not only active in developing, investing in, and applying these technologies, but are also reimagining their networks, identities, and cultural practices through them. In doing so, they contribute to the emergence of new and alternative ideologies for blockchain, such as community-based governance models, reconfigured kinship or clan networks, and experimentation with decentralised collective action grounded in Chinese cultural and political contexts. These ideologies may differ significantly from the libertarian or techno-utopian beliefs often foregrounded in Western blockchain discourses. These efforts offer rich potential for invigorating scholarly inquiry beyond the dominant Western frames that have shaped most blockchain research to date. Existing research tends to focus on competing ideologies embedded in decentralised infrastructures and their capacity to spread globally due to the technologies’ “borderless” nature. This special issue calls for deeper attention to how such ideological frameworks are adapted, challenged, or reshaped in Chinese contexts—ranging from grassroots experimentation with DAO governance to state-aligned visions of “trusted” decentralisation and platform sovereignty. Moreover, this special issue seeks to broaden the scope of inquiry to include the making of the infrastructures—technical, economic, social, and logistical—that support decentralised technologies. This includes mining operations, server farms, coding networks, and investment infrastructures, as well as the (dis)continuities with earlier decentralised movements in Chinese history, such as rural mutual aid societies or early internet forums. What historical forms of decentralisation do these technologies recall, rework, or depart from? To address these questions, we highlight the pivotal but underexplored role that Chinese communities have played in building the infrastructure and applications of decentralised systems. From mining operations and foundational code contributions to “pop-up” cities and citizen-led DAOs, Chinese actors have significantly shaped the technical, social, and ideological contours of decentralised ecosystems. At the same time, everyday adoption—via digital currency, social tokens, decentralised apps (dApps), and cross-border transactions—continues to transform daily life and communication practices for many Chinese users, inside and outside of mainland China. This special issue invites contributions that explore how decentralised technologies intersect with the evolving notion of global Chinese communities and transnational communication in and beyond mainland China. We especially encourage papers that draw from and contribute to media and communication research, including (but not limited to) digital platform studies, media infrastructures, the political economy of communication, cultural production, and theories of publics and counterpublics. By foregrounding communicative practices, media systems, and cultural discourses, this issue aims to connect decentralised technologies to core concerns in communication and media scholarship. SUGGESTED TOPICS: I. Case Studies of Chinese-led Blockchain and Web3 Projects * Roles of Chinese diasporic entrepreneurs and developers in blockchain ecosystems. * Blockchain and crypto adoption in Chinese communities: cultural and economic practices, digital currencies, and mobile platforms. * Cultural preservation via decentralised media: NFTs, decentralised archives, and storytelling. * Navigating regulatory tensions between mainland China and global crypto governance. * Risks of decentralisation: scams, disinformation, and systemic inequality in Chinese contexts. II. Ethnographies of Chinese Communities and Decentralised Technologies * Blockchain-enabled connectivity for fragmented Chinese communities. * Sociotechnical imaginaries: how different Chinese communities envision blockchain futures. * DAOs as tools for collective organising, resource-sharing, and identity reformation. * The cultural politics of decentralised systems within Confucian, collectivist, or hierarchical traditions. * Frictions between decentralised experimentation and the centralising Chinese tradition. III. Infrastructures and (Dis)Continuities * Technical and economic infrastructures: mining, funding, logistics, and digital labour. * Comparative studies of infrastructure-building across geographies and Chinese subgroups. * The uneven development and accessibility of decentralised infrastructure within the Chinese-speaking world. * Continuities and discontinuities between the past and contemporary forms of organising (because of new technologies). IV. AI and Web3 Convergence * Integration of Chinese-developed AI with Web3 for new socio-technical formations. * Automated governance and machine-learning-enhanced DAOs in Chinese projects. * Cultural production in AI/Web3 convergence: Chinese creators, platforms, and fans. * Web3’s influence on Chinese language, identity, and traditional practices. * Philosophical and ethical questions in Chinese-language discourses on AI and Web3. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS ** Workshop for Papers ** Authors intending to submit a manuscript for consideration in this special issue are encouraged to take advantage of a closed-door workshop to be held at the University of Hong Kong on 28 October 2025, where they will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on an early draft of their papers prior to submission. Applications to participate in the workshop should be received by 14 August 2025 (https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0cxfXO7SkjYT1fU) A small number of travel grants are available. Please note that participation in the workshop does not guarantee that the paper will be included in the special issue. ** Full Manuscripts for Peer Review ** Manuscript deadline: 19 January 2026. Submission site access via: https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/decentralised-technologie… During the submission process, please indicate that your submission is intended for inclusion in the special issue “Decentralised Technologies and Global Chinese Communities”. All submitted manuscripts are subject to rigorous blind peer-review process. All accepted manuscripts will be published online first. The planned printed publication date is an issue of Chinese Journal of Communication in 2027. For inquiries, please contact: Professor Tom McDonald (mcdonald(a)hku.hk) or Co-Guest-Editors. Tom McDonald Associate Professor Department of Sociology The University of Hong Kong mcdonald(a)hku.hk<mailto:mcdonald@hku.hk> Tel: +852 3917 1105 http://sociology.hku.hk/mcdonald

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CfP: Clouds, Streams, and Ground (Truths): Developing Methods for Studying Algorithmic Music Ecosystems
by Allison Jerzak 24 Jul '25

24 Jul '25

We are pleased to announce a Call For Papers for the conference, "Clouds, Streams, and Ground (Truths): Developing Methods for Studying Algorithmic Music Ecosystems <https://www.algorithmicmusicmethods.com/>," to be held at the University of California, Berkeley, March 7-8, 2026. "Fail fast, fail forward" echoes throughout Silicon Valley. The phrase validates (and often financially rewards) companies who pursue rapid technological development over more considered approaches. But this future-oriented vision has also made these systems difficult to study: like the metaphorical "stream," they are constantly in flux. One consequence: digital music, streaming platforms, and cloud infrastructures have been around for decades, yet scholars lack a consensus on how to study these objects. Access to the past is often foreclosed by relentless pursuits of digital futures. Our aim is to bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars, researchers in the music industry, and legal practitioners to discuss the challenges of studying these digital systems and develop ways to make them more knowable. We are soliciting proposals for presentations (20 minutes + 10 minutes discussion) from scholars in musicology, critical data studies, media studies, and related disciplines to contribute their perspective to the conversation. Possible topics of interest include: - How does metaphorical language like clouds and streams shape how we perceive the affordances of different music technologies? - What kind of knowledge can we generate about these systems taking a historical approach? An ethnographic one? - Quantitative vs. qualitative: What can we learn about these systems by studying them at scale, and what can we learn from case studies? - What are the implications of a rapidly changing political economy of music? Have we seen comparable economic shifts in the past? - What can recent (or not so recent) litigation reveal about these companies or their technologies? - What kind of musical data is publicly available, and what can we do with it? - Most commercial music recommendation companies were developed in North American and European contexts. These systems were largely trained on popular music, but with an eye to universal applications. How might we go about mitigating bias from this training data? Is taking a universal approach to music recommendation and generation even possible? The conference will feature keynotes by Bob Sturm (KTH Royal Technical University), Anna Huang (MIT), and Chris White (UMass, Amherst), along with roundtables with researchers in the music industry and the legal sphere. We anticipate having financial support available to help defray the costs of travel/lodging for accepted participants, particularly graduate students or independent scholars. If interested, please send proposals of 250 words to conference(a)algorithmicmusicmethods.com by August 22, 11:59PM. Program decisions will be announced no later than September 19. Organizing committee: Allison Jerzak (UC Berkeley), Ravi Krishnaswami (Brown University) https://www.algorithmicmusicmethods.com/

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