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[NoC] Thumbs up! A Hitchhiker's Guide to Big Data - and more HIIG Quarterly News | October 2015
by Felix Krupar Oct. 29, 2015

Oct. 29, 2015

<http://www.hiig.de/> <https://twitter.com/hiig_berlin> <http://www.hiig.de/feed> <https://www.facebook.com/HIIG.Berlin> [If you want to receive the HIIG-Newsletter Quarterly in the future, click here to subscribe <http://www.hiig.de/en/newsletter-registration/>.] Dear friends and fellow researchers, Your employers have it, Google has loads of it and your phone collects it everywhere you go: it’s data, and if you know how to use it, it has unlimited potential. With this in mind, this newsletter aims to give you all the information you need about the big issue of the next few months: big data. At the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, we’ll soon be starting our lectures series “Big data: big powershifts?” in cooperation with the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. The kick-off event will be happening at the British Embassy on 5 November 2015, and if you’re fast, you might still grab one of the last spots on the guest list. Two further lectures are planned in January and March 2016 and on top of that, the Internet Policy Review is preparing a special edition on the lecture topic for March. Not enough? Then read the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to Big Data” in the events’ section of this newsletter. Of course, this newsletter is also full of news, publications and other upcoming events. Have a look at the "dark side of power" and do not miss out on our wrap-up of this year’s ESRC. As always, there is something for everyone in our quarterly newsletter! Jeanette Hofmann | Ingolf Pernice | Thomas Schildhauer | Wolfgang Schulz Lecture Series: Big data: big power shifts? HIIG aims to anticipate tipping points and controversial questions: We want to discuss the impact of big data. After our kick-off event “Making Sense of Big Data” in November, the lecture series will turn to the health sector and in e-government in 2016. The lecture series is curated by Dr. Lena Ulbricht, WZB Research Fellow. | Sign up for our lecture series <http://www.hiig.de/big-data-big-power-shifts/>. Media Communication between Complexity and Simplification. Theory, Methods, Practice The conference Media Communication between Complexity and Simplification. Theory, Methods, Practice, organised by the German Communication Association (DGPuK), is scheduled for 5 to 7 November 2015 and will be held in German. | More about the conference <http://www.hiig.de/events/interdisziplinaerer-workshop-privacy-datenschutz-…>. IPR Special Edition: Big data: big power shifts? The Internet Policy Review’s special edition revolves around the topic of big data and how it shapes society by influencing power relations. The call for papers is now closed and you’ll be able to read the best submissions in the special edition published in March 2016. | More on power shifts <http://policyreview.info/node/374>. RESEARCH AND ACTIVITIES #SafeHarbor | Our Researchers on the ECJ Decision This month, the European Court of Justice issued a landmark ruling on the Safe Harbour agreement between the European Union and the United States, which previously allowed easy data transfer. The Court ruled that the agreement is invalid – raising several questions about the future of data protection. HIIG Director Jeanette Hofmann commented on the decision on the Breitband <http://breitband.deutschlandradiokultur.de/triumph-fuer-den-nutzer/>radio show, and our researcher Emma Peters wrote on blog.hiig.de <http://www.hiig.de/die-usa-sind-kein-sicherer-hafen-fuer-europaeische-daten…> about the judgement’s implications for companies. Find more on the Internet Policy Review webpage: Monika Ermert argues that Max Schrems' boomerang hit Europe <http://policyreview.info/articles/news/max-schrems-boomerang-hits-europe/375> and Daphne Keller wrote on Europe's pending General Data Protection Regulation <http://policyreview.info/articles/news/intermediary-liability-and-user-cont…> (GDPR). | Follow us on twitter for more on the issue. <https://twitter.com/hiig_berlin> ESRC 2015 | Algorithmic Governance and More We always encourage our researchers to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the global academic community. No better place than the ESCR in Berlin. Our annual Early Stage Research Colloquium once again gave researchers a platform to explore innovative topics including algorithmic governance, knowledge in the digital age and e-government. Those topics were discussed in five thematically focused sessions led by seven of our researchers. | R <http://www.hiig.de/en/user-innovations-n-the-energy-market-new-research-pro…>ead a detailed summary by Stefan Stumpp here <http://www.hiig.de/en/early-stage-researchers-colloquium-2015-a-summary/>. Startup Clinics on the Road | Tech Open Air If you have not done so yet, have a look at the Startup Clinics <https://www.facebook.com/startupclinics>’ YouTube channel. The Startup Clinics’ team is constantly going out to collect the best advice for entrepreneurs. Their latest videos include interviews with John Vars <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuwL7FhhADE>, CPO at TaskRabbit, and Chris Barton <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RCErz2MvCk>, Co-Founder of Shazam, at the Tech Open Air Berlin 2015. | Watch the latest videos <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-t9VLyLv2_dFRVoOZ1STg> (... and subscribe to the channel! <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-t9VLyLv2_dFRVoOZ1STg?sub_confirmation=1>) New Members | The NoC is Steadily Growing We are glad to announce that the Network of Centers is continuously growing and five new centers just recently joined our network of internet and society research centers from around the globe: Centro de Estudos Sociedade e Tecnologia (Brazil), Institute of Communication Sciences (ISCC, France), Melbourne Networked Society Institute (Australia), United Nations University Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS, China) and Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology and Society (Netherlands). We say: Welcome! | L <http://www.hiig.de/fellow2016>earn more about the participating centers <http://networkofcenters.net/centers>. PUBLICATIONS Jörg Pohle | "Know the Power of the Dark Side" Together with computer scientist Andrea Knaut, Jörg Pohle <http://www.hiig.de/en/staff/jorg-pohle-2/> has recently published an analysis and opinion piece about the power invested in the knowledge of informatics in the LOG IN magazine <http://www.log-in-verlag.de/informatische_bildung/>. The authors assert that at a time when life processes of every kind are being automated, when control over human life and self-optimisation have become the highest priority, the internet still serves civil disobedience in creative ways – The article is a plea for such resistance. | Discover the dark side <http://www.hiig.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015-Knaut-Pohle-Die-dunkle-S…> (German). TPRC43 Conference | Creating Connectivity Our researcher Uta Meier-Hahn went to the TPRC43 <http://www.tprcweb.com/> conference last month, where she presented her research about the paradox of internet interconnection, which is that competition and cooperation have to coexist for private network actors such as internet access providers to interconnect. One of her conclusions is that both trust and distrust play an essential role. Meier-Hahn’s social science focus and qualitative methodology were warmly welcomed at TPRC. | Find the article in the TPRC's SSRN collection <http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2587843>. Startup Monitor | Satisfied Startup Founders in Germany For the third time, the “Deutsche Startup Monitor” has provided a comprehensive overview of the German startup scene. Over 1,000 startup founders participated in the study, representing their firms and more than 16,000 startup employees. The good news is that 89.3% of the founders are satisfied with their situation or even find it “good”. On a similarly promising note, the number of female founders has increased since last year. Associated doctoral researcher Steffen Tröger <http://www.hiig.de/staff/steffen-troger/> is project manager and co-publisher of the monitor. | Find all about the German startup scene here <http://deutscherstartupmonitor.de/fileadmin/dsm/dsm-15/studie_dsm_2015.pdf>. New Article | IT Security Law The new German IT Security Act is three months old. So, doctoral researcher Hannfried Leisterer thought it was time to examine the new statutory responsibilities in relation to IT security. His article looks at operators of critical infrastructure and telecommunication providers and examines whether there is a legal basis to collect personal data and in which specific attack scenarios this applies. This will be an informative read, especially for specialists in the field. | More about IT Security <http://www.hiig.de/publication/die-neuen-pflichten-zur-netz-und-information…>. Kaja Scheliga | Open Science: Collaborative Writing 2.0 How do you write academic papers? And how does collaborative writing influence which tool you use? In a paper included in the proceedings at the i-Know conference <http://i-know.tugraz.at/>, Kaja Scheliga found that most researchers prefer to stay with Microsoft Word (in combination with other digital technologies) rather than using online text editors. Might a distrust in cloud based technologies be a reason for this? | Find the article here <http://www.hiig.de/publication/collaborative-writing-in-the-context-of-scie…>. UPCOMING EVENTS A Hitchhiker's Guide to BIG DATA | from 05 November 2015 In case we haven’t highlighted our big data events enough yet, follow this short guide. You may start on Thursday, 5 November 2015 at the British Embassy in Berlin: Mike Savage and Isabella Sonnenfeld will introduce you to contemporary debates about big data. Follow on with a visit to the DGPuKs conference on “Media Communication between Complexity and Simplification <http://www.hiig.de/events/medienkommunikation-zwischen-komplexitat-und-vere…>” 6–7 November. After a short break, you’ll have a chance to learn more <http://www.hiig.de/big-data-big-power-shifts/>about the health sector in January and about e-government in March. After this action-packed schedule, you’ll hardly have to wait at all until the Internet Policy Review publishes its special edition on big data. | Making Sense of Big Data here. <http://www.hiig.de/events/making-sense-of-big-data/> Changing the Picture | 19 November 2015 Changing the Picture is a technology conference on 19 November aimed at broadcast industry executives, producers, production managers, sales and distribution companies and technology providers. The conference’s key issues are: How will we consume content in 2020 and what will the production tools look like? How are storytelling and technology intertwined? The cooperative research project dwerft – linked film & tv services <http://www.hiig.de/en/project/d-werft-2/>, in which the HIIG is involved, addresses those technological challenges with an open and common core technology: “Linked Production Data”. | Change the picture <http://www.hiig.de/en/events/changing-the-picture-2015/>. Interdisciplinary Workshop: Privacy, Data Protection & Surveillance | 04 December 2015 Especially for those with works in progress, HIIG researcher Jörg Pohle and Johannes Eichenhofer (Uni Bielefeld) are inviting young researchers to present and discuss their current academic projects – no matter how far along you are. The focus of the workshop is the challenges of interdisciplinary research. Both speakers and attendees should apply by 8 November. Speakers are kindly asked to provide the title of their paper and a small abstract in the application form. | Apply now for the workshop <https://docs.google.com/a/hiig.de/forms/d/1KBe6_AvelVVFzAq6KT_UyKAv4ZG1IZ00…>. If you want to receive the HIIG-Newsletter quarterly, click here to subscribe <http://www.hiig.de/en/newsletter-registration/>. Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society Oberwallstraße 9 | D-10117 | Berlin | info(a)hiig.de <mailto:info@hiig.de> > >

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Invitation to the Global Internet Policy Observatory Survey "Towards federation roadmap"
by Kasia Jakimowicz Oct. 28, 2015

Oct. 28, 2015

Dear members on Network of Centres, your initiative has been identified as one of main stakeholders for GIPO (Global Internet Policy Observatory) federation roadmap, aimed at analysis of the possible scenarios of collaboration between GIPO and other initiatives. Therefore, we would like to kindly ask you to fill in the attached short survey and return it by the 30th October. The survey is also available online at: http://www.giponet.org/en/content/survey-towards-gipo-federation-roadmap-ho… About GIPO GIPO aims to provide an automated tool able to decode, contextualise and analyse thousands of pieces of data around a wide set of Internet governance topics. As a final product, the GIPO Observatory Tool will be able to seamlessly provide powerful insights into Internet searches related to cyber security, jurisdiction, e-commerce and several other important Internet related issues. The Observatory Tool (will) provide to users: - User interface enabling to search, view, comment, share items. - Visualisation dashboard of the data gathered - System to add and curate content. - System to evaluate and rate content. - System to retrieve content for reuse by others (incl. API). Currently, the project is in the first beta testing phase and second “iteration” of a four-part software development plan that would have the Observatory Tool ready for public use as early as 2016. GIPO adopts federated approach. The goal is to overcome the fragmentation and complexity of information but GIPO does not aim to centralize all this information by replacing the existing spaces. Instead, it is meant to be complementary and federated to them. GIPO is designed as a service to both final users and ,for most, to other observatories. In this respect the issue of degree of interoperability is of a major importance. More about GIPO on www.giponet.org. On behalf of GIPO team, Kasia Jakimowicz *European Affairs Manager* *Brussels - Barcelona* Rue de la Science 14b, Brussels E-mail: kjakimowicz(a)open-evidence.com Mobile: +32 470 18 92 17 / +34 695 032 621 Phone: +34 93 4 50 3585 Skype: kasia-jakimowicz be.linkedin.com/in/katejakimowicz/en/ www.open-evidence.com

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Invitation to the NoC annual meeting 2015 - Hong Kong, November 27
by Lorenzo Canova Oct. 19, 2015

Oct. 19, 2015

Dear Colleagues, We kindly invite you to attend the Network of Center's annual meeting on“Internet & Society: Emerging Topics and Research Communities <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://networkofcenters.net/NoC-annual-meeting…>,”which will take place on***Friday, November 27th in Hong Kong*. The NoC annual meeting will be preceded by the launch of theDigital Asia Hub <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.digitalasiahub.org/&sa=D&usg=AFQjCN…> on the evening of Thursday, November 26th. We warmly welcome NoC members planning to travel to the annual meeting to join us for the launch event as well.The November 27th NoC annual meeting is hosted by the Digital Asia Hub, and co-organized by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and the Nexa Center for Internet & Society at Politecnico di Torino. [November 27th NoC Meeting]The NoC annual meeting will be an opportunity to identify and highlight key innovations in the Internet & Society domain, exploring emerging global issues as well as region-specific topics in Asia. Existing and potential research efforts around online expression, data privacy, the Internet of Things, digital currencies, and many other issues are only a few of the open questions that our academic community continues to investigate. The meeting will be structured as three consecutive highly interactive sessions and will include a forward-looking discussion on the NoC’s research projects and their future trajectory. Further, the meeting will be an occasion to enhance mutual knowledge and cooperation within the NoC community of Centers and researchers, and to deliberate on the future of Internet & Society as a discipline and the impact of the NoC. You can see the agenda for the meeting athttp://networkofcenters.net/NoC-annual-meeting-2015 <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://networkofcenters.net/NoC-annual-meeting…>. [Logistics for the NoC Meeting] The meeting will be held at theHong Kong Country Club <https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.countryclub.hk/&sa=D&usg=AFQjCNGeT…>. While further details will follow, we hope that you will attend this significant event for the NoC and ask that you indicate whether you will be attendingby sending an email to: contact(a)networkofcenters.net by *26th October*.Please indicate whether you will attend the NoC Annual Meeting, November 26th Digital Asia Hub Launch (described below), or both.Please note that, due to limited capacity of the venue, attendance is first come first served, so please RSVP early. [November 26th Digital Asia Hub Launch]The Digital Asia Hub is an independent Internet & Society research hub in the form of a non-profit think tank based in Hong Kong. Incubated by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University and a diverse group of academic, civil society, and private sector partners, the Hub will provide anon-partisan, open, and collaborative platform for research, knowledge sharing and capacity building related to Internet & Society issues with focus on digital Asia.The Hub also aims to strengthen effective multi-stakeholder discourse, with both local and regional activities, and will contribute to - and itself serve as a node of - a larger network of academic organizations: the<https://www.google.com/url?q=http://networkofcenters.net/&sa=D&usg=AFQjCNEH…>Global Network of Internet & Society Centers <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://networkofcenters.net/&sa=D&usg=AFQjCNEH…>. Join us from5:00-7:30pm on November 27that theLiberty Exchange Bar <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lex.hk/&sa=D&usg=AFQjCNH0TycXWYi75txTlG…> to help celebrate the launch of the Hub, as well as the publication of a collection of essays on “The Good Life in Asia's Digital 21st Century.”As noted above, please RSVP tocontact(a)networkofcenters.net <mailto:contact@networkofcenters.net> if you are interested in attending the Digital Asia Hub Launch.Please also note the Hub is looking for anExecutive Director <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.digitalasiahub.org/portfolio/execut…>, and the deadline for applications is October 23rd if you or someone who you know might be interested in this position. [Accommodation suggestions]The closest recommended hotel to the venue, the Hong Kong Country Club, isL'hotel Island South <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lhotelislandsouth.com/&sa=D&usg=AFQ…>. Another option is to book a hotel in Causeway Bay, which is more centrally located but still not too far from the Hong Kong Country Club. Some nice hotels in the area are<https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hongkong.lansonplace.com/&sa=D&usg=AFQj…>Lanson Place <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hongkong.lansonplace.com/&sa=D&usg=AFQj…> which is a small boutique hotel and<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/h…>The Crowne Plaza <https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/h…>. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we hope to see you in November in Hong Kong. On behalf of the host and collaborators, Lorenzo Canova Nexa Center for Internet & Society at Politecnico di Torino (DAUIN) Juan Carlos de Martin Nexa Center for Internet & Society at Politecnico di Torino (DAUIN) Raimondo Iemma Nexa Center for Internet & Society at Politecnico di Torino (DAUIN) Urs Gasser Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University Lokman Tsui Digital Asia Hub, Hong Kong Donnie Dong Digital Asia Hub, Hong Kong -- Lorenzo Canova Research Fellow Nexa Center for Internet & Society Politecnico di Torino - DAUIN http://nexa.polito.it Project Manager Global Network of Internet & Society Research Centers http://networkofcenters.net/

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Tilburg Institute of Law, Technology and Society: Newsletter
by Sascha Schendel, van Oct. 8, 2015

Oct. 8, 2015

Dear all, The Tilburg Institute of Law, Technology and Society <https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/research/institutes-and-research-groups/t…> (TILT), located in The Netherlands, has recently joined The Network of Centers <http://networkofcenters.net/center/TILT>. TILT has an electronic newsletter that appears every six weeks. In this newsletter we provide news concerning the latest publications, projects and developments of TILT. If you want to be subscribed to our newsletter, please send an e-mail to Ms. Sascha van Schendel (s.vanschendel(a)tilburguniversity.edu) Kind regards, *Sascha van Schendel* *Internal & External Communications - Tilburg Institute of Law, Technology and Society (Tilburg University)*

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Call for Papers | Big data: Big power shifts? | Internet Policy Review | Deadline: Abstracts until 20 October
by Felix Krupar Oct. 6, 2015

Oct. 6, 2015

C A L L F O R P A P E R S The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society cordially invites you to submit your research projects for the Internet Policy Reviews' special issue on Big data: big power shifts? supported by the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT <http://policyreview.info/node/374> TOPIC & RELEVANCE Big data has been a major issue in internet-related public debate for several years now and it is yet unclear what impact big data has on societies, politics and markets. We conceive big data as constituted by three components: the automatic generation of very large and diverse data sets which are mainly the result of the digitisation of modern societies, their processing by algorithms and their use for decision-making and regulation, in the private or public sector. This includes purposes such as profiling, monitoring, predictive analysis and risk calculation. Mayer-Schönberger & Cukier claim that big data is a “revolution that will transform how we live, work, and think” (2014). But whereas revolutions imply a profound shift in power relations, there is little scientific evidence about whether and, if so, how big data affects power relations. We understand power as the production, in and through social relations, of effects that shape the capacities of actors to determine their fate. Power opens up or closes off options to act for parties involved and it is multi-dimensional: it is influence over others, empowerment, the capacity to act and to self-discipline. SCOPE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE The aim of the special issue in the Internet Policy Review is to explore the extent to which big data shapes society by influencing power relations and, in return, how the development of big data-related phenomena is itself shaped by power relations. We welcome proposals that address power relations linked to big data phenomena in various fields, as long as they bear a relevance to European societies and highlight policy implications or make a reference to regulatory debates. Papers can have both a more conceptual or a more empirical focus. This call for papers is open to researchers from the fields of policy studies, sociology, law, philosophy, data, information and technology studies, economics and management and related fields. Emerging scholars are particularly encouraged to submit a proposal. FOCUS OF THE PAPERS As stated above, scientific knowledge about which power relations shape the big data society is still scarce. Yet much has been said about the many promising and worrying aspects of a society built on predictive analysis, machine learning and algorithmic regulation, and various implicit and explicit hypotheses about the power effects of big data have emerged in the academic and public debate. Empowerment of users/citizens/patients: Will big data empower users, citizens and patients through applications and services (tailored services, e-participation, e-health)? Power shifts and conflicts over power between actors: Does big data alter the power relation between states and citizens (‘surveillance society’, ‘governing the poor’, manipulation of voters by individualised election campaigns)? Do personalised marketing and the monitoring of staff affect the power relations between companies and users or employees? Do new power relations between companies, political candidates/parties or states arise due to unequal access to big data applications? Does big data influence the relative importance of scientific disciplines or professions (data analysts versus lawyers and economists)? Different modes of decision-making and knowledge production: Are current norms and practices threatened by ‘algorithmic regulation’ and the ‘end of theory’? Power relations shaping big data: How do power relations shape the development of big data and the precise big data related practices, modes of production and application fields? Narratives: How are big data related power relations addressed, problematized or, on the contrary, masked? Regulation of big data: What regulations are relevant for big data related power relations? What alternative regulations are proposed? BEST PAPER AWARD In addition to the special issue the authors selected for the best paper award will be invited to speak at the closing lecture of the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society-lecture series Big data: big power shifts? The lecture is set to be held in Berlin in April 2016 in cooperation with the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. IMPORTANT DATES 20 October 2015: Deadline for expression of interest and abstract submissions (500 word abstracts) via our webpage <http://policyreview.info/node/374> 27 October 2015: Feedback on abstract submissions 14 December 2015: Deadline for full text submissions (max. 30 000 characters spaces included). The full text form will be provided on 27 October. All details on text submissions can be found under: http://policyreview.info/authors <http://policyreview.info/authors> March 2016: Publication of the special issue Special issue editors: Dr. Lena Ulbricht, WZB Berlin Social Science Center (lena.ulbricht(a)wzb.eu <mailto:lena.ulbricht@wzb.eu?subject=Call+for+Papers:+Big+Data:+big+power+shifts?>) and Maximilian von Grafenstein LL.M., Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (max.grafenstein(a)hiig.de <mailto:max.grafenstein@hiig.de?subject=Call+for+Papers:+Big+Data:+big+powershifts?>). Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society Oberwallstraße 9 | D-10117 | Berlin | Germany | info(a)hiig.de <mailto:info@hiig.de> | Unsubscribe <http://www.hiig.de/sugar-landing-page/index.php?entryPoint=removeme&identif…>

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Berkman Center Launches New Internet Data Dashboard
by Rebekah Heacock Jones Sept. 28, 2015

Sept. 28, 2015

Dear Friends, The Berkman Center is delighted to share its new Internet Monitor data dashboard with you! The official announcement is below, and the dashboard is up at https://dashboard.thenetmonitor.org/. As noted in the announcement, we are actively seeking additional data partners, and we would welcome suggestions from you and your networks regarding potential data sources, data partners, new data visualizations, and collaborators. We've created a video that provides an overview of the new tool here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUs-5XRgVKw. A short teaser/trailer video is at https://youtu.be/Rwld3EGMbKw, and a video tutorial is at https://youtu.be/PnjEXgJ1Ge0. We're excited to provide this tool to policymakers, researchers, advocates, and user communities who are shaping the future of the Internet. Should you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly atrheacock(a)cyber.law.harvard.edu or to the full Internet Monitor team at info(a)thenetmonitor.org. Cheers, Rebekah ********** *Berkman Center Launches New Internet Data Dashboard* *Dashboard debuts at World Economic Forum meeting in Geneva* The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University <https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/> is pleased to announce the launch of the Internet Monitor dashboard <https://dashboard.thenetmonitor.org/>, a freely accessible tool that aims to improve information for policymakers, researchers, advocates, and user communities working to shape the future of the Internet by helping them understand trends in Internet health and activity through data analysis and visualization. “Over three billion people around the globe use the Internet—for communication, for education, for livelihood,” said Urs Gasser, Executive Director of the Berkman Center. “As the Internet becomes a vital part of more and more people’s lives and as we shape its future, we need both data and analysis to help understand how it’s working. The Internet Monitor dashboard brings this data and analysis together in an easily shareable way.” The dashboard lets users customize a collection of data visualization widgets—some offering real-time data—about Internet access and infrastructure, online content controls, and digital activity. Users can create multiple collections that enable easy comparisons across countries and data sources, and are quick to configure, edit, and share. In addition to creating their own collections, visitors to the dashboard will be able to view a selection of featured collections based on topics such as online media and network traffic around the world. “I love what the Internet Monitor makes possible: a nuanced, informative view of what is really happening on the Internet all around the world,” said John Palfrey, a Director of the Berkman Center. “I couldn’t be more excited by what we can learn by virtue of having this tool at the disposal of researchers, policymakers, journalists, and the public at large.” The Internet Monitor dashboard launched on September 28 at the World Economic Forum's Future of the Internet Initiative (FII) core community meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. As a Knowledge Partner of the FII, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society is leading and participating in a set of activities that aim to foster an open, interoperable, and affordable Internet, serving the global public interest. “Internet Monitor is a key part of our effort to expand the evidence base for public and private decision making about the future of the Internet,” said Mark Spelman, Future of the Internet Initiative, World Economic Forum. “We are glad to be partnering with the Berkman Center on such an important venture.” Internet Monitor’s public data platform <http://thenetmonitor.org/map> and Access Index <https://thenetmonitor.org/faq/a-hackable-access-index>, which launched in July 2014, offer free public access to an initial set of primary and secondary data and related analysis. The project’s research series <https://thenetmonitor.org/research> focuses on key events and new developments in Internet controls and online activity. The new dashboard offers an interactive view of of the state of the Internet across a variety of dimensions. By making data more available and approachable, the dashboard aims to inspire both greater use of the data that exists and greater efforts to collect and share that data that does not yet exist. "Internet architecture relies on an extraordinary collective hallucination: there is no central authority or switching station,” said Jonathan Zittrain, Faculty Chair of the Berkman Center. “That has made measurement of even basic facts about the size and scope of the Internet, and the flow of bits within it, difficult. We need those measurements to inform any number of debates about the state and future of the Internet. This project aims to get them.” Zittrain added that a key feature of the dashboard is that its data comes from many sources, making important work from a variety of people and institutions around the world more accessible to people who can use it. Internet Monitor continues to seek and integrate new sources of data in order to provide policymakers, digital activists, researchers, journalists, and user communities with an authoritative, independent, and multi-faceted set of quantitative data on the state of the global Internet. Current data partners include organizations such as Akamai, which is contributing data on country-level Internet connection speeds, network attacks, and web traffic; Kaspersky, which is contributing data on spam, cyberattacks, and infections; Media Cloud, which is contributing data on online media worldwide; and Herdict, which is contributing data on crowdsourced reports of website unavailability. The project will continue to add new data partners and sources on a rolling basis. About Internet Monitor Internet Monitor is a research project based at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society. Internet Monitor's aim is to evaluate, describe, and summarize the means, mechanisms, and extent of Internet content controls and Internet activity around the world. The project helps researchers, advocates, policymakers, and user communities understand trends in Internet health and activity through research, analysis, and data visualization. More information can be found at https://thenetmonitor.org. About the Berkman Center The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University is a research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. Founded in 1997, through a generous gift from Jack N. and Lillian R. Berkman, the Center is home to an ever-growing community of faculty, fellows, staff, and affiliates working on projects that span the broad range of intersections between cyberspace, technology, and society. More information can be found at http://cyber.law.harvard.edu. About the World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum is a comprehensive and integrated platform to strategically shape global, regional, national and industry agendas. The Forum helps the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to improve the state of the world, serving as an independent and impartial partner and acting as the officially recognized International Institution for Public-Private Cooperation. More information can be found at http://www.weforum.org/. Contact info(a)thenetmonitor.org -- Rebekah Heacock Jones Senior Project Manager Berkman Center for Internet & Society | http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/ +1-617-384-9141 | Skype: rebekah.heacock

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The Network of Centers welcomes 5 new participants
by Raimondo Iemma Sept. 24, 2015

Sept. 24, 2015

Dear Friends, The Global Network of Internet & Society Research Centers (NoC) is happy to welcome 5 new participants from across the world! The joining Centers are described below. Please visit the links to get further information on their current research, areas of interest, and on the contact persons. The full list of the Centers involved in the NoC -currently 56- is available at http://networkofcenters.net/centers. -- The following Centers have joined the NoC as *Participating Centers*, i.e., academic research centers whose agenda is primarily focused on Internet & Society topics. They are listed in alphabetical order. * *Centro de Estudos Sociedade e Tecnologia, University of Sao Paulo *[Brazil] o Webpage: http://www.cest.poli.usp.br/en/ o The Centro de Estudos Sociedade e Tecnologia (CEST) was created at Universidade de São Paulo in December, 2013, starting from a grant by Microsoft Corporation. CEST’s purpose is to research and discuss the way Information and Communications Technologies affect people’s life and create new habits, solving many problems but also raising issues related to safety, business, privacy, intellectual property. CEST works on these complex issues by producing research and white papers and by fostering discussions in events involving academics, technologists, public officials, and the society at large. Currently CEST is focusing on issues such as online and open education, creative currencies, Internet of Things. o The main contact persons within the NoC are *Edison Spina* (Founder and coordinator) and *Fabio Nascimbeni* (Collaborator). [See bios at http://www.cest.poli.usp.br/en/pessoas/] * *Institute of Communication Sciences (ISCC) *[France] o Webpage: http://www.iscc.cnrs.fr/ o The Institute of Communication Sciences (ISCC) is a research center of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris Sorbonne and University Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC). Its activities, spanned in 12 research groups with 13 permanent researchers and 31 researchers from partner universities, are dedicated to interdisciplinary research in communication science with a special interest in the interaction between science, technologies and society. o The main contact persons within the NoC are *Mélanie Dulong de Rosnay *(Permanent researcher at CNRS, and Leader of the research group Information and Commons Governance, http://www.iscc.cnrs.fr/spip.php?article1558) and *Francesca Musiani* (Researcher, http://www.csi.mines-paristech.fr/People/musiani/) * *Melbourne Networked Society Institute, University of Melbourne* [Australia] o Webpage: http://networkedsociety.unimelb.edu.au/ o The Melbourne Networked Society Institute undertakes interdisciplinary research on the connectivity between people, places and things to solve the problems facing the networked society. The Melbourne Networked Society Institute officially commenced in February 2015. MNSI builds upon the history of the Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES) and marks the natural evolution of the Institute as research has evolved from focusing on universal access to broadband to the complexity, scale and speed of connectivity underpinning the networked society. o The main contact persons within the NoC are *Adam Lodders* (Executive officer) and *Thas Nirmalathas* (Director, http://networkedsociety.unimelb.edu.au/about/people/nirmalathas.html) * *United Nations University Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) *[China] o Webpage: http://cs.unu.edu/ o The United Nations University Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) is a new research institute at the intersections of information and communication technologies and international development (ICTD). Located in Macau SAR, China, UNU-CS focuses on the key challenges faced by developing societies through high-impact innovations in computing and communication technologies. o The main contact person within the NoC is *Michael L. Best* (Director, http://mikeb.inta.gatech.edu/) * *Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society* at Tilburg University [Netherlands] o Webpage: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/research/institutes-and-research-groups/t… o The Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) is a top player in the field of the regulation of technology and its normative implications. They conduct research into the legal and social implications of various emerging technologies such as ICT, bio- and nanotechnology, neurotechnology and robotics. A key feature of the institute’s research program is the interaction between legal, technological, and social perspectives. TILT is consistently ranked a top institute for research and education by national and international Legal Research and Education Assessment Committees. o The main contact person within the NoC is *Ronald Leenes* (Director, http://www.ronaldleenes.nl/prof-dr-ronald-leenes/) Again, a warm welcome to all new participants in the Network of Centers! -- *About the Network of Internet and Society Research Centers* The Global Network of Internet and Society Research Centers (NoC) was launched by a group of academic centers in 2012 in recognition of the lack of internationally coordinated research and engagement activities in issues concerning the Internet and related technologies. The NoC is a collaborative initiative among academic institutions with a focus on interdisciplinary research on the development, social impact, policy implications, and legal issues concerning the Internet. This collective aims to increase interoperability between participating centers in order to stimulate the creation of new cross-national, cross-disciplinary conversation, debate, teaching, learning, and engagement regarding the most pressing questions around new technologies, social change, and related policy and regulatory developments. See http://networkofcenters.net/get-involved/. -- Raimondo Iemma Managing Director & Research Fellow Nexa Center for Internet and Society http://nexa.polito.it/ Project Manager Global Network of Internet & Society Research Centers http://networkofcenters.net/

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Open Rank Faculty Positions at the School of Public Policy of Central European University and Research Opportunities at the Center for Media, Data and Society at SPP
by Eva Bognar Aug. 25, 2015

Aug. 25, 2015

Apologies for cross-posting, please distribute in your networks. There are new opportunities at the Center for Media, Data and Society ( http://cmds.ceu.edu/) and at the School of Public Policy of Central European University ( http://spp.ceu.edu/) : the School is hiring two faculty in media and communications, and the Center is offering short-term pre- and post-doc research grants. Two Open Rank Faculty Positions at the School of Public Policy of Central European University 1. The School of Public Policy (SPP) of Central European University invites applications for an open rank full time faculty position in New Media and Global Communications. More details about the position and the application can be found here: https://hro.ceu.edu/vacancies/open-rank-faculty-position-new-media-global-c… . 2. SPP also has an exciting opportunity for a media specialist to join the School. This position is full time and open to all ranks. We particularly encourage applications from candidates working on Global South / Non Western media, with a focus on the intersection of media, politics and diplomacy, and who have the professional skills to empower students to communicate their ideas through interaction with real-world media. More details about the position and the application can be found here: https://hro.ceu.edu/vacancies/open-rank-faculty-position-journalism-and-med… . Review of applications will begin on September 28, 2015. Pre- and Post-Doctoral Research Opportunities at the Center for Media, Data and Society at the School of Public Policy of Central European University for Fall 2015 / Winter 2016 The Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS) at the School of Public Policy of Central European University is pleased to announce the availability of short-term research grants for the fall 2015 or winter 2016. These are pre- and post-doctoral appointments with the expectation of residence in Budapest for 1-3 months, depending on the project. The Center welcomes applications from a variety of disciplines, including the social, information and computer sciences, and media, law, or science and technology studies, and in particular, related to these domains of inquiry: - Understanding violent extremism online - Civil society and technology - Internet policy advocacy - Digital rights - Privacy and data protection - Strengthening journalism in Europe - Trends in regional protection of freedom of expression. Review of applications will begin on September 1, 2015. See more at: http://cmds.ceu.edu/article/2015-08-03/pre-and-post-doctoral-opportunities-… EVA BOGNAR Acting Executive Director CMDS - Center for Media, Data and Society, School of Public Policy Central European University Nador u. 9 | 1051 Budapest, Hungary Phone: + 36.1.327.3000 ( tel:%2B%2036.1.327.3000) / 2609 bognare(a)ceu.hu | www.cmds.ceu.hu

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Call for Essay and Student Writing Competition: The Good Life in Asia's Digital 21st Century (Abstracts Due: September 8th)
by Raimondo Iemma Aug. 25, 2015

Aug. 25, 2015

Dear Friends, I am happy to share the Call for Essay below. Many thanks, Raimondo -- *Call for Essay and Student Writing Competition: The Good Life in Asia's Digital 21st Century (Abstracts Due: September 8th)* Dear Colleagues, The Berkman Center for Internet & Society <https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/>, in collaboration with its Asian partners, including the UNU-CS <http://cs.unu.edu> and the C-Centre <http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/c-centre/english/>, as well as the Global Network of Interdisciplinary Internet & Society Research Centers <http://networkofcenters.net/> (NoC), is excited to invite you to submit reflection pieces in the form of short essays (1500-2000 words) for a collection entitled, “Digital Good Life in Asia’s 21st Century.” This collection will be published in November 2015 in the context of an international and interdisciplinary symposium on Digital Asia in Hong Kong. Papers submitted by students will be considered for an award offered for the best three papers. *Topics and Possible Perspective*s Specifically, we would like to invite you to submit original contributions that address one of the following topics: * *Mobile: *For instance, how does mobile access to knowledge, economic information, and news change political, economic and entrepreneurial behavior? What are best practices for expanding access and including underserved communities? How does always-on and always-available change human relationships and cultural practices? * *Internet of Things:* For instance, what can we learn from Hackerspaces and IoT as grassroot movements in various Asian countries? What are scenarios of a good life that are supported by IoT technology? What are examples of technologies that are based on Asian values? * *Innovation & Creativity: *For instance, how might various Asian traditions and values interact with a remix culture? How can digital technology foster innovation and creativity in the Asian context? * *Digital Economy Ecosystem / Observatory:* For instance, what are the arguments for the creation of a Asian Digital Economy Observatory? How would such an observatory improve the availability of data and comparability of the current practices on key Internet issues? * *Digital Literacy:* For instance, what are examples that demonstrate the increasing importance of technological literacy for everyday participation in private and public affairs? What are good/best practices to foster digital literacy among different populations? * *ICT4D: *For instance, what are the roles and relevance of digital technologies to social and political development especially in emerging parts of Asia? How can these technologies reach and empower the most marginalized among us? How can everyone sustainably enjoy a good life? * *Digital Rights: *For instance, how do new technologies impact digital rights? What can we learn from the discussions on digital rights, cultural values, and internet sovereignty in various Asian countries? What kind of digital rights are necessary for a good life? Within your selected thematic frame, the essay could, for instance, provide an overview and/or analysis of relevant fields in Asian countries; a comparative view between Asian countries; identify, highlight, discuss, and/or reflect upon key findings, insights, stories, or examples related to the topics above; cover additional issues, phenomena, visions, or questions that you think may be helpful in understanding these topics; or include interesting examples of tools, case studies, initiatives/efforts in Asia, or focus on a specific mode, process or method—something that you are excited about. Additional ideas are welcome! *Format Guidelines * Regarding *length and format*, the essays should: * Be written in English; * Be between 1,500-2,000 words in length; * Use APA citation style <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/> (no footnotes; only in-text citation with a reference list at the end); * If you intend to use images in your essay, please make sure they are of good quality (high resolution). Please indicate in the text where the images should be placed and make sure you submit the images together with your text; * If helpful, include a list of 5-8 resources, including the relevant URLs, at the end of your text (e.g. scholarly research, examples and case studies, books, people, tools, etc); * Make sure to include a captivating title; * Below the title, please add your name and affiliation; * Submit your text as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or Google doc. *Acceptance and Submission Process * Please send a 1-page abstract of your proposed essay as well as your contact information to apruitt(a)cyber.law.harvard.edu by *September 8th, 2015* for planning and initial feedback. Final submissions are due to the same email address by *September 21st, 2015*. The Berkman team will inform contributors by the beginning of October 2015 whether or not their essay has been selected for publication. The review will be conducted by an international editorial team, and the Berkman Center will help with language editing for selected essays. The finalized contributions will be published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>. *Student Writing Competition* As part of this call for essays, we will also be holding a student writing competition. From the essays submitted by current students, we will select the top three. First place will receive a cash stipend of $3000; second place will receive $2000; and third place will receive $1000. Information about the acceptance process, eligibility, and prize payment is as follows. * *Eligibility: *To be eligible for prize money, essays must be written by students over the age of 18, currently pursuing a post-secondary degree (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or post-doctoral research). * *Acceptance Process: *The Berkman Center will inform students in October 2015 whether or not their contribution has won a prize. * *Prize Payment: * The Berkman Center will provide a stipend to the students selected for the three best submissions, subject to applicable law. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions, and we hope you will consider sharing something with us! Best, Urs Gasser, Michael Best, Lokman Tsui, and Donnie Dong on behalf of the Digital Asia collaborators

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Call for papers by 17 August - International Regulatory Trends on Personal Data Protection - II Seminar
by Raimondo Iemma Aug. 24, 2015

Aug. 24, 2015

Dear Friends, I am happy to share information on the Call for Papers - *deadline 17 August* - related to the NoC regional symposium on*International Regulatory Trends on Personal Data Protection* to be held 6 November at *Santiago de Chile* Law School - Centre for Information Technology Law Studies (CEDI). Please find all details at http://networkofcenters.net/event/data-protection-chile-II *Topics* include the following: i) Internet of Things ii) Big Data and its effects on personal data protection iii) Cloud Computing and personal data protection iv) Personal data protection and public transparency v) International harmonization of rules on personal data protection vi) Privacy of children and Internet vii) Personal data protection and other fields of regulation, especially consumers rights, freedom of speech, online marketing and intermediary responsibility. *Contact*: cedi AT derecho DOT uchile DOT cl Many thanks, Raimondo -- Raimondo Iemma Managing Director & Research Fellow Nexa Center for Internet and Society http://nexa.polito.it/ Project Manager Global Network of Internet & Society Research Centers http://networkofcenters.net/

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