- Air-L - lists.aoir.org

Unions in Digital Labour Studies
by Tai Neilson 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

Apologies for the self promotion, but I'd like to share my new article: "Unions in Digital Labour Studies." The article may be of interest to many of you as internet researchers. I also hope it will continue discussions of labour organising among digital, knowledge, or creative workers: https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/1065 Kind regards, Tai Tai Neilson, PhD Lecturer Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY NSW 2109

1 0

Recruiting Doctoral Students, PhD in Information, University of Arizona School of Information
by Catherine Brooks 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

Recruiting Doctoral Students, PhD in Information, University of Arizona School of Information The School of Information is accepting applications for the PhD program, for the incoming fall 2019 cohort. We are seeking students with interests in machine learning, natural language processing, text retrieval, virtual/mixed reality, or game development/design. Preferred incoming doctoral students for the fall 2019 cohort will bring strong computational skills. Having advanced object-oriented programming skills, experience with machine learning toolkits such as scikit-learn or Keras, or experience with widely used real-time development platforms such as Unity, would be a plus. Instructional experiences are also beneficial, and should be highlighted in application materials, but are not required. Funded positions will be available for select graduate students, those students will receive tuition remission and a stipend in exchange for research- related, grant support, or instructional work. The School of Information is an academic unit in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona, Arizona’s only public land grant university. The School’s mission: “As Arizona’s iSchool, we collaborate across disciplines, drive critical research and development, and educate the information intellectuals and professionals of tomorrow to further positive social change that is rooted in the places where we live and that impacts the world.” The school and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are dedicated to creating a serious, open, free intellectual space for inquiry, one in which faculty, students, staff members, and community partners can participate fully, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, citizenship status, size, abled status, language, religion, or any other characteristic. Strategically positioned to lead the University of Arizona’s status as a Hispanic Serving Institution, SBS foregrounds our awareness of the deep ancestral footprint of our region’s populations and cultures, including the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui people whose lands we inhabit. We honor diverse knowledge traditions and lived experiences, and we strive to foster accessibility and equity, the conditions in which our members together can produce new, rigorous, urgent, and evidence-based knowledge For more Information, please see: https://ischool.arizona.edu/phd-information. With quick questions about the applicant process or application materials, feel free to reach out to our administrative support team through Barbara Vandervelde, barbv(a)email.arizona.edu.

1 0

New book - Psychoanalysis and Digital Culture: Audiences, Social Media, and Big Data
by Jacob Johanssen 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

I am pleased to announce the publication of my book Psychoanalysis and Digital Culture: Audiences, Social Media, and Big Data (Routledge) Psychoanalysis and Digital Culture offers a comprehensive account of our contemporary media environment—digital culture and audiences in particular—by drawing on psychoanalysis and media studies frameworks. It provides an introduction to the psychoanalytic affect theories of Sigmund Freud and Didier Anzieu and applies them theoretically and methodologically in a number of case studies. Johanssen argues that digital media fundamentally shape our subjectivities on affective and unconscious levels, and he critically analyses phenomena such as television viewing, Twitter use, affective labour on social media, and data-mining. How does watching television involve the body? Why are we so drawn to reality television? Why do we share certain things on social media and not others? How are bodies represented on social media? How do big data and data mining influence our identities? Can algorithms help us make better decisions? These questions amongst others are addressed in the chapters of this wide-ranging book. Johanssen shows in a number of case studies how a psychoanalytic angle can bring new insights to audience studies and digital media research more generally. From audience research with viewers of the reality television show Embarrassing Bodies and how they unconsciously used it to work through feelings about their own bodies, to a critical engagement with Hardt and Negri's notion of affective labour and how individuals with bodily differences used social media for their own affective-digital labour, the book suggests that an understanding of affect based on Freud and Anzieu is helpful when thinking about media use. The monograph also discusses the perverse implications of algorithms, big data and data mining for subjectivities. In drawing on empirical data and examples throughout, Johanssen presents a compelling analysis of our contemporary media environment. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction: Psychoanalysis, Affect, and Digital Culture: Debates, Theories, and Methods 2. Audiences, Affect, and the Unconscious 3. Affect, Biography, and Watching Reality Television 4. Unable to Tweet: Inhibition and the Compulsion to Share 5. Affective Labour and the Body: Theoretical Developments 6. Affective Labour on Social Media 7. The Perverse Logic of Big Data 8. Conclusion More information can be found here: https://www.routledge.com/Psychoanalysis-and-Digital-Culture-Audiences-Soci… A preview of the book can be downloaded here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351052054 Jacob Johanssen Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), University of Westminster J.Johanssen(a)westminster.ac.uk

1 0

DEMO students how to MINE text
by Astvansh, Vivek 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

Dear Internet Researchers: My marketing analytics course has exclusively focused on analyzing NUMERICAL marketing-related data. I, however, am now INTRODUCING my undergraduate students to (NON-NUMERICAL) TEXT data and their analysis. I seek your help in critiquing what I do and advising me on what and how I can do better. In the past, I have used any one of the following three data samples: * A brand's (say, Toyota's) Facebook data (brand's posts and users' comments), * Consumers' Tweets on a consumption-related phenomenon, and * News-media reports on a recent controversy (e.g., election results) obtained from Factiva. Here's what I do in the one-hour session: 1. Motivate by listing the four forms (text, voice, image, and video) and sources (e.g., social media, call center, product packages, and video reviews of products respectively for the four forms) of non-numerical data, 2. Introduce the data sample (one of the above three) and tell students how they can obtain (for free and $) similar data themselves, 3. Introduce SENTIMENT and TOPICS (aka themes, ideas) as two commonly measured characteristics of the text, and 4. DEMONSTRATE LIWC for sentiment and MALLET GUI to topic mining/modeling. If you have suggestions on how I can improve my students' learning experience (e.g., critique my approach and/or content, recommend characteristics other than sentiment and topic, recommend readings, suggest more appropriate and relevant text data, recommend intuitive software programs), please consider helping me. Thanks very much! Vivek Astvansh Assistant Professor of Marketing, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Bloomington https://kelley.iu.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/profile.cshtml/?id…

1 0

Job: TT Asst Prof in Technology Studies, UNC Chapel Hill 12/20 Deadline
by Alice E. Marwick 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

Hi all, I am delighted to let you all know we are hiring for an Assistant rank position in my department at UNC Chapel Hill. UNC is a great place for internet studies, and we have many fine scholars such as Torin Monahan, Mike Palm, Daniel Kreiss, Deen Freelon and Zeynep Tufekci who take critical approaches to technology. I would love to see some AOIR people apply! Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help (keep in mind any communications we have will be forwarded to the search committee - just FYI). Best Alice ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN TECHNOLOGY STUDIES Announcement of Tenure-Track Faculty Position Department of Communication The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill POSITION Assistant Professor in Technology Studies, beginning July 1, 2019. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in media and technology studies, conducting research, supervising dissertations, performing departmental, university, and public service. Salary is competitive. QUALIFICATIONS PH.D. (Completed or near completion by July 2019) in Communication or related discipline, with a specialization in technology studies. We are particularly interested in a scholar with a critical-cultural approach to technology. We are open to a wide range of specialties, theories and perspectives. Candidates whose research addresses questions of media and technology in relation to marginalized, disenfranchised and traditionally under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have a record of, or potential for, outstanding teaching, research, and service. GENERAL INFORMATION The Department of Communication has 30 full-time faculty with areas of emphasis in Media and Technology Studies, Media Production, Cultural Studies, Performance Studies, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, and Rhetorical Studies. Approximately 850 undergraduate and 50 graduate students major in the department. The department is committed to critical, socio-cultural, and aesthetic approaches to communication, including engaged scholarship, broadly conceived. Additional information can be found at http://comm.unc.edu. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Qualified applicants should apply online at http://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/150514 Include a cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy, research statement, up to three reprints of articles and/or other evidence of scholarly activity, as well as evidence of teaching effectiveness. At minimum, four letters of recommendation are required. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, race/ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or status as a protected veteran. Women and minority scholars are encouraged to apply. We seek applicants who engender a climate that values diversity in all its forms. For any inquiries, please contact the search committee at comm-search(a)unc.edu. The deadline for applications is December 20, 2018. Applications will be reviewed beginning December 1, 2018. The University of North Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. -- Alice E. Marwick, PhD (she/her) Assistant Professor, Department of Communication University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill amarwick(a)gmail.com http://www.tiara.org <http://www.tiara.org>

1 0

New book announcement: Beyond Slacktivism
by James Dennis 07 Nov '18

07 Nov '18

With apologies for cross-posting. I am pleased to announce the publication of Beyond Slacktivism: Political Participation on Social Media (Palgrave Macmillan, part of the Interest Groups, Advocacy and Democracy Series). *Cover Description* Beyond Slacktivism examines how routine social media use shapes political participation. Many commentators have argued that activism has been compromised by “slacktivism,” a pejorative term that refers to supposedly inauthentic, low-threshold forms of engagement online. Dennis argues that this critique has an overly narrow focus. He offers a novel theoretical framework—the continuum of participation—to help illuminate how and why citizens use social networking sites to consume news, discuss civic matters, and engage in politics. This idea is explored in two interrelated settings. Firstly, in an activist context, through an ethnography of the campaigning organisation 38 Degrees. Secondly, within day-to-day life, by combining evidence of behaviour online with reflective diaries. Drawing on this rich data on individual-level attitudes and behaviours, Dennis challenges slacktivism as a judgement on contemporary political action. Beyond Slacktivism provides an account of how the seemingly mundane everyday use of social media can be beneficial to democracy. *Endorsements* “It’s better to light a candle than to fantasize about a sun” is the eloquent rallying cry of James Dennis’ conceptually rich and meticulously researched critique of the idea of slacktivism. By analyzing the testimony of authentic, socially-situated individuals, Dennis guides us through the complex textures of political life online. His research compels us to look beyond the lazy clichés found in so much public debate about social media and political engagement. Read this book. Discuss it with your students. It will change the way we think about one of the most urgent issues of our time.” Andrew Chadwick, Loughborough University, UK “There was a time when pundits referred to online activism as slacktivism. Gone are those days, as recent movements and waves of populism demonstrate the ability of online media to connect (and separate!) people around common sentiment. Read this book and understand how it all happens. Engaging, insightful, and sharp.” Zizi Papacharissi, University of Illinois-Chicago, USA “James Dennis’s book addresses a core research question: “what effect does routine social media use have on political engagement?” In answering this question Dennis skillfully sidelines assumptions of slacktivism and clicktivism to take a deeper look at instances of meaningful digital micro-activism via engaging ethnographic research, with both individual social media users, and the influential digital campaigning organisation, 38 Degrees. The book, importantly, demonstrates that politics and participation now emerge though everyday forms of communication and engagement.” Ariadne Vromen, University of Sydney, Australia *Voucher* A 20% discount is available on the hardcover version and the eBook if purchased from Palgrave before November 28, 2018, using the following code: PM18TWENTY4. eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-00844-4 | £47.99 Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-00843-7 | £59.99 Access on Palgrave: https://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783030008437 Access on SpringerLink: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-00844-4 -- *Dr James Dennis* Senior Lecturer in Political Communication and Journalism | University of Portsmouth *e* james.dennis(a)port.ac.uk *t* @jameswilldennis <https://twitter.com/jameswilldennis> *w* jameswilldennis.com *a* School of Film, Media and Communication, University of Portsmouth, Milldam (LB 3.04), Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3AS

1 0

RIP Ben Bates
by Jeremy Hunsinger 06 Nov '18

06 Nov '18

RIP Benjamin J. Bates, Ben was a member of the early AoIR executive as treasurer . He was great colleague and solid friend of the organization, embodying the spirit of mentorship, collegiality, and goodwill that makes AoIR so awesome. Ben will be missed. https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.j.bates has more information. -- Jeremy Hunsinger Associate Professor Communication Studies Wilfrid Laurier University

4 3

Conference "DATA, SECURITY, VALUES: Vocations and Visions of Data Analysis" in Oslo
by Mareile Kaufmann 06 Nov '18

06 Nov '18

Dear all, please be invited to the conference "DATA, SECURITY, VALUES: Vocations and Visions of Data Analysis" 10 - 11 December 2018, Peace Research Institute Oslo, Hausmanns gate 3 https://www.prio.org/Events/Event/?x=8674 Data analysis can have many vocations and visions. Coding, programming and algorithmically interpreting data is informed by the concepts, ideas, values and affordances of the technologies and people that engage with data. Even if the word data means "given", information becomes socially and politically imbued as soon as it is selected and categorized to make it available for analysis. Such insights are no longer only subject of academic critique, but the normativity of data analysis has by now become integrated into public discourses. In fact, the value of data has created a new market for moral entrepreneurs, who re-frame data analysis as a tool for moral engineering and security politics. At this conference we explore how values, ideas and concepts are not only necessarily embedded in data analysis, but also in what way they are productive and co-create society. We discuss the relationship between data analysis, ideas and values by looking at the workings of digital security technologies, data security policies or the security politics of data. Roundtable Discussion: Dilemma Dialogue on the Everyday Use of Data in Security Authorities with representatives from The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), Ministry of Justice, The Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) and the Police Security Services (PST) Key Notes Miguel Sicart, Associate Professor, IT University Copenhagen Playing Data: Understanding the Ludic in the Information Age Katja de Vries, Postdoctoral Researcher, IT University Copenhagen The Coexistence of Humans and Algorithmic Machines Susanne Krasmann, Professor, Hamburg University The Secret of Algorithms: On Transparency, Truth and the Political Breakfast and Lunch will be served. Please register your attendance at: https://www.prio.org/Events/Event/?x=8674

1 0

Early Bird Registration- Art Machines: International Symposium on Computational Media Art (ISCMA 2019)
by Miss CHEUNG Oi Lun 06 Nov '18

06 Nov '18

Dear Sir/Madam, You are cordially invited to the Art Machines: International Symposium on Computational Media Art (ISCMA), which will be held between 4th - 7th January 2019 at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. Early Bird Registration is now available. From now until 9th November 2018, you can register for full participation at this international symposium at just HK$1,000. Register now to benefit from this special offer: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/iscma/registration Art Machines will bring together Academics, Artists and Professionals in the field of Computational Media Art in this four-day symposium whose core theme will be the topic of Machine Learning and Art. And don't forget our exhibition - Algorithmic Art: Shuffling Space and Time, which will run for two weeks from 27th December 2018 to 10th January 2019 at Hong Kong City Hall Lower Block Exhibition Gallery. Keep your eyes out! Registration Fees: -for full symposium registration (4th - 7th Jan)- Early Bird (Till Nov 9th) HK$1000 Reduced* (Till Jan 3rd) HK$1000 Standard (Nov 10th - Jan 3rd) HK$1500 Walk-in (Jan 4th - Jan 7th) HK$2000 Students* HK$500 -for one-day symposium pass- Walk-in (Jan 4th - Jan 7th) HK$700 Students* HK$200 *Remarks: For more information about the type of registration fees, please visit the Conference website www.cityu.edu.hk/iscma<http://www.cityu.edu.hk/iscma> Research Topics Machine Learning and Art/ Sound Art/ Immersive Media/ Digital Cinema/Digital Animation/Gaming/Computational Humanities/Creative Coding/Urban Media/Digital Fabrication/Physical Computing/Digital Preservation/Curatorial Practice/Brain Computer Interface/ Other Topics Pertaining to Computational Media Art We hope you can join us for this exciting symposium. To learn more about the Symposium, please visit our website: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/iscma/. For enquiries, please contact us at (852) 34428049 or via email smiscma(a)cityu.edu.hk<mailto:smiscma@cityu.edu.hk> You are also welcome to follow us on these channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-Machines-International-Symposium-on-Computatio… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iscma2019/ Sincerely Yours, Symposium Organising Committee School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong Disclaimer: This email (including any attachments) is for the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential information and/or copyright material. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email and all copies from your system. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, reproduction, copying, distribution, or other form of unauthorized dissemination of the contents is expressly prohibited.

1 0

Fully-funded PhD positions at City University of Hong Kong
by Tetsuro Kobayashi 06 Nov '18

06 Nov '18

Dear colleagues, Political Communication Research Cluster at City University of Hong Kong is seeking applicants for several 4-year, fully-funded PhD positions (US$2100-3200/per month). Based in the Department of Media and Communication and lead by Drs. Tetsuro Kobayashi, Chris Fei Shen, and Marko M. Skoric, the Cluster focuses on the impact of digital media on civic and political life, with a focus on East Asian societies. The application deadline is December 1st, 2019; for more information please visit: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/com/Programme_PHD_Introduction.aspx Tetsuro Kobayashi Associate Professor City University of Hong Kong

1 0