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Book Announcement: Learning in Virtual Worlds - Free Download
by Lee, Mark 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

Announcing the release of: LEARNING IN VIRTUAL WORLDS: RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS Edited by: Sue Gregory, University of New England, Australia, Mark J.W. Lee, Charles Sturt University, Australia, Barney Dalgarno, Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Belinda Tynan, The Open University, UK With a Foreword by Chris Dede, Harvard University, USA Part of the "Issues in Distance Education" series (Series Editor: Terry Anderson, Athabasca University, Canada) Published by Athabasca University Press as an open-access publication— Free PDF download available at: http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120254 Also available for purchase in Paperback and ePub formats *** Description *** Three-dimensional (3D) immersive virtual worlds have been touted as being capable of facilitating highly interactive, engaging, multimodal learning experiences. Much of the evidence gathered to support these claims has been anecdotal but the potential that these environments hold to solve traditional problems in online and technology-mediated education—primarily learner isolation and student disengagement—has resulted in considerable investments in virtual world platforms like Second Life, OpenSimulator, and Open Wonderland by both professors and institutions. To justify this ongoing and sustained investment, institutions and proponents of simulated learning environments must assemble a robust body of evidence that illustrates the most effective use of this powerful learning tool. In this authoritative collection, a team of international experts outline the emerging trends and developments in the use of 3D virtual worlds for teaching and learning. They explore aspects of learner interaction with virtual worlds, such as user wayfinding in Second Life, communication modes and perceived presence, and accessibility issues for elderly or disabled learners. They also examine advanced technologies that hold potential for the enhancement of learner immersion and discuss best practices in the design and implementation of virtual world-based learning interventions and tasks. By evaluating and documenting different methods, approaches, and strategies, the contributors to Learning in Virtual Worlds offer important information and insight to both scholars and practitioners in the field. *** About the Editors *** - Sue Gregory, associate professor and chair of research in the School of Education at the University of New England, Australia, lectures in ICT education, conducts research on the use of virtual worlds for learning and teaching, and leads the Australia and New Zealand Virtual Worlds Working Group. - Mark J.W. Lee, adjunct senior lecturer with the School of Education at Charles Sturt University, Australia and honorary senior research fellow with the School of Science, Information Technology and Engineering at Federation University Australia, has broad interests in learning sciences and technology, with a current focus on creative and playful pedagogies that transcend multiple spaces, temporalities, and/or modalities. He was previously editor-in-chief of MERLOT's Journal of Online Learning and Teaching. - Barney Dalgarno, professor/co-director of the uImagine Digital Learning Innovation Laboratory at Charles Sturt University, Australia and co-lead editor of the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, has received national and international recognition for his innovative research, teaching, and learning design using leading-edge technologies. - Belinda Tynan, pro vice-chancellor (learning and teaching) at The Open University in the United Kingdom, has held management positions at higher education institutions in four countries across three continents and over the years has attracted considerable grant funding as well as been responsible for multiple, large-scale innovation projects. *** Contributors *** - Paul M. Baker, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA - Francesca Bertacchini,Università della Calabria, Italy - Leanne Cameron, Australian Catholic University, Australia - Chris Campbell, The University of Queensland, Australia - Helen S. Farley, University of Southern Queensland, Australia - Laura Fedeli, University of Macerata, Italy - Sue Gregory, University of New England, Australia - Christopher Hardy, ENER-G Holdings Plc, UK - Bob Heller, Athabasca University, Canada - Vicki Knox, University of New England, Australia - Shailey Minocha, The Open University, UK - Jessica Pater, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA - Margarita Pérez García, UK - Mike Procter, Athabasca University, Canada - Torsten Reiners, Curtin University, Australia - Paul Resta, University of Texas at Austin, USA - Corbin Rose, Canada - Miri Shonfeld, Mofet Institute and Kibbutzim College of Education, Israel - Ann Smith, Cardiff University, UK - Layla F. Tabatabaie, BarterSugar, USA - Assunta Tavernise, Università della Calabria, Italy - Robert L. Todd, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA - Steven Warburton, University of Surrey, UK - Stephany F. Wilkes, West by Midwest, USA *** For More Information *** A flyer containing further details about the book, including a copy of the Table of Contents, is attached. The full text of the entire book and of individual chapters can be downloaded for free in PDF format at http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120254 . The PDF and ePub versions can also be purchased from this site.

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Gender identity
by Jenny Rankine 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

Statistics New Zealand has adopted the choice of Gender diverse - see http://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/classifications-and-standards/classificati… Cheers, Jenny Rankine PhD Student University of Auckland

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Final Call: Carl J. Couch Internet Student Research Award 2016
by Mark D. Johns 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

CALL FOR AWARD APPLICATIONS Carl J. Couch Internet Research Award 2016 Sponsored by the Carl Couch Center for Social and Internet Research http://www.cccsir.com/ The Carl Couch Center issues an international call for student-authored papers to be considered for Carl J. Couch Internet Research Award. The Couch Center welcomes both theoretical and empirical papers that apply symbolic interactionist approaches to internet studies. According to basic symbolic interactionist premises, what we understand as self, identity, relationship, and cultural formations are constructed dialogically and interactively. While the works of George H. Mead, Georg Simmel, Erving Goffman and other leading symbolic interactionists have been integral to the study of social interaction, Carl Couch was among the first from this tradition to suggest the importance of engaging in the study of mediated interaction. It is critical that symbolic interactionists move boldly forward, beyond Couch's initial suggestion, to study what has become for many a dominant form of communication in their everyday life. Whether we research identities, emotion, memory, family, work, career, presentations of self, deception, love, loss or other areas, the impact of mediated communication is felt by those interacting within it. As internet-related media continue to influence our everyday interactions--not only with other people but also with technologies, devices, algorithms, platform parameters, and so forth--it becomes crucial for symbolic interactionists to attend to the role of these mediating factors in the interaction process. We encourage any paper that uses a symbolic interactionist approach in internet studies. We also encourage papers that explore the interface between deliberate social interaction and structured (or automated) interactions sponsored or enacted by various technological features, exploring not only how identities, relations, and social formations are negotiated through social interactions, but also how these interactions are mediated further through the use or capacities of various technologies. Papers will be evaluated based on the quality of (1) mastery of symbolic interactionist approaches and concepts, (2) originality, (3) organization, (4) presentation, and (5) advancement of knowledge. Those contemplating entering should note that an interactionist approach demands thoughtful analysis, and not mere description, of social interactions. Evaluation will be administered by a Review Committee of: Mark D. Johns, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa Camille Johnson-Yale, Lake Forest College, Illinois Lois Scheidt, Indiana University, Bloomington Competition is open to graduate or undergraduate students of all disciplines. Works that are published or accepted for publication are not eligible for award consideration. Entries should be in English and not exceed 30 pages (approximately 7500 words) in length, including references and appendices. Limit of one entry per student per year. The top paper will receive Couch Award to be presented at the 2016 meeting of the Association of Internet Researchers (aoir.org) in Berlin, Germany. The top paper will be awarded a certificate and a cash prize of $300 US and the author will be invited to present their work at a session of the AoIR conference, October 6-8, 2016 in Berlin. Candidates should send a copy of their paper electronically, along with information concerning the location and level of their studies, to Mark Johns at mjohns(a)luther.edu Application deadline is May 15, 2016. Notification of award will be sent by June 15. Those with questions or comments about Couch Award application, please contact: Mark D. Johns Communication Studies Luther College, Decorah, Iowa Phone: 563-387-1347 E-mail: mjohns(a)luther.edu

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Call for Nominations Baym Annual Book Award
by Jennifer Stromer-Galley 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

We are pleased to call for nominations for the Nancy Baym Annual Book Award. This award recognizes the best scholarship of the Association of Internet Researchers, and highlights the breadth of work relating to the social and cultural dimensions of networked media. We will accept nominations (self and other) for the Baym Annual Book Award published during the calendar year of 2015. Edited collections are ineligible; the book must explore a single topic and be authored or co-authored as a monograph. The books will be reviewed by a committee of Tama Leaver, Curtin University, Stephanie Schulte, University of Arkansas, and chaired by Nancy Baym, Microsoft Research. Nomination must be received no later than May 15th, 2016. Submission Details: A nomination letter that describes how the book draws on and/or contributes to scholarship of the AoIR community should be emailed to the chair of the committee, Nancy Baym (baym(a)microsoft.com) We are happy to accept books in either digital or hard copy. If digital, please provide 3 copies (1 copy each) to: Nancy Baym (baym(a)microsoft.com) Tama Leaver (t.leaver(a)curtin.edu.au) Stephanie Schulte (stephanieschulte(a)gmail.com) Hard copies (1 each) should be mailed to: Nancy Baym/Microsoft Research 1 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Stephanie Schulte 417 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA Tama Leaver, MCCA Curtin University GPO Box U1987 Perth, WA 6845, AUSTRALIA. Nomination letters and book copies should arrive no later than May 15th. The winner of the award will be announced in the summer of 2016. In addition to winning a cash prize, the individual will also be invited to participate at the AoIR conference in Berlin in October. Please contact Nancy Baym or Jenny Stromer-Galley (prez(a)aoir.org) if you have any questions about this process. ~Jenny Stromer-Galley President, AoIR

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Re: [Air-L] Ranking Digital Rights seeks Research Director (or Manager)
by Becky Lentz 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

This might be of interest to some on this list… Becky Lentz, McGill University > > Dear Friends, > > Please circulate this to anybody who might potentially be interested. > > Best > Rebecca > > http://newamerica.applytojob.com/apply/pFtGgd > > > Position: Research Director (or Manager), Ranking Digital Rights > Location: Washington DC preferred, New York possible; other remote locations > may be considered under special circumstances. > Ranking Digital Rights, a non-profit human rights and corporate accountability > project based at New America’s Open Technology Institute, seeks a full-time > Research Director or Research Manager (title depending on seniority and > experience) to oversee the planning and execution of research for the Ranking > Digital Rights Corporate Accountability Index and related research activities. > This individual will answer to the project Director and work in close > coordination with other project staff. The job represents a unique opportunity > to shape the direction and scope of an innovative new project whose core > output is applied research in the service of policy, advocacy, and responsible > investing. > After more than two years of research, stakeholder consultation, pilot > testing, and iteration, Ranking Digital Rights released its inaugural > Corporate Accountability Index in November 2015 and is currently undertaking > methodological review and research needed to refine and expand the Index. The > next Index will be released in the first half of 2017, after which the project > aims to continue on an annual cycle of research, release, promotion, > stakeholder engagement, and iteration. For an experienced research > professional who wants to have a direct and positive impact on corporate > policy and practice in the area of freedom of expression and privacy, this > position brings an exciting opportunity to innovate and demonstrate thought > leadership. For more information about the project please visit > rankingdigitalrights.org <http://rankingdigitalrights.org> . > About Ranking Digital Rights: > Ranking Digital Rights is a non-profit research initiative housed at New > America’s Open Technology Institute, working with an international network of > partners to set global standards for how companies in the information and > communications technology (ICT) sector should respect freedom of expression > and privacy. The project's inaugural 2015 Corporate Accountability Index > ranked 16 of the world's most powerful Internet and telecommunications > companies on their disclosed commitments, policies, and practices affecting > freedom of expression and privacy. Future iterations of the Index will expand > over time to include more companies that produce a broader range of digitally > networked products and services with implications for global human rights. > About the Open Technology Institute: > The Open Technology Institute at New America is committed to freedom and > social justice in the digital age. To achieve these goals, it intervenes in > traditional policy debates, builds technology, and deploys tools with > communities. > About New America > New America is dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity, and > purpose in the Digital Age. We carry out our mission as a nonprofit civic > enterprise: an intellectual venture capital fund, think tank, technology > laboratory, public forum, and media platform. Our hallmarks are big ideas, > impartial analysis, pragmatic policy solutions, technological innovation, next > generation politics, and creative engagement with broad audiences. > Responsibilities will include: > ● Plan, structure, and coordinate the work of a team of researchers, some > based at New America’s Open Technology Institute and others based elsewhere > around the world who are either employed by the project’s institutional > research partners or who are engaged to work with RDR on a contract basis; > ● Develop training materials and design/lead training sessions to ensure > the researchers understand the substance of the Index and the research > process; > ● Design and run an effective process for researcher communication and > addressing questions/problems as they arise during the research cycle; > ● Lead and design/refine the process for reviewing Index research for > quality and accuracy, ensuring that the data collected captures what the Index > is addressing; > ● Lead the process of analyzing Index data, pulling out relevant findings > and developing recommendations. This includes structuring and drafting the > main Index report, in addition to writing or directing the production of white > papers and other products throughout the year focused on specific facets of > the Index data in connection with emerging policy and industry developments; > ● Working with other project staff responsible for engagement and outreach, > support outreach to and engagement with researchers from other organizations > around the world who want to use or build upon Index data or analysis in their > own work; > ● Support conversations with company representatives and civil society > organizations about the Index research and its findings, recommendations, > etc.; > ● Alongside the project director and other staff, write and speak publicly > about the Index and the project as a whole. > Minimum Qualifications: > ● Substantive knowledge, gained through prior employment or academic > experience, of digital rights including privacy and freedom of expression > online; > ● Experience managing complex research projects with remote team members; > ● Proven ability to function well on a team that includes remote staff; > ● Proven ability to write clearly, concisely, and on deadline; > ● Detail-oriented; > ● Demonstrated ability for creative problem-solving: This is an early stage > project with opportunities for the successful candidate to shape how the > project approaches and structures its research in the future. The successful > candidate is flexible and open to iterating on that process; > ● Demonstrated ability to balance “substance” and “process:” The successful > candidate has the ability to understand and review the content of research as > well as develop, execute, and improve the processes by which the research gets > done; > ● Fluency in written and spoken English > Candidates with some combination of the below will receive strongest > consideration: > ● Experience working with research databases and quantitative methods; > ● Experience conducting research related to human rights, governance, > accountability, and transparency; > ● Experience working on issues related to business and human rights; > ● Experience conducting research on companies in general, and corporate > “environmental, social, and governance” (ESG) issues in particular; > ● Experience working in professional or academic environments outside the > United States, particularly in the developing world; > ● Proficiency in at least one language other than English; > ● Public speaking experience; > ● Experience in writing or contributing to grant proposals and/or reports; > ● A relevant graduate degree > > Application materials: In addition to cover letter and CV, please include at > least one example of a published research product that you have led, managed, > or otherwise made a substantial contribution to. > New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse > workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that > allows us to better serve our clientele, our employees and our communities. We > value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an > environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive > outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for > employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, > disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender > identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or > federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s > employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility > for benefits, and termination. >

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Assistant Professor- Game Design and Development
by Jeremy Hunsinger 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

Posting ID : 6015 Position Title : Assistant Professor- Game Design and Development Faculty/Academic Area : Faculty of Human and Social Sciences Department : Game Design and Development Campus : Brantford Position Summary : The Game Design and Development Program at Laurier University in Brantford, Ontario invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin July 1, 2016, subject to budgetary approval. To be considered, an applicant must possess a PhD or will nearly have completed a PhD in a relevant discipline with practical experience in digital game design and project management. The academic home for this position is in the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. The ideal candidate is a scholar with demonstrated experience in designing imaginative and innovative digital games and experience or knowledge of project management in the games industry. It is preferred that the candidate has experience in designing and developing mobile games with real-world impact. This faculty member would be responsible for leading the digital game design and development streams and would work with students seeking to create digital games and prototypes. The candidate will be expected to teach/develop courses in Project Management, Interface Design, Ethics in Gaming, and the Capstone Project in Gaming. The applicant should have an active research program, with evidence of research excellence, strong potential to attract external funding, and a commitment to mentorship of students though their research program. The successful candidate would be involved with the Brantford Games Network and the BGNlab, which connects Game Design faculty and students to the community (http://bgnlab.ca) In addition, there will be connections between the research and design interests of the candidate and other programs at the WLU Brantford campus. This candidate will exhibit a passion for the power of games to change the world and help push the Game Design and Development program and WLU toward being a leader in the field. The Game Design and Development Program is a new and rapidly growing program on the downtown Brantford campus. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts and prepares students to work within educational institutions or with corporations and non-profit organizations with the goal of initiating positive change; students will be able to create games and interactive experiences that make a difference. There is an emphasis on interdisciplinary projects between members of different programs and faculties on the WLU Brantford campus. Applicants need to submit a complete application package consisting of: - a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position and fit with the Game Design and Development program at Laurier Brantford; - a curriculum vitae; - a two-page statement of current and prospective research interests; - a two-page teaching dossier including teaching philosophy and teaching interests; - a portfolio containing up to three pieces of academic research and/or documentation about games designed by the candidate; - the names and contact information of three referees willing to provide a letter of reference Application packages may be submitted electronically to: *Dr. Scott Nicholson, Program Coordinator of Game Design and Development* *LBGDDHires(a)wlu.ca* <LBGDDHires(a)wlu.ca>

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CfP: RecSys'16 3rd Workshop on New Trends in Content-Based Recommender Systems (CBRecSys 2016)
by Toine Bogers 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

=========================================================== CALL FOR PAPERS RecSys'16 3rd Workshop on New Trends in Content-Based Recommender Systems (CBRecSys 2016) http://cbrecsys2016.aau.dk Boston, MA September 15-19, 2016 =========================================================== ------------------------ Description & Objectives ------------------------ The CBRecSys 2016 workshop provides a dedicated venue for papers dedicated to all aspects of content-based recommendation. This includes recommendation in domains where textual content is abundant (e.g., books, news, scientific articles, jobs, educational resources, Web pages, etc.) as well as dedicated comparisons of content-based techniques with collaborative filtering in different domains. Other relevant topics related to content-based recommendations could include opinion mining for text/ book recommendation, semantic recommendation, content-based recommendation to alleviate cold-start problems, deep learning for content representation, as well as serendipity, diversity and cross-domain recommendation. ------------------ Topics of interest ------------------ We invite original contributions in a variety of areas related to content-based recommendation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: * Processing and Representing Content - Estimating (implicit) ratings associated with text reviews - Opinion mining and sentiment analysis of text reviews to support content-based recommendation - Multilingual content representation - Exploiting Deep Learning approaches for content representation - Exploiting semantic technologies for processing and representing content - Extracting user personality traits and factors from text reviews for recommendation * Exploiting user generated contents - Social tag-based recommender systems - Mining microblogging data in content-based recommender systems - Exploiting Semantic Web and Linked Open Data in content-based recommender systems - User Profiling based on Big, Social and Linked Data * Mining contextual data from content - Extraction of contextual signals from text contents for recommendation - Considering the time dimension in content-based recommendation - Mood-based recommender systems * Addressing limitations of recommender system - Addressing the cold-start problem with content-based recommendation approaches – Increasing diversity in content-based recommendations - Providing novelty in content-based recommendations * Developing novel recommendation approaches - Hybrid strategies combining content-based and collaborative filtering recommendations – Content-based approaches to cross-system and cross-domain recommendation - Latent factor models for content-based and hybrid recommendation ----------- Submissions ----------- We encourage authors to submit contributions dedicated to any aspect of content-based recommendation, from diverse backgrounds and aim to promote the exchange of ideas between researchers working in the various related to content-based recommendation. Authors may submit fully-developed ideas and approaches as long papers (8 pages) and preliminary work as short papers (4 pages). For full details on the submission format and procedure, see below. Papers will be selected based on originality, quality, and ability to promote discussion. Accepted papers will be included in the workshop proceedings and published by CEUR. Extended versions of selected workshop papers may be included in a special journal issue (TBD). At least one author of each accepted paper must attend the workshop. All submissions should be in English and should not have been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Papers should be formatted in the ACM Proceedings Style (http://www.acm.org/sigs/publications/proceedings-templates) and submitted via EasyChair (https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cbrecsys2016) Submissions will be published in the workshop proceedings (CEUR-WS). --------------- Important dates --------------- * Paper submission deadline: June 24, 2016 * Notification of acceptance: July 15, 2016 * Camera-ready deadline: July 22, 2016 * RecSys and CBRecSys 2016 Workshop: September 15-19, 2016 ---------- Organizers ---------- * Toine Bogers (toine(a)hum.aau.dk) Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark * Marijn Koolen (mkoolen(a)beeldengeluid.nl) Netherlands Institute of Sound and Vision, the Netherlands * Cataldo Musto (cataldo.musto(a)uniba.it) University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Italy * Pasquale Lops (pasquale.lops(a)uniba.it) University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Italy * Giovanni Semeraro (giovanni.semeraro(a)uniba.it) University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Italy For further questions, please contact a member of the organizing committee.

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The Data Transparency Lab Grants - Call for Proposals
by Sara M. Watson 14 Apr '16

14 Apr '16

CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2016 ************************************************************************** The Data Transparency Lab Grants Program 2016 http://wwww.datatransparencylab.org DTL2016 CONFERENCE: November 17-19, 2016 Columbia University, New York City. http://dtlconferences.org/ ************************************************************************** The Data Transparency Lab is a collaborative effort between universities, businesses and institutions to support research in tools, data, and methodologies for shedding light on the use of personal data by online services, and to empower users to be in control of their personal data online. In order to support research in these areas, DTL will award 6-8 research grants to academic institutions worldwide. Such grants come in the form of a gross amount sum of 50,000 Euro that will awarded to successful applicants for pursuing research that will lead to the development of software tools for the following topics: I. Privacy-related topics: ‹ Detection with quantification and attribution of tracking, including advanced finger-printing methods ‹ Detection with quantification and attribution of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) leakage ‹ Detection with quantification and attribution of online behavioral targeting on advertising, search, recommendation, etc. ‹ Detection with quantification and attribution of location tracking ‹ Detection with quantification and attribution of cross device/platform tracking ‹ Software for comparing objectively the privacy leakage or transparency-related outcomes of other tools developed in the context of DTL or independently II. Reverse engineering efforts for transparency: ‹ Reverse engineering advertisement placement, recommendation, etc. ‹ Reverse engineering online pricing (e-commerce, spot/surge pricing for cloud, transportation, accommodation and other services) ‹ Transparent-by-design ways to using data that protects privacy ‹ HCI challenges in demonstrating transparency/privacy results to users III. Discrimination-related topics: ‹ Detection of geoblocking in e-commerce, content distribution service, etc. ‹ Impact of algorithmic personalization, algorithmic discrimination, personal filter-bubbles, & societal polarization, etc The grants are aimed towards supporting fully or partly the work of a Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one PhD student or postdoc for a time duration of approximately a year. Proposal: Submitted proposal need to clearly describe: ‹ What will the produced software tool do? ‹ Who will benefit from using it (end user, regulators, data protection authorities, privacy / anti-discrimination activists)? ‹ What is the intended plan for recruiting users? ‹ What is the novelty & technical excellence of the proposal? ‹ Justify the technical expertise of the applicants in the area. Successful applicants are expected to present their results in the annual DTL Conference (DTL2016, Nov. 17-19, Columbia University); make their software available online (by the end of 12 months counting from the reception of the grant, at the latest), and; acknowledge the funding source. Reporting obligations will be minimal and successful applicants will be eligible to apply for additional follow up funding to further curate their tool. A list of awardees will be made public on DTL websites and the Principal PI will receive notification through the email address declared in the proposal. Note: If awarded a grant, a project abstract/overview proposal may be published on DTL websites, unless applicants request the contrary. Program Committee The following committee of experts will evaluate applications: Research Committee Chairs Balachander Krishnamurthy, AT&T Labs -- Research Nikolaos Laoutaris, Telefonica Research Committee Members Ernst Biersack, Eurecom Jeff Brueggeman, AT&T John W. Byers, Boston University Claude Castelluccia, INRIA Augustin Chaintreau, Columbia University David Choffnes, Northeastern University Daniel Coloma, Telefónica Emiliano de Cristofaro, UCL Josep Domingo-Ferrer, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Krishna Gummadi, Max-Planck Institute for Software Systems Tristan Henderson, University St. Andrews Marco Melia, Politecnico di Torino Ionel Naftanalia, IAB Europe Nick Nikiforakis, Stony Brook University Chris Payne, World Federation of Advertisers Chris Riley, Mozilla Vincent Toubiana CNIL - Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés Sara Watson Tow Center and Berkman Center ______________________________________________________ Important dates for the submission/evaluation process are provided below: - Call for proposals opening date: March 15th, 2016. - Proposal Submission deadline: Apr 30th, 2016 (11:59 pm), Madrid (CEST) time. - Notification of grants awarded: Early June 2016. ______________________________________________________ The application process must include: -- A main description of up to 3 pages (9pt font) explaining succinctly the main idea, its relevance to DTL, what will be produced and the main innovation with respect to current state of the art in the area. -- CV of Principal Investigator and main student (2 pages each). Both documents should be submitted as a single PDF file along with the information of the applicants at the submission site of DTL at: https://dtlresearch.tid.es/dtl2016 More details about the submission and evaluation process can be found in the DTL Award Grants Handbook (http://datatransparencylab.org/docs/handbook2016.pdf) or contacting DTL at: grants(a)datatransparencylab.org =========================================================================== ======================================= For more information about the DTL Grants Program, please visit: http://www.datatransparencylab.org/grants-program.html ***EMAIL*** If you have any questions, please contact the organisers at grants(a)datatransparencylab.org =========================================================================== ======================================= Thank you, Data Transparency Lab grants(a)datatransparencylab.org

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Book Announcement: Off-Track and Online - The Networked Spaces of Horse Racing
by Holly Kruse 13 Apr '16

13 Apr '16

I would ordinarily not want to post an announcement promoting my own book, but the Association of Internet Researchers was crucial to me as I was writing it (over the course of many years) and so many AoIRers were terribly important to me throughout the process, that I can't help myself. I wrote this in the preface: "The Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) has given me a scholarly home, a source of inspiration, a system of support, and an outlet for ideas for many years. AoIR and its brilliant people have kept me going and kept me thinking." So, thank you! Here's the book description from https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/track-and-online (the book is also available at: http://www.amazon.com/Off-Track-Online-Networked-Spaces-Racing/dp/0262034417) Holly ----- Off-Track and Online The Networked Spaces of Horse Racing By Holly Kruse Overview The horse racing industry has been a pioneer in interactive media, information networks, and their deployment. The race track and the off-track betting parlor offer interactive media environments that reconfigure the relationships among private and public space and presence and copresence. In this book, Holly Kruse explores how horse racing has used media over the last several decades, arguing that examining the history and context of horse racing and gambling gives us a clearer understanding of the development of data networks, media complexes, public entertainment, and media publics. Kruse describes an enormous industry that depends on global information and communication flows made possible by a network linking racetracks, homes, off-track betting, farms, and auction sites. Racetrack architecture now allows for the presence of screens, most showing races from other locations. Online betting sites enable bettors to wager from home. Off-track betting facilities collect wagers on races from all over the country. Odds are set interactively through the pari-mutuel market system. Kruse considers the uses of public space, and its redefinition by public screens; the effect of interactive media on the racing industry, including networked, in-home betting; the “technopanic” over online poker and the popularity of in-home pari-mutuel wagering; and the use of social media by racing fans to share information and creative work with no financial payoff. Holly Kruse is Associate Professor of Communications at Rogers State University Endorsements “The seemingly low-tech world of horse racing, we learn in this fascinating book, has long served as a test bed—and, sometimes, a hotbed—for innovations in communication and information technology. Moving from Victorian racetracks to off-track betting shops, contemporary ‘racinos,’ and the living rooms of online gamblers, Kruse approaches each site as an experiment with the new media of the day—from the telegraph to the telephone, mechanical ‘totalizers’ to computerized wagering software, simulcast screens to at-home interactive television. Off-Track and Online offers a novel and timely vantage on the ways in which digital media are reorganizing public and private life today.” —Natasha Dow Schüll, author of Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas “This carefully researched study explores how horse racing has adapted to new media technologies, placing its recent evolution into a rich historical context. Kruse is to be applauded for giving racing the attention it deserves as it transitions to the social media age and for providing valuable insights to those interested in gambling, media, and technology.” —David G. Schwartz, Director, Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; author of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling

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Re: [Air-L] Gender and surveys
by Umar Ruhi 13 Apr '16

13 Apr '16

Thanks for bringing this up Sky and thanks to everyone else for a very useful discussion on this important issue. I have to admit that in the past, I have experimented with several variations on the gender question including providing the “other” and/or the “prefer not to say” options. I have also used a text field which resulted in some rather rowdy data being entered in that field – which while fun to read through, made us doubt the seriousness of responses on the rest of the survey. We took a rather more traditional/conservative approach this time, but I do like the suggestion about non-binary male/female with prefer not to say. Will certainly give this more thought for our next survey. Thanks, Umar Ruhi umar.ruhi(a)uottawa.ca University of Ottawa

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