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CFM: Symbolic Interaction and AI--Final Call
by Sarina Chen 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Dear Colleagues, Greetings! Below please find the final call of CFM: *Symbolic Interaction and AI*, Vol. 61 of *Studies in Symbolic Interaction: A Bi-annual Book Series*, published by Emerald Publishing. Thank you very much for your consideration. Looking forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Shing-Ling Sarina Chen *Studies in Symbolic Interaction* ********************************************* CFM: Symbolic Interaction and AI Artificial Intelligence (AI), an umbrella term that includes any device capable of emulating or even exceeding human capabilities, emerged as computer technologies became more sophisticated and complex. While AI currently evokes frightened responses associated with human replacement, it has a history of being useful regarding human enterprises. For instance, mathematical analysts have used AI to find patterns in huge sets of data. However, recent rapid developments in AI have utilized the pattern-matching capacity to create words, images, and sounds independent of human intention , often referred to as Generative AI. In 2021, Open-AI introduced Dall-E, a-text-to-image generator that creates artworks after receiving text prompts from users. In 2022, Open-AI unveiled ChatGPT, a computer program designed to simulate conversation with users. After receiving inputs from users, ChatGPT displayed the capacity to provide lifelike answers, including grammatically correct essays that appeared filled with human insight. Also in 2022, Google introduced an AI text-to-video generator that created high-definition videos from text prompts. When considering the above developments, Al has become equated with raw human intelligence, from authoring cogent essays to completing artistic and intricate designs. Most alarming, those who consume information and design feel that they cannot easily discern the difference between a genuine human creation or the work of AI. As mentioned in regard to mathematical analysis, using AI for analytical purposes is not a new phenomenon. Neither is such use restricted to our current day-to-day lives. Before Dall-E, ChatGPT, and the AI video tool, humans have long employed "assisted living," using AI technologies such as Alexa and Siri to create and assist voices, turn on and off appliances, answer short queries, and make transmission of information easier to accomplish. In addition, various AI programs appeared at workplaces that served as useful ways to type, make phone calls, and even to transport people from place to place. One dimension of AI that fascinates students of technology is not only its capacity to simulate human activity, but to learn ways of communicating. Such learning emerges through the use of mathematical systems to find connections in huge data sets. The responses AI generate consist of pattern matching, or a process that connects words, images, and sounds to sequences of subsequent symbols. In effect, AI is powered by large language models in which a bot can ingest huge amounts of data. Such ingestion enables a bot to predict and generate the most appropriate word or symbol to generate. While these chatbots do not duplicate human intelligence in that they lack the capacities to understand the environment around them or distinguish factual from non-factual information, they still represent potential dangers. Their incapacity to duplicate human intelligence becomes a source of intriguing content; the chatbots may churn out wrong or nonsensical information (a phenomenon called " hallucinations") regarded as potential insights. In response to these hallucinations, humans work closely with AI as attendants in various fields including business, medicine, education, journalism, and public safety. Despite the rapid advancement of AI, and the astonishing potential of AI in transforming social life, social scientists have not accumulated much knowledge regarding human-AI interaction. For this reason, it seems crucial to explore the implications of the emergent interaction between humans and AI technologies. *Studies in Symbolic Interaction: A Bi-annual Book Series*, Vol. 61, *Symbolic Interaction and AI*, is devoted to examinations of the implications of utilizing AI in human reflexivity and social interaction. Human Reflexivity and AI: From Dyad to Triad AI, although designed to enhance efficiency and productivity, challenges human reflexivity in ways that we did not anticipate. When typing a sentence, AI accompanies a user in an intellectually intimate fashion by suggesting what is to be typed (specific words or phrases to be used) and flagging misspelled words and grammatical errors. Hence the user not only authors an intended statement but also constantly attends to AI suggestions. AI assisted typing may expedite the typing and enhance the quality of the text. However, the level of reflexivity needed when doing assisted typing seems to be substantial and laborious. AI assisted writing also gives a new definition to single authorship. To further examine the activity of reflexivity and the use of AI, one may examine the interaction of AI with (a) I and Me, (b) Self and Generalized Other, and (c) Self and Other(s) in SI literature. I, Me, and AI In classic SI literature, reflexivity is conceptualized as the interaction between the I and the Me. Using AI creates the appearance of a generated I and Me, one that emerges in the creative process. Such emergence leads to question the relationship of the newly formed triad--I, Me, and AI. Specifically, is AI now challenging the authority of me? The question relates to how AI seems to be based on vast (objective) databases, while Me is based on one's experiential (and subjective) socialization. Self, Generalized Other, and AI Mead discussed the Self in reference the Generalized Other, especially when engaged in the process of making an existential decision. Currently, however, AI’s emergence on the scene could make AI appear to be more applicable than the Generalized Other. As an immediate (and often forceful) source of correction, AI represents the seemingly reliable patterns found in vast databases, while Generalized Other appears less linked to current technology (and more associated with a less sophisticated process of socialization). As interactionists, we ask, what is the relationship between AI and the Self and AI and the Generalized Other? Are we in the process of confronting a newly formed triad consisting of the Self, Generalized Other, and AI? Self, Other(s), and AI Interactionists have maintained that humans take each other into account when engaging in social interaction. However, the emergence of AI leads to the question of how humans incorporate AI in their interaction with others. Should humans assign more weight to AI than the responses from other human interactants, if after all, AI becomes a more valid and objective source of information? However, while AI may seem as more valid, it could subvert the human’s creative process. Suggestions by AI could actually be a form of second guessing, providing a barrage of useless suggestions. AI could clog a user's creative process, by dispensing warnings or “error signals” that interrupt the flow of human activity. Instead of coming up with new insights, AI can interrupt the reflexivity associated with creativity. Social Interaction and AI Among different forms of interaction with AI, the one that has garnered much attention is the use of AI companions for mental health. Although lacking the distinctly familiar companionship that humans experience with one another, an AI companion exhibits potential for mental health care. AI companions can assist with users’ wellness and provide social support. AI companions work to support mental wellness, first, by allowing a user to describe his/her mood through writing, voice, note, or video. Then, the AI companion would quickly analyze the user's statement for signs of anxiety, depression, or loneliness, and provide a personalized, conversational recommendation for how the user can feel his/her best. Chatbots, designed to provide digital companionship, provide conversations that appear helpful owing to the immediacy of responsiveness. Using the vast exemplary examples of human responsiveness, chatbots effectively (at least seemingly so) display provocative personality traits and conversational flair. In so doing, AI companions allow users to share their feelings and thoughts, provide empathetic language to support them, and help humans deal with loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The AI “therapists” provide a sense of connection, and contribute to users' well-being. Questions to be addressed in this area also include how users develop relationships with AI companions like they do with traditional mental health providers, how trauma is processed using AI companions. Given the vast possibilities associated with the above, we welcome empirical research articles or conceptual papers that analyze and assess how AI is experienced in all human life endeavors. Topics to be addressed include, but not limit to: Mind and AI Self and AI Mental Health and AI Social Relationships and AI Medicine and AI Business and AI Education and AI Public Safety and AI Please send an abstract of no more than 750 words to Shing-Ling Sarina Chen (sarina.chen(a)uni.edu) by March 1, 2024. If the abstract is selected for inclusion, the final manuscript is due September 1, 2024. Looking forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Shing-Ling Sarina Chen Studies in Symbolic Interaction *********************************************** ReplyForward

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2024 State of the Net Keynote Transcripts
by Joly MacFie 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Alan Davidson, NTIA Representative Don Beyer Deirdre Mulligan, White House Brendan Carr, FCC Alvaro Bedoya, FTC Keith Sonderling, EEOC Anna M. Gomez, FCC Clare Martorana & Mina Hsiang, White House Robert Silvers, DHS https://open.substack.com/pub/joly/p/2024-state-of-the-net-keynote-transcri… Mostly about AI, but Brendan Carr goes off on Title II and Apple's "walled garden', and Anna Gomez puts out an impassioned defense of ACP. -- -------------------------------------- Joly MacFie +12185659365 -------------------------------------- -

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Save the Date - Robert Gorwa at Manchester Metropolitan on Friday 1st March at 16:00 - The Politics of Platform Regulation
by Sophie Helen Bishop 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

*Eventbrite and room details to follow shortly! Save the date! * Date: Friday 1st March Time: 16:00 Location: Manchester Metropolitan University *Robert Gorwa (WBZ Berlin Social Science Centre)The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation* As digital platforms have become more integral to not just how we live, but also to how we do politics, the rules governing online expression, behaviour, and interaction created by large multinational technology firms --- popularly termed ‘content moderation,’ ‘platform governance,’ or ‘trust and safety’ --- have increasingly become the target of government regulatory efforts seeking to shape them. In this talk, Robert Gorwa provides a summary of his first book, forthcoming with Oxford University Press, which provides a conceptual and empirical analysis of this important and emerging tech policy terrain of ‘platform regulation.’ How, why, and where exactly is it happening? Why now? And how do we best understand the vast array of strategies being deployed across jurisdictions to tackle this issue? *Bio* Robert Gorwa is a postdoctoral research fellow at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. He conducts interdisciplinary empirical and conceptual research addressing the politics of technology policy with a special interest in government-industry relations and emerging socio-technical governance arrangements in the platform economy. Gorwa received his doctorate from the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford and is currently a fellow at the Center for Democracy and Technology and Centre for International Governance Innovation, as well as a co-founder of the Platform Governance Research Network (PlatGovNet). -- Dr Sophie Bishop www.sophiehelenbishop.com | @sophiehbishop

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Symposium on Indigenous Matters & IFLA Journal Special Edition
by Ocepek, Melissa G 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Symposium on Indigenous Matters and IFLA Journal Special Edition The Hybrid Symposium will take place at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, Mexico on Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8, 2024. There will be additional seminars during the same week and we strongly encourage symposium participants to attend these events as well if possible. The final paper deadline will be after the symposium (likely in the fall of 2024) to provide authors with the opportunity to include feedback received during the symposium. Paper submissions will undergo double-blind peer review in consideration for publication in the IFLA Journal. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Indigenous Matters Section, with the FAIFE and CLM Advisory Groups seeks abstracts for a hybrid symposium on the following theme: “Stewarding Indigenous Knowledge through Ethics, Law, and the Archive” Indigenous knowledges, languages and histories are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums, but often face issues which stem from colonialism, structural racism or assimilation. Professionals working and researching in these areas must work with Indigenous knowledge experts and systems of memory, to consider legal issues and ethical mandates when acting as custodians of the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples. With the expansion of digital collections and archives, these issues can be highlighted, healed or reinforced in complex ways. In this symposium, participants will share their knowledge and receive considered feedback on topics ranging from: * Legal developments affecting Traditional Cultural Expressions * Collaborations between Indigenous Peoples and heritage institutions that empower Indigenous knowledges and cultural heritage * Fair use versus misappropriation of Indigenous cultural items * Ethical priorities for libraries when supporting Indigenous knowledges, languages, and histories These topics are not meant to be exclusive, but rather to demonstrate some of the potential issues to be explored in the Symposium. We welcome workshops, paper discussions, and other formats of presentations (not just formal presentations). The Symposium is held jointly by the Copyright and Other Legal Matters Advisory Committee, the FAIFE Advisory Committee and the Indigenous Matters Section of IFLA. The Special Issue reflects IFLA Journal’s tradition for timely discussion and the widest community engagement with emerging trends, cutting-edge best-practice, and innovative research. We invite all interested researchers and practitioners to submit their proposals to the Symposium Issue for constructive feedback. Researchers and practitioners can implement the initial feedback gained during the Symposium before final paper submission. Contributions can relate to any LIS sector. We particularly welcome contributions from Indigenous and First Nation Peoples. While the symposium is a hybrid event, organizers strongly encourage presenters to attend in person. Please note on your submission whether you plan to attend the event in person in Mexico City during the week of August 5-9. Kindly submit abstract proposals to Sara Benson at srbenson(a)illinois.edu<mailto:srbenson@illinois.edu> for best consideration by March 27, 2024. Abstract proposals must include the following: Name, title, employer or affiliated organization, country, and email of speaker(s) Brief biographical statement about each speaker (maximum 100 words) including clear identity information (i.e. Indigenous Nation or community membership, non-Indigenous presenter) Title of proposed presentation Abstract of presentation (maximum of 300 words), including specific mention of Indigenous involvement in the topic of the presentation. Willingness to comply with IFLA’s Authors’ Permission (Papers / Slides will be published in IFLA’s online Repository following the conference) Indication of whether presentation will be in-person or remote For in-person presentations: Confirmation that at least one of the authors can attend the IFLA symposium and present in-person if accepted. (If sponsorship as a Featured Speaker is sought, please indicate). For virtual presentations: Confirmation that a recorded presentation will be made available to the session organizers at least one week before the scheduled session. Confirmation that presenters will be available to participate virtually in the discussion. Limited sponsorship is available if you wish to attend in person but lack funding to travel. Please note on your proposal if you seek sponsorship as a Featured Speaker. The symposium will be the basis for a Special Edition of the IFLA Journal. Please plan to submit a full-length article for the IFLA Journal Edition based on your presentation for inclusion in the Journal. Please note that journal submissions will undergo double-blind peer review. Partner and Sponsor Opportunities Is your organization interested in supporting the Indigenous Matters Symposium? Partnerships and sponsorships are available to fund Featured Speakers, student attendance, and more. If you are interested in sponsoring this symposium, please contact Sara Benson at srbenson(a)illinois.edu<mailto:srbenson@illinois.edu> Guest Editors of the symposium and the IFLA Journal Special Edition: Jade Alburo is the Librarian/Curator for Southeast Asian, Pacific Islands, and Asian American Studies at UCLA Library. Prior to UCLA, she was a Reference Librarian in the Library of Congress’ Main Reading Room and a CIRLA Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. Jade holds an MLS from the University of Maryland, College Park, an MA in Folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a BA in English and Religious Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently serves on the IFLA Indigenous Matters Standing Committee (2021-2025) and was previously chair of the 2016 National Diversity in Libraries Conference (NDLC, now IDEAL) and president (2012-2013) of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). Sara Benson is the copyright librarian and an associate professor at the Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an affiliated associate professor with the Center for Global Studies, European Union Center, and the School for Information Science at the University of Illinois. She currently serves as Head of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organization. She holds a JD from the University of Houston Law Center, an LLM from the School of Law at Berkeley, and an MSLIS from the School of Information Science at the University of Illinois. Prior to joining the library, Sara was a lecturer at the University of Illinois College of Law for ten years. Sara is the best selling editor of the ACRL book titled “Copyright Conversations,” and the author of the ALA Editions book titled “Compact Copyright.” Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita is a research fellow based at the University of South Africa, (UNISA) and a National Research Foundation ( NRF) South Africa C2 rated researcher ( 2023-2028). He is an author of five books, numerous journal articles and book chapters. Collence has been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of South Africa from 2018 to 2021. He has served as a Standing Committee (SC) for IFLA -Literacy and Read Section ( 2009-2013). Collence is currently the Secretary of the Africa Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AFLIA) Library Education and Training Institutions Section (LETIS). His current co-edited book “Fombad, Madeleine C., Chisita, Collence Takaingenhamo, Onyancha, Omwoyo Bosire and Minishi-Majanja, Mabel K. Information Services for a Sustainable Society: Current Developments in an Era of Information Disorder, Berlin, and Boston: De Gruyter Saur, 2023. <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/doi.org/10.1515/9783110772753**Bis__;4oC…> https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110772753”is<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/doi.org/10.1515/9783110772753**Bis__;4oC…> gaining traction on a global scale within the Information Science landscape. Collence is a knowledge activist with a voracious appetite to collaborate and build a better world. Collence has traveled the world as a presenter and keynote speaker at international LIS , ICT and humanities conferences. Dr. Raj Kumar Bhardwaj is the recipient of the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the UK, he's committed to excellence. Notable honours include the Informatics Innovation Award 2022, Informatics Outstanding Researcher Award 2022, and ASIALA Outstanding Research Award. Currently Chief Librarian at St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, he's been pivotal as Assistant Professor at the Central University of Punjab. He introduced four new courses aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. Holding a Doctorate from the University of Delhi, he has over 65 research publications, and delivered more than 100 talks, and trained 500+ Government school librarians in Delhi. Dr. Bhardwaj completed several major research projects and was involved with IFLA's IM section as an Information Coordinator. He is also the founder of startup ISVI which works for visually impaired students. Dr. Mohit Garg<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/web.iitd.ac.in/*gargmohit/__;fg!!DZ3fjg!…> is working as Assistant Librarian (Senior Scale) at Central Library, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. Before joining the IIT Delhi, he worked as Assistant Librarian at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (A Central University), Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. He has qualified UGC-NET-JRF and Ph.D. from IGNOU, New Delhi. He holds B.Tech(IT) from USICT, GGSIPU, New Delhi, and MSLIS from Indian Statistical Institute Bangalore. He is a two continuous term (2017-2021, 2021-2025) Standing Committee Member of IFLA Indigenous Matter Section, Netherlands, and other international and national associations. He has published Research papers in Scopus Indexed, and UGC CARE Listed Journals. His areas of interest are Application of ICT, Open Science, Research Methodology, Research Ethics, Information Retrieval, Data Science, and Machine learning. Dr. Melissa G. Ocepek is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the School of Information Sciences. Her research draws on ethnographic methods and institutional ethnography to explore how individuals use information in their everyday lives. Her research interests include everyday information behavior, critical theory, copyright, and food studies. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin in the School of Information. Melissa Minds VandeBurgt, throughout her nearly 20 years in academic libraries, has sought to integrate the work of archives, special collections, museums, and digital initiatives in an effort to share the human experience. Melissa will begin her tenure as Director, Special Collections Research Center at Temple University in April 2024. She served as Director, University Archives and Special Collections at Florida Gulf Coast University for 12 years. Ms. VandeBurgt holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her research and scholarly work is focused on social justice, the material culture of the Holocaust, and developing archival collections that equitably represent all people that create the historical record. She has served on IFLA’s Indigenous Matters Section since 2017. Carissa Vogel is the Law Library Director of the University of Iowa Law Library, one of the largest academic libraries in the United States, and a Professor of Instruction at the University of Iowa College of Law. In addition to numerous academic service and board positions, she serves as a Commissioner for the Iowa Access to Justice Commission and has led a team of academic and government librarians on the creation and development of the <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.peopleslawiowa.org/__;!!DZ3fjg!8DZkL…> People’s Law Library of Iowa<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.peopleslawiowa.org/__;!!DZ3fjg!8DZkL…>, an easy-to-understand, basic information website about the law. Carissa holds a JD from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, a MLIS and Special Certificate in Law Librarianship from the University of Washington iSchool, and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to her time at the University of Iowa, she was and Associate Dean for Library Services, Director of the Law Library, and Professor of Legal Research at the Dr. Lillian and Dr. Rebecca Chutick Law Library at the Cardozo School of Law where she was received the Monroe Price Award for Distinguished Service. She regularly presents on leadership and management of academic law libraries as well as the future of collections. Carissa has served on IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) since 2023.

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Survey participants needed: Understanding social media in daily lives of autistic young people
by Jessica Aiston 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Dear Association of Internet Researchers, I am a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, working on the project Autism in Affinity Spaces<http://autisminaffinityspaces.org>. We are currently running a survey about social media usage, particularly in relation to areas of intense interests. The survey is open to anyone in the UK, who is aged 16-26, and identifies as autistic (an official diagnosis is not a requirement to take part). We particularly welcome participation from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups as well as people who identify as non-speaking or low-speaking, as these groups are currently under-represented in autism research. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take the survey, or distribute it amongst your networks. The survey is open until the 31st of March 2024. To take the survey, visit: https://qmulbusiness.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SDZuBAW5QHHKHc Best wishes, Jessica Aiston

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Social Network Analysis: merging tradition with modern tools and methods
by Alessandro Zonin 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

🗓️* Upcoming webinar. Thu, Feb 22 · 7 - 9pm CET* 👉 In an age where technology is evolving at a rapid pace, the tools and methodologies we use to understand and interpret the vast digital landscape are crucial. Traditional ways of analyzing social interactions with the lenses of network analysis are being complemented—and in some cases, replaced—by innovative approaches. 📘 This webinar aims to bridge the gap between traditional and cutting-edge methodologies. We will dive deep into online conversation analysis, spotlighting the synergy of *social media scraping*, *generative AI tools* like ChatGPT, and the comprehensive capabilities of *Gephi* for *network* *visualization*. 🔗 Enroll Here: https://www.eventbrite.it/e/social-network-analysis-merging-tradition-with-… *Please apply the discount code AIRONLY to enroll with a 10% discount. I hope to e-meet you soon.* Hurry up because the seats are limited! Cheers -- Alessandro Zonin Digital Data Stories <https://digitaldatastories.it> | Socioviz <https://socioviz.net/> | LEAD <https://linkedinforbusiness.it/servizi/linkedin-per-gli-hr-manager/lead/> Linkedin <http://linkedin.com/in/zonin> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/AlessandroZonin>

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CfP: Epistemic Challenges and Democratic Accountability in European Media
by Minna Aslama 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Epistemic Challenges and Democratic Accountability in European Media 24-25 October 2024, University of Helsinki. The transformative changes in communication infrastructures intersecting with multiple social, political, and ecological crises put societies to the test. Today, a handful of multinational platform corporations dominate global markets in social media, cloud infrastructure, digital search, digital advertising, mobile operations, and digital messaging. Opaque algorithms exacerbate the problem of epistemic injustice and increase social distrust. How democracies and welfare states respond to the challenges depends on their epistemic capacity: citizens’ ability to access reliable information and their right to participate in knowledge production and be recognized in public discussion. It also refers to the epistemic authority and accountability of key democratic institutions and their ability to provide legitimate, shared knowledge that serves decision-making and supports policy choices. This demands new insights on how datafied media systems and infrastructures intersect with existing societal and epistemic risks and vulnerabilities; and on the options and obstacles for effective policy. Epistemic Challenges and Democratic Accountability in European Media brings together an interdisciplinary community of scholars and experts to take stock of the current challenges. Two intensive days of invited lectures, paper sessions, and panel discussions zoom in on the new conditions of knowledge production, the responsibility of digital platforms, and the intersection of inequalities and technologies in a datafied and polarized communication landscape. How can employing the notion of the epistemic help us understand and mitigate harms and support epistemic justice and agency? We welcome abstract submissions related to the following three themes. * Knowledge production, equality, and digital technologies [E.g., Epistemic rights and agency; Professional journalism and other epistemic authorities in datafied, algorithmic infrastructures; Changing networked knowledge from search engines to language models] * Digital platforms and accountability in the era of polycrisis [E.g., Digital platforms and inequalities; Digital technologies and environmental sustainability; Platform regulation and policies] * Democracy and artificial intelligence technologies [E.g., Public response to AI; Algorithms, political communication, and epistemic harms; European and global governance of AI; Epistemic infrastructures and methodological innovations] Important days and information The deadline for submissions of abstracts (max 400 words) is April 12, 2024. Contact and abstract submission: Veera Koskinen, veera.koskinen(a)helsinki.fi Notification of acceptance: May 13, 2024 The entire programme will be released on June 7, 2024. Registration Fees: 40 € per attendee: includes lunch and coffee. Confirmed speakers include: Mike Ananny (University of Southern California); Hilde van den Bulck (Drexel University); Adrienne Russell (University of Washington); Eugenia Siapera (University College Dublin). Visit the conference webpage for more information: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/conferences/epistemic-challenges-and-democratic-… The conference is organized together with the research consortium The Democratic Epistemic Capacities in the Age of Algorithms (DECA) ( https://www.decatutkimus.fi/home) research project Media platforms, and social accountability: Dynamics, practices and discourses (MAPS) at the University of Helsinki (https://blogs.helsinki.fi/mapsproject/) and The Euromedia Research Group (https://euromediagroup.org/) -- Dr. Minna Aslama Horowitz @aslama https://minnahorowitz.net/

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International Conference "Polarization and Beyond: What Comes Next in Political Communication Research?"
by Marino, Giada 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

We would like to announce the upcoming international conference *Polarization and Beyond: What Comes Next in Political Communication Research?* *Final Symposium of the Research Project I-POLHYS Investigating POLarization in HYbrid media Systems* 22 - 23 February 2024 University of Bologna Aula Poeti, Palazzo Hercolani – Strada Maggiore, 45 Bologna The conference aims to disseminate the main results of the I-POLHYS research project (www.ipolhys.it) by sharing them with the national and international scientific community, and a broader audience. Additionally, the conference aims to involve Italian and International researchers who explore various dimensions of political communication dynamics that intersect with the theme of polarization. All presenters will discuss 'What Comes Next?' in their upcoming endeavors in personal research or the imminent challenges facing the discipline. *Keynote speaker:* Axel Bruns (Queensland University of Technology) *Speakers:* Giuliano Bobba, Ana S. Cardenal, Alessia Donà, Richard Fletcher, Fabio Giglietto, Annette Heft, Laura Iannelli, Rita Marchetti, Giada Marino, Antonio Martella, Sergio Martini, Marco Mazzoni, Claudia Padovani, Elena Pavan, Arianna Piacentini, Rossella Rega, Nicola Righetti, Patricia Rossini, Danilo Serani, Sergio Splendore, Anna Stanziano, Cristian Vaccari, Augusto Valeriani, Aidar Zinnatullin. *Chairs/Discussants:* Sara Bentivegna, Giovanni Boccia Artieri, Donatella Campus, Cristopher Cepernich, Gianpietro Mazzoleni, Paolo Mancini. *Scientific Committee:* Augusto Valeriani, Laura Iannelli, Elena Pavan, Sergio Splendore The event is in partnership with the Italian Association of Political Communication. https://www.ipolhys.it/en/final-symposium-of-the-research-project-i-polhys-… -- Giada Marino, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow @University of Urbino Vera.ai <https://www.veraai.eu/home> researcher I-POLHYS <https://www.ipolhys.it/> team MINe <https://mine.uniurb.it/> team Google Scholar <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3hdpfxMAAAAJ&hl=en> Linkedin <https://it.linkedin.com/in/giada-marino-6b12b088> Threads *@gi_hades@threads.net <http://@gi_hades@threads.net>* Blog SMSnacks <https://socialmediasnacks.tumblr.com/>

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Two digital education lectureships at the University of Manchester
by Mark Carrigan 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Hi everyone, Our digital education group at the University of Manchester is recruiting for two permanent teaching & research lectureships: *Lecturer in Generative AI for Education:* https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=28153 *Lecturer in Digital Education: * https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=28151 The deadline is March 18th for both of the posts. We’re a growing team with a successful masters programme (f2f & online) and a research group which was established a couple of years ago. It’s a really vibrant interdisciplinary community to work within, with areas of expertise including digital sustainability, generative AI and personalised learning. Cheers, Mark markcarrigan.net <http://www.markcarrigan.net/> | @theplatformuni <http://www.twitter.com/theplatformuni/> LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-c-516017123/> | Soundcloud <https://soundcloud.com/mark-carrigan> | Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflmX41wlvtXPIhy51Wfonw/videos> | Recent publications <https://manchester.padlet.org/j04936mc/jbob1uin0weo43dh> *I occasionally send e-mail outside of normal hours as my preferred way of balancing multiple commitments. Please don't feel obligated to respond to this e-mail until your own working hours have resumed. *

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JOB: Assistant/associate professor (tenure track) in global communication sciences at LUT Finland
by Anna Rantasila 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Dear Air-L folks, The Department of Social Sciences at Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, is looking for a professor of global communications and climate change. The Department of Social Sciences was founded in 2022 under the LUT School of Engineering Sciences. The department understands society and human activities in relation to global sustainability problems and consists of two disciplines, social science and communication sciences. In autumn 2024, three master's programmes in social sciences and communication sciences will start at the department. The department will eventually detach and form an independent school of its own at the university. The professorship falls under the communication sciences programme at the Department of Social Sciences. Communication sciences at LUT focus on global communication, strategic narratives, disinformation, soft power, and different forms of influence in the modern environment of advanced technologies and media. The position is situated at the assistant/associate professor levels of the tenure track and will be filled through an open call for a fixed term of four years on LUT's Lappeenranta campus, Finland. The tenure track system offers researchers a possibility to advance to a full professorship. The work will start with a six-month trial period. We are looking for a future-oriented professor interested in global climate communication(s) in a mediatised and technologised world, relating particularly to climate change and LUT's strategic focus areas - clean water, air, and energy. Specifically, we are looking for a curious mind who is interested in a long-term academic career and is passionate about continuous learning and making the world a better place through science. For more information, please see the full job ad: https://lut.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index.php?jid=1049&key=&o=A_RJ&rspvt=68l… The deadline for the applications is March 21, 2024. With Kind Regards, Dr. Anna Rantasila anna.rantasila(a)lut.fi<mailto:anna.rantasila@lut.fi> +358 50 3223039 University Lecturer, Communication Sciences School of Engineering Sciences LUT University

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