February 2017 - netsociety - server-nexa.polito.it

Call for Applications: Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowships “Algorithmed Public Spheres” (Hamburg)

by Cornelius Puschmann

Dear colleagues, Please allow me to share the call for applications pasted below -- do pass it on to any postdocs you know who might be interested. All best (and apologies for cross-posting), Cornelius ***Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowships “Algorithmed Public Spheres” (Deadline: April 1st)*** SUMMARY: The Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research in Hamburg, Germany, invites applications for international postdoctoral research fellows who will conduct innovative research on the social and cultural impact of algorithms during stays of 3-12 months in Hamburg in the academic year 2017/2018. DESCRIPTION: The Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research is a publicly funded research institute that focuses on the study of mediated public communication. Its research encompasses both broadcast and digital communication from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective. The postdoctoral research network Algorithmed Public Spheres was established to study the relevance of algorithms for the constitution of the public sphere. We emphasize in particular the importance of algorithms for filtering, ranking and selecting media content and for structuring digital communication. In contrast to the use of data mining in areas such as healthcare, credit scoring and general business analytics, where such techniques have a long tradition, the impact of algorithms on the public sphere poses novel challenges. How are communication, media, and public discourse impacted by transferring the dominant logics of consumption from other industries to news, information, and political deliberation, implemented in social media platforms, search engines, and on news websites? Research in this area could include: - Measurement of algorithmic bias and discrimination - Feedback effects in recommender systems - Assessment of potential filter bubbles - Algorithms in news production, distribution and consumption processes - User interaction with and rationalization of algorithms We invite applications for international postdoctoral research fellows from fields including, but not restricted to, computer and information science, communication and media studies, law, sociology and philosophy, who will conduct innovative research on the social and cultural impact of algorithms during stays of 3-12 months in Hamburg in the academic year 2017/2018. We particularly welcome cross-cutting research proposals that integrate technical and social perspectives and result in concrete outcomes, for example in the form of peer-reviewed research articles or proposals for externally funded projects. Up to two funded fellowships will be awarded as result of this call. The fellowships cover airfare and a contribution to the accommodation and subsistence in Hamburg. In specific cases, we may offer a temporary employment contract instead of a scholarship. To apply, please send a cover letter (one page), a project proposal (up to three pages) and your CV (up to four pages), including a list of your most relevant publications (maximum of five), to Cornelius Puschmann ( c.puschmann(a)hans-bredow-institut.de) Please note that applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. IMPORTANT DATES: Application deadline: April 1, 2017 Announcement of 2017/2018 Fellows: May 1, 2017 -- Dr. Cornelius Puschmann Research Associate Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society Französische Straße 9 10117 Berlin, Germany www.hiig.de Senior Researcher Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research Rothenbaumchaussee 36 20148 Hamburg, Germany www.hans-bredow-institut.de p: +49 40 450 217 55 e: cornelius.puschmann(a)hiig.de w: cbpuschmann.net *Recent paper:* Puschmann, C., & Scheffler, T. (2016). Topic modeling for media and communication research: A short primer (*HIIG Discussion Paper Series* No. 2016–5). Berlin. Retrieved from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2836478

Feb. 28, 2017

Center for Information Technology, Society, and Law (ITSL) - International Exploratory Workshop on Data Ownership

by florent.thouvenin＠rwi.uzh.ch

Dear all The Center for Information Technology, Society, and Law (ITSL) at the University of Zurich has recently started a research project on the topic of data ownership. In order to tackle open questions and significantly advance the state of research on this issue, ITSL is planning an international expert workshop. The workshop will be held from 6 to 8 July 2017 near Zurich, Switzerland and will deal with a number of pressing issues surrounding data ownership, namely the justification, the scope and the implementation of such a potential right. Scholars interested in questions related to data ownership are kindly invited to indicate their interest to participate by sending an email to ITSL’s Managing Director Alfred Früh (alfred.frueh(a)rwi.uzh.ch) by Sunday, 26 February 2017. The number of participants is limited. While the focus lies on legal issues, expertise in either economics or computer science is a plus. Travel expenses, accommodation and food during the stay will be covered by the ITSL. Kind regards Florent Thouvenin and Rolf H. Weber - - - Prof. Dr. Florent Thouvenin Lehrstuhl für Informations- und Kommunikationsrecht Rechtswissenschaftliches Institut | Rämistrasse 74/49 | CH-8001 Zürich

Feb. 20, 2017

TILTing Perspectives 2017 'Regulating a connected world'- Announcement

by C.R. Nauta

Dear member of the Network of Centers, We are pleased to send you the announcement for TILTing Perspectives 2017. The conference flyer has been attached. TILTing Perspectives 2017 TILTing Perspectives 2017, the fifth international bi-annual TILT Law & Technology conference will be held from 17 – 19 May, 2017 in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Under the title, 'Regulating a connected world', the conference features six tracks with well over a hundred speakers. The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and civil society at the intersection of law & regulation, technology, and society to share insights, exchange ideas and formulate, discuss and suggest answers to contemporary challenges related to technological innovation. The conference hosts plenary keynote sessions, paper presentation sessions, in depth paper discussions, tutorials, workshops and side events. Key numbers 6 tracks: * Privacy, Health, Intellectual Property, Data Science, Privacy Law Scholar Conference (PLSC) Europe, TILT Ma Law & Technology and PAO Alumni 3 days, 7/8 parallel sessions, over 120 speakers Keynote speakers Opening: * Sally Wyatt (University of Maastricht) Privacy: * Christopher Slobogin (Vanderbilt University) * Gary Marx (MIT) Health: * Flis Henwood (University of Brighton) * Irene Schluender (TMF) Intellectual Property: * Maciej Spunar (AG at the CJEU, University of Silesia) * John Golden (University of Texas) Data Science: * Sean McDonald (FrontlineSMS) * Solon Barocas (Microsoft Research) Location The conference will take place at Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands from 17 – 19 May 2017. Conference fees Registration fees include: access to the conference sessions, coffee/tea/lunch during three conference days, conference dinner on 17 May and drinks on 19 May access to conference papers. Please note that the social event on 18 May is optional and not included in the registration fee. Early Bird (until 19 April, 2017): € 250 Regular fee (after 19 April 2017): € 300. Student and PhD: € 50 (excluding conference dinner); student and PhD: € 100 (including conference dinner). Program: http://easychair.org/smart-program/TILTing2017/index.html Conference site: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/tilting2017/ Sponsored by: Microsoft, IAPP, Future of Privacy Forum, DSC/t. Tilburg Law School, JADS

Feb. 16, 2017

Call for Expressions of Interest: Strengthening cyber policy centres in the Global South

by Alba Hancock

All, The International Development Research Centre <https://www.idrc.ca/en/what-we-do> (IDRC) has announced a call for expressions of interest related to a new cyberpolicy pilot program that is open to established research organizations in eligible low-, middle-, or upper-middle income countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa, the Middle East, South, and South East Asia. If you're interested, please take a look at their announcement: https://www.idrc.ca/en/content/call-expressions- interest-strengthening-cyber-policy-centres-global-south. Kind regards, Alba -- *Alba Hancock* Program Coordinator Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society Harvard University *e:* ahancock(a)cyber.law.harvard.edu *o:* + 1 (617) 384-9127 *w:* cyber.harvard.edu

Feb. 2, 2017