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Please help: survey on collaborative research tools
by Mihály Héder 30 May '14

30 May '14

Dear All, I would like to ask you a little help with a research project. I'm working on a study on how to connect scientists/students/researchers to each other with federative technologies (like SAML, OpenId and others) properly. This involves using collaborative platforms, accessing journal articles, accessing cloud and grid resources, using ORCID as an identifier, etc. Please help me by filling the following survey (it takes 10 minutes max): http://survey.hexaa.eu *and* by forwarding this mail to everyone you can think of. The more (and not only tech-savvy) people we reach, the better. So please, do not leave out anyone who has the slightest chance to use the internet (friends, family, students, mailing lists, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, etc.) The survey itself aims to find out what the current state of research collaboration is, collaborate today, what kind of personal data are they willing to share, etc. The survey is anonymous, but if you complete it you will be able to sign up on a separate page for a copy of the white paper with the results. Thank you very much Mihály Héder Computer and Automation Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

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Book Announcement
by Tony Cline 29 May '14

29 May '14

With apologies for self-promotion, Information Communication Technology and Social Transformation: A Social and Historical Perspective, Hugh F. Cline, Routledge, 2014. This book argues that information communication technologies are not creating new forms of social structure, but rather altering long-standing institutions and amplifying existing trends of social change that have their origins in ancient times. Using a comparative historical perspective, it analyzes the applications of information communication technologies in relation to changes in norms and values, education institutions, the socialization of children, new forms of deviant and criminal behaviors, enhanced participation in religious activities, patterns of knowledge creation and use, the expansion of consumerism, and changing experiences of distance and time. Hugh F (Tony) Cline Adjunct Professor of Sociology and Education Teachers College, Columbia University hc401(a)columbia.edu Telephone 609 921-6979 Fax 609 921-0169

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Oxford: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Ethics of Big Data with JRF at St Cross College
by Luciano Floridi 29 May '14

29 May '14

Philosophers and Ethicists are very welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. ———————————————————--———————————————— Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Ethics of Big Data, Oxford Internet Institute associated with a non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship at St Cross College University of Oxford Grade 7: £29,837 - £36,661 p.a. We are a leading world centre for the multidisciplinary study of the Internet and society, looking for a full-time Researcher to work on a funded project, “The Ethics of Biomedical Big Data”, led by Professor Luciano Floridi. The analysis of large datasets (Big Data) has become a major driver of innovation and success in biomedical research. However, the use of Biomedical Big Data raises serious ethical problems, which may threaten the huge opportunities it offers. This pilot project will formulate a blueprint of the ethical aspects, requirements and desiderata underpinning a European framework for the ethical use of Big Data in biomedical research. Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, have a strong interest in information/computer ethics and proven experience in ethical and policy analysis and writing papers based on qualitative and/or quantitative research. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Floridi and a multidisciplinary team of researchers, and will be able to take a lead in project management, conceptual analysis, and the dissemination of results. Based at our OII North office at 34 St Giles, Oxford, this position is available from 1 October 2014 for 1 year, with a possibility of extension beyond that date, depending on funding. The post is associated with a non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship at St Cross College for its duration. Details of the College and its facilities are available on the College website at: www.stx.ox.ac.uk. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. To apply for this role and for further details, including a job description and selection criteria, please click on the link below: https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobs… The application deadline is 12.00 midday on Thursday 26 June 2014. Interviews for those shortlisted are currently planned to take place in the week commencing 21 July 2014. Best wishes, Luciano _______________________________________________________ www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/floridi/ | www.philosophyofinformation.net Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Information Director of Research Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford PA Mrs. Julia Farquet, julia.farquet(a)oii.ox.ac.uk Twitter: @Floridi Tel: +44 (0) 1865 287202 1 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3JS, UK

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Thomas Piketty, Karl Marx and the Internet
by Christian Fuchs 29 May '14

29 May '14

Fuchs, Christian. 2014. Thomas Piketty’s Book “Capital in the Twenty-First Century”, Karl Marx and the Political Economy of the Internet. tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique 12 (1): 413-430. http://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/575 Abstract Thomas Piketty’s book Capital in the Twenty-First Century has resulted in a sustained political and academic debate about capitalism in the 21st century. This article discusses the relevance of the book in the context of Karl Marx’s works and the political economy of the Internet. It identifies 3 common reactions to Piketty’s book: 1) dignification; 2) denigration of the work’s integrity; 3) the denial of any parallel to Marx. I argue that all three reactions do not help the task of creating a New Left that is urgently needed in the situation of sustained capitalist crisis. Marxists will certainly view Piketty’s analysis of capitalism and political suggestions critically. I argue that they should however not dismiss them, but like Marx and Engels aim to radicalise reform suggestions. In relation to the Internet, this paper discusses especially how insights from Piketty’s book can inform the discussion of tax avoidance by transnational Internet companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon. For establishing an alternative, non-commercial, non-capitalist Internet one can draw insights about institutional reforms and progressive capital taxation from Piketty that can be radicalised in order to ground radical-reformist Internet politics. “The daily struggle for reforms, for the amelioration of the condition of the workers within the framework of the existing social order, and for democratic institutions, offers to the social democracy the only means of engaging in the proletarian class war and working in the direction of the final goal-the conquest of political power and the suppression of wage labor. Between social reforms and revolution there exists for the social democracy an indissoluble tie. The struggle for reforms is its means; the social revolution, its aim” (Rosa Luxemburg 1899, 41).

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CfP: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Urban Computing now due 22 June 2014
by Marcus Foth 29 May '14

29 May '14

Transdisciplinary Approaches to Urban Computing Special Issue of the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies (IJHCS) http://bit.ly/TAUC-CfP edited by Hannu Kukka, University of Oulu Marcus Foth, Queensland University of Technology Sebastian Boring, University of Copenhagen Anind K. Dey, Carnegie Mellon University tauc.editors(a)gmail.com Deadline for submissions extended until 22 June 2014 DESCRIPTION The research field of urban computing – defined as “the integration of computing, sensing, and actuation technologies into everyday urban settings and lifestyles” [1] – considers the design and use of ubiquitous computing technology in public and shared urban environments. Its impact on cities, buildings, and spaces evokes innumerable kinds of change [2]. Embedded into our everyday lived environments, urban computing technologies have the potential to alter the meaning of physical space, and affect the activities performed in those spaces. In this special issue, we invite contributions to a multi-themed discussion of various aspects that make up the, at times, messy and certainly transdisciplinary field of urban computing and urban informatics. The starting point for the proposed special issue is a call for a more transdisciplinary approach to the design and evaluation of urban computing systems that regards these systems as holistic, organic and evolving constructs comprising three interrelated components: people, place, technology. Following Nicolescu [3], we use the term transdisciplinarity to signify the positioning of urban computing research at once between different disciplines, across these disciplines, and beyond all discipline. The term differs from the related concepts of multidisciplinarity, where a topic is studied by several disciplines that are in service of a base discipline, and interdisciplinarity, where methods from one discipline are transferred to another. Looking at urban computing from a transdisciplinary perspective is useful in that a large methodological and theoretical gap exists in much of the current literature. Often, the epistemological, methodological, theoretical, and practical contributions of relevant fields of study (e.g., computer science, architecture and design, and social sciences) do not connect to form a solid basis for the advancement of cities and city life. Despite the inherent complexity and transdisciplinary nature of urban computing as a subject of study, few such efforts have been undertaken. However, moving the field forward requires explorations of the opportunities and challenges inherent in truly transdisciplinary work by researchers from several interrelated fields of study coming together to design, build, and evaluate urban computing systems. In the proposed special issue we call for contributions from both practical and theoretical points of view discussing the practice and promise of transdisciplinary work in the field of urban computing and urban informatics. Specifically, we hope to elicit contributions from researchers in the various fields closely related to urban computing such as computer science, social sciences (e.g., cultural anthropology), and architecture and urban design. We envision the following contributions: (1) experience reports on transdisciplinary projects in real-life urban settings, reporting results from urban computing studies conducted in a transdisciplinary manner; and (2) theoretical/conceptual discussions on the merits of understanding the topic not only from a technological perspective, taking into consideration the various interrelated disciplines and fields of study. The proposed topic is timely and significant, since more and more explorations are conducted “at large” or "in-the-wild,” i.e. outside traditional research laboratory settings. This move from controlled laboratories to messy real-life environments is far from trivial, and requires an integrated approach that both takes into account and respects the inherent transdisciplinarity that carrying out high quality research in such settings requires. Hence, contributions in the proposed special issue should be of interest to a large and varied audience of researchers and practitioners who either already do research “in-the-wild,” or hope to transition to such work in the future. REFERENCES [1] Kindberg, C., Chalmers, M., Paulos, E. (2007) Guest Editor’s Introduction: Urban Computing. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 6(3), 18-20. [2] Fuller, M. (2013) Foreword. In: Throughout: Art and Culture Emerging with Ubiquitous Computing. MIT Press. [3] Nicolescu, B. (2001) Manifesto of Transdisciplinarity. Translated from French by Karen-Claire Voss. State of New York Press: New York. AIMS AND SCOPE The aim of this Special Issue is to present high quality, original, manuscripts related to the issue of transdisciplinary approaches to the field of urban computing. Manuscripts must be original, but significant expansions and revisions of papers recently presented at conferences and workshops will be considered. Possible topics include but are not limited to: • Experience reports on transdisciplinary projects in real-life urban settings • Reporting results from urban computing studies conducted in a transdisciplinary manner • Theoretical/conceptual discussions on the need for / the advancement of transdisciplinary work We are looking to publish a mix (roughly 50/50) of papers with a theoretical and practical contribution, depending of course on the number and types of submissions we receive. PAPER SUBMISSION Deadline: manuscripts are now due 22 June 2014 but early submissions are encouraged. All contributions will be rigorously peer reviewed to the usual exacting standards of the IJHCS journal. Further information, including submission procedures and advice on formatting and preparing your manuscript, can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-human-computer-st… Manuscripts are submitted via the Elsevier Editorial System (EES) at: http://ees.elsevier.com/ijhcs/ To discuss a possible contribution, please contact the special issue editors at: tauc.editors(a)gmail.com For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/TAUC-CfP -- Associate Professor Marcus Foth Director, Urban Informatics Research Lab Principal Research Fellow, School of Design Queensland University of Technology 130 Victoria Park Road, Brisbane QLD 4059, Australia m.foth(a)qut.edu.au – @sunday9pm – http://www.urbaninformatics.net/ CRICOS No. 00213J

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Visualizing gaps in political participation? Online bridges/wedges
by Steven Clift 28 May '14

28 May '14

Last year I took a deep dive into the Pew Internet and American Life's Civic Engagement in the Digital Age report: http://bit.ly/pewcivic Long story short, the report seems to suggest that despite a closing digital divide, online participation is not helping close the democratic divide based on income, education, race, age, etc. Before I beat a louder drum that says, "hey, investments and experiments with open government and civic tech should raise new voices and not settle for just amplifying the voices of those who already show up" I need better/broader/fresher numbers. I need visualizations that show the greatest gaps in political participation both in general and online to guide efforts that seek to generate the most results. So, who has those charts, etc.? Or do you want to help generate some? Thanks, Steven Clift E-Democracy.org P.S. If you scroll down you'll see some slides of note with numbers: http://bit.ly/newvoicesvideo - I am looking for far more pleasing displays of this research like this. ᐧ

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Open Call for Collaborators> Interactivos? Birmingham: Responsive and immersive future technologies
by Medialab-Prado Comunicación 28 May '14

28 May '14

*MEDIALAB-PRADO* *Plaza**de las Letras** **Calle Ala**meda, 15** **28014 Madrid T. 912 191 157** ****www.medialab-prado.es** ****Entrada gratuita * * * Interactivos? Birmingham: Responsive and immersive future technologies <http://medialab-prado.es/article/interactivosbirminghamcollaborators> Open Call for Collaborators Pleased to announce seven projects <http://medialab-prado.es/article/birminghamselectedprojects> for Interactivos Birmingham 2014 have been chosen from an international open call, with an unprecedented response. These projects will be worked on and developed intensely over a two week period in a workshop studio at *mac birmingham <http://www.macarts.co.uk/>* from June 16 - 28. For this process, we need collaborators! Coming from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, these collaborators will offer their knowledge and expertise, and work alongside a project of their choice over the two week period. These projects <http://medialab-prado.es/article/birminghamselectedprojects> aim to expand on the use of electronic and software tools for artists, designers and educators, aiming to develop interactive tools to create engaging experiences for audiences and communities Deadline for registrations: June 13, 2014. No entry fees. *More information: http://medialab-prado.es*

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New master study: WebDataMetrics
by Lozar-Manfreda, Katja 28 May '14

28 May '14

A new master study on web-based data collection and analysis that might be of interest to some of you or your students .... MASTER IN WEBDATAMETRICS. Web-based data collection and analysis. Join the future, be one of the first to be educated in Webdatametrics, the science of collecting and using digital data in the behavioural and social sciences! The Master in Webdatametrics – web based data collection and analysis offers a front of the line top quality programme in the area of Internet-based data collection methods and Big Data analysis. The programme was created by the Webdatametrics Academic Board elected from members of the COST network Webdatanet. It joins together academics and researchers from the best Universities and departments in Europe. The Webdatametrics concept emerges from the existing diverse variety of disciplines related to web data collection methods and analyses. Putting this knowledge together, Webdatametrics students will generate new knowledge and take advantage of information and communication technologies (ICT) to collect data for scientific and business purposes. The Master in Webdatametrics is a 120 ECTS (two year) post-graduate course that follows a blended system with face to face classes, online 3.0. teaching and a face to face training period. This blended methodology gives the student flexibility in their location and the opportunity to work with the best teachers and researchers in the field, on a world-wide scale in a top quality academic programme of excellence. In addition, the Webdatanet network and Master opens the possibility for our students to be placed through internships in a strict selection process in top Research Institutes, the best University departments, and some of the most reputable International Institutions and Enterprises worldwide. The first edition of The Master in Webdatametrics, web based data collection and analysis begins in September 2014. Registration process starts on the 5th of May till the 30th of June 2014. We invite you to submit your application and join the future which this programme offers for you today. www.webdatametrics.org ****************************************** Katja Lozar Manfreda, Phd Assistant professor University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia Tel: +386 1 5805 313 Email: katja.lozar(a)fdv.uni-lj.si

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2015 ISA Conference Panel: Seeking Abstracts
by Rex Troumbley 27 May '14

27 May '14

Aloha AoIR-ers, We have organized a panel for the 2015 ISA conference, but one of our paper presenters had to withdraw last minute and so there’s an opening for anyone interested. The ISA conference is the annual meeting of the International Studies Association<http://www.isanet.org/Conferences/NewOrleans2015/Call.aspx> and will be held this year in New Orleans from February 18th-21st, 2015. Our panel is titled “Digital Politics and the Networked Eye” and the abstract is below. The panel will be chaired by Mark Salter<https://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/pol/professor-profile?id=127>from the University of Ottowa and our discussant will be Jose Marichal <http://www.callutheran.edu/faculty/profile.php?id=marichal> from California Lutheran University. The call for papers deadline is soon, so if you are interested in joining our panel please send a 200 word abstract to Rex Troumbley at rextroumbley(a)gmail.com as soon as possible. The lasted we can accept abstracts is Thursday, May 29, 2014. We will let you if your abstract fits our panel by May 30th. Thank you all. Rex Troumbley, PhD Candidate Department of Political Science University of Hawaii at Manoa Panel Title: Digital Politics and the Networked Eye Abstract: The contemporary proliferation of networked devices and social medias, interfaces and monitors, ubiquitous data collection, and remote killing technologies has created a tension between transparency and opacity to fundamentally deform politics today. The universalization of surveillance and optics via infrastructural technologies merits critical attention. However, most work surveying the implications of the networked eye misrepresented it as analogous to the theory of social control described by Foucault as the Panopticon. The papers on this panel go beyond the Panoptic trope to consider the tension between transparency and opacity in the age of networked optics. Instead they consider how transparency and opacity can be used as tool of resistance, the kinds of publics which are created or deformed by what they see online, how opacity can be useful or limiting to the work of visual culture, and consequently how networked devices themselves see.

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5th-year PhD student seeking postdocs or visiting fellowships in e-participation-related research in New York
by Karin Hansson 27 May '14

27 May '14

Dear all, I am a PhD student in Computer and System Sciences at Stockholm University in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Art. I have a background in the visual arts as an artist and curator, with a focus on the aesthetics and social aspects of communication technology. In my thesis, I have looked at how belonging and community is materialized and performed online, and I have developed e-tools for collaboration. I am also interested in how big data can be used to highlight representation in online public spheres and the difference-making processes within and between these spheres. Is anyone currently seeking a postdoc in these areas in New York city, or know of related research centers? I am currently engaged in a Swedish research project on e-participation and urban planning, and might be able to partly finance a post doc if I can do a comparative study in New York. (I prefer to stay in NY of family reasons) Thanks in advance, Karin Hansson http://people.dsv.su.se/~khansson/

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