Thursday, September 20, 2018
Interest in diversity and inclusion workshops continues to grow as program enters third year; The University of Pittsburgh: The University Times, September 18, 2018
Susan Jones, The University of Pittsburgh: The University Times; Interest in diversity and inclusion workshops continues to grow as program enters third year
"The required classes are:
Other workshops being offered this fall are:
"The required classes are:
- “Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Environment: The Why and How,” 9-11 a.m. Oct. 10, Nov. 2 and Nov. 30
- “Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Your Responsibility,” 1-3 p.m. Sept. 25 and 29
Other workshops being offered this fall are:
- “Different Like You: Recognizing Stereotypes and Removing Barriers”
- “Understanding Harassment: How to Recognize and Respond”
- “Baby Boomers to Millennials: Respect and Productivity in the Workplace”
- “Intercultural Competency: Beyond the Basics”
- “Veterans on Campus: Understanding Resources and Opportunity”
- “Workplace Bullying: Understanding a Barrier to Equal Opportunity”
- “Gender Theory, Gender Diversity, and Trans-Inclusive Spaces”"
Public May Not Trust Higher Ed, but Employers Do; Inside Higher Ed, August 28, 2018
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Inside Higher Ed; Public May Not Trust Higher Ed, but Employers Do
"A couple of the skills that both parties valued the most: effective oral communication and critical thinking...
[AAC&U president Lynn] Pasquerella also said institutions should be mindful of the continued and growing economic segregation in higher education, and ensure that underserved students are being reached with these types of opportunities."
"A couple of the skills that both parties valued the most: effective oral communication and critical thinking...
[AAC&U president Lynn] Pasquerella also said institutions should be mindful of the continued and growing economic segregation in higher education, and ensure that underserved students are being reached with these types of opportunities."
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Publishers Call Out Target for 'Censoring' Book Descriptions; Publishers Weekly, September 13, 2018
Claire Kirch, Publishers Weekly; Publishers Call Out Target for 'Censoring' Book Descriptions
"According to Ohio State University Press director Tony Sanfilippo, Target’s move might be a well-meaning policy gone awry. “I understand that they might want to avoid controversy. But if they want to keep Nazis off their site, or Nazi-themed products out of their search results, there are ways of doing that that don’t censor. If you can’t say 'Nazi,' you can’t stop Nazis. And if you can’t search for books about the trans community and trans issues, your search engine and your corporate philosophy are morally flawed.""
"According to Ohio State University Press director Tony Sanfilippo, Target’s move might be a well-meaning policy gone awry. “I understand that they might want to avoid controversy. But if they want to keep Nazis off their site, or Nazi-themed products out of their search results, there are ways of doing that that don’t censor. If you can’t say 'Nazi,' you can’t stop Nazis. And if you can’t search for books about the trans community and trans issues, your search engine and your corporate philosophy are morally flawed.""
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Forbidden love: the original Dorian Gray revealed, direct from Oscar Wilde’s pen; The Guardian, September 8, 2018
Donna Ferguson, The Guardian; Forbidden love: the original Dorian Gray revealed, direct from Oscar Wilde’s pen
"It is the first time the original manuscript in Wilde’s own writing has been published and demonstrates how he self-censored some of the most romantic paragraphs. He tones down the more overt references to the homoerotic nature of Basil Hallward’s relationship with Dorian, crossing out his confession that “the world becomes young to me when I hold his hand”.
Yet the manuscript also includes passages – later removed from the novel we know today – that show how Wilde wanted to shock his Victorian readers by openly writing about homosexual feelings. For example, this declaration of love by Basil for Dorian on page 147: “It is quite true that I have worshipped you with far more romance than a man should ever give to a friend. Somehow I have never loved a woman… I quite admit that I adored you madly, extravagantly, absurdly.”"
"It is the first time the original manuscript in Wilde’s own writing has been published and demonstrates how he self-censored some of the most romantic paragraphs. He tones down the more overt references to the homoerotic nature of Basil Hallward’s relationship with Dorian, crossing out his confession that “the world becomes young to me when I hold his hand”.
Yet the manuscript also includes passages – later removed from the novel we know today – that show how Wilde wanted to shock his Victorian readers by openly writing about homosexual feelings. For example, this declaration of love by Basil for Dorian on page 147: “It is quite true that I have worshipped you with far more romance than a man should ever give to a friend. Somehow I have never loved a woman… I quite admit that I adored you madly, extravagantly, absurdly.”"
How can we better serve LGBTQ journalists?; The Poynter Institute, September 14, 2018
Daniel Funke, The Poynter Institute; How can we better serve LGBTQ journalists?
"Striving to dismantle otherness in order to come up with
solutions to journalism’s biggest problems is a constant thread at
NLGJA. This year, one of the event’s main panels was made up almost entirely of people of color. There were sessions on how to cover the transgender community, telling stories about bisexuals and diversity and intersection. Some of the issues journalists highlighted include:
- Deadnaming transgender people in obituaries.
- A lack of sensitivity from newsroom leaders about stories that could potentially be triggering for reporters of diversity.
- Missing out on important local stories about the LGBTQ community because of national political coverage.
- A lack of support for journalists who experience trauma on assignment.
- Covering stories about transgender people that don’t involve death or hardship."
Thursday, September 13, 2018
NIPS | 2018: Thirty-second Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems; NIPS Code of Conduct
NIPS | 2018: Thirty-second Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems
[Kip Currier: Listening to a Getting Smart podcast, "AI4All Extends The Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls", led me to Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) and their NIPS Code of Conduct, which I've copied below]
"NIPS Code of Conduct
The open exchange of ideas, the freedom of thought and expression, and respectful scientific debate are central to the goals of this conference on machine learning; this requires a community and an environment that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person.
Who? All participants---attendees, organizers, reviewers, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference, workshops, and conference-sponsored social events---are required to agree with this code of conduct both during the event and on official communication channels, including social media. Organizers will enforce this code, and we expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe and productive environment for everybody.
Scope? The conference commits itself to providing an experience for all participants that is free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and retaliation for all participants. This includes offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), politics, technology choices, or any other personal characteristics. Bullying, intimidation, personal attacks, harassment, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and behavior that interferes with another's full participation will not be tolerated. This includes sexual harassment, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, public vulgar exchanges, and diminutive characterizations, which are all unwelcome in this community.
Sponsors are equally subject to this Code of Conduct. In particular, sponsors should not use images, activities, or other materials that are of a sexual, racial, or otherwise offensive nature. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. This code applies both to official sponsors as well as any organization that uses the conference name as branding as part of its activities at or around the conference.
Outcomes? Participants asked by any member of the community to stop any such behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in such behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including: a formal or informal warning to the offender, expulsion from the conference with no refund, barring from participation in future conferences or their organization, reporting the incident to the offender’s local institution or funding agencies, or reporting the incident to local law enforcement. A response of "just joking" will not be accepted; behavior can be harassing without an intent to offend. If action is taken, an appeals process will be made available.
Reporting? If you have concerns related to your inclusion at that conference, or observe someone else's difficulties, or have any other concerns related to inclusion, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs. The Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs can be reached by email at diversity-chairs@lists.nips.cc, on Twitter at @InclusionInML or by telephone/wechat at a number to be announced shortly; conference volunteers will also have this contact information and can assist with connecting you to the co-chairs. Complaints and violations will be handled at the discretion of the Diversity & Inclusion co-chairs, general chair and the conference board. Reports made during the conference will be responded to in less than 24 hours; those at other times in less than two weeks. We are prepared and eager to help participants contact relevant help services, to escort them to a safe location, or to otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We gratefully accept feedback from the community on policy and actions; please contact us."
[Kip Currier: Listening to a Getting Smart podcast, "AI4All Extends The Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls", led me to Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) and their NIPS Code of Conduct, which I've copied below]
"NIPS Code of Conduct
The open exchange of ideas, the freedom of thought and expression, and respectful scientific debate are central to the goals of this conference on machine learning; this requires a community and an environment that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person.
Who? All participants---attendees, organizers, reviewers, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference, workshops, and conference-sponsored social events---are required to agree with this code of conduct both during the event and on official communication channels, including social media. Organizers will enforce this code, and we expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe and productive environment for everybody.
Scope? The conference commits itself to providing an experience for all participants that is free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and retaliation for all participants. This includes offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), politics, technology choices, or any other personal characteristics. Bullying, intimidation, personal attacks, harassment, sustained disruption of talks or other events, and behavior that interferes with another's full participation will not be tolerated. This includes sexual harassment, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, public vulgar exchanges, and diminutive characterizations, which are all unwelcome in this community.
Sponsors are equally subject to this Code of Conduct. In particular, sponsors should not use images, activities, or other materials that are of a sexual, racial, or otherwise offensive nature. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. This code applies both to official sponsors as well as any organization that uses the conference name as branding as part of its activities at or around the conference.
Outcomes? Participants asked by any member of the community to stop any such behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in such behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including: a formal or informal warning to the offender, expulsion from the conference with no refund, barring from participation in future conferences or their organization, reporting the incident to the offender’s local institution or funding agencies, or reporting the incident to local law enforcement. A response of "just joking" will not be accepted; behavior can be harassing without an intent to offend. If action is taken, an appeals process will be made available.
Reporting? If you have concerns related to your inclusion at that conference, or observe someone else's difficulties, or have any other concerns related to inclusion, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs. The Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs can be reached by email at diversity-chairs@lists.nips.cc, on Twitter at @InclusionInML or by telephone/wechat at a number to be announced shortly; conference volunteers will also have this contact information and can assist with connecting you to the co-chairs. Complaints and violations will be handled at the discretion of the Diversity & Inclusion co-chairs, general chair and the conference board. Reports made during the conference will be responded to in less than 24 hours; those at other times in less than two weeks. We are prepared and eager to help participants contact relevant help services, to escort them to a safe location, or to otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We gratefully accept feedback from the community on policy and actions; please contact us."
AI4All Extends The Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls; Getting Smart, March 1, 2018
Getting Smart Staff, Getting Smart; AI4All Extends The Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls
"In 2015, Stanford’s Fei-Fei Li, Olga Russakovsky, and Rick Sommer started a summer camp to address the diversity crisis. The early programs, focused on high school girls, had incredible results including increased technical ability, connections to role models, and a sense of belonging in computer science and AI for participants.
A new nonprofit, AI4ALL, was formed last year to extend access to summer programs like the one launched by Li, Russakovsky, and Sommer–beginning with Stanford, Carnegie Mellon University, Berkeley, Princeton, Boston University, and Simon Fraser.
The mission of AI4ALL, according to Posner, is to increase diversity and inclusion in the field and to make sure the benefits are widely shared by democratizing access to tools and involveing [sic] diverse voices in the field."
"In 2015, Stanford’s Fei-Fei Li, Olga Russakovsky, and Rick Sommer started a summer camp to address the diversity crisis. The early programs, focused on high school girls, had incredible results including increased technical ability, connections to role models, and a sense of belonging in computer science and AI for participants.
A new nonprofit, AI4ALL, was formed last year to extend access to summer programs like the one launched by Li, Russakovsky, and Sommer–beginning with Stanford, Carnegie Mellon University, Berkeley, Princeton, Boston University, and Simon Fraser.
The mission of AI4ALL, according to Posner, is to increase diversity and inclusion in the field and to make sure the benefits are widely shared by democratizing access to tools and involveing [sic] diverse voices in the field."
Let's Talk About AI Ethics; We're On A Deadline; Forbes, September 13, 2018
Tom Vander Ark, Forbes; Let's Talk About AI Ethics; We're On A Deadline
"In Pittsburgh, the Montour School District launched America's First Public School AI Program.
Justin Aglio, director of academic achievement and innovation, is working with MIT on an open source middle school AI Ethics Curriculum that will develop students’ ethical thinking abilities in the domain of artificial intelligence. In addition to learning computer science fundamentals, students will also learn how professions such as designers, social scientists, or philosophers contribute to the ethical design of AI systems.”
AI4ALL is creating a national network of university computer science departments connecting with high school students.
Why secondary schools as the hub of community conversations? Every secondary school student should be studying the implications of AI--it’s the most important change force that will shape their careers, social networks, and communities. And what better way to learn than to host conversations that explore what’s going on, what it means, and how to prepare (see a SXSWedu conversation using this framework)?
It’s time to #AskAboutAI. It’s time for secondary schools to become the hub of community conversations about the ethics and opportunities of our time. We’re on a deadline."
"In Pittsburgh, the Montour School District launched America's First Public School AI Program.
Justin Aglio, director of academic achievement and innovation, is working with MIT on an open source middle school AI Ethics Curriculum that will develop students’ ethical thinking abilities in the domain of artificial intelligence. In addition to learning computer science fundamentals, students will also learn how professions such as designers, social scientists, or philosophers contribute to the ethical design of AI systems.”
AI4ALL is creating a national network of university computer science departments connecting with high school students.
Why secondary schools as the hub of community conversations? Every secondary school student should be studying the implications of AI--it’s the most important change force that will shape their careers, social networks, and communities. And what better way to learn than to host conversations that explore what’s going on, what it means, and how to prepare (see a SXSWedu conversation using this framework)?
It’s time to #AskAboutAI. It’s time for secondary schools to become the hub of community conversations about the ethics and opportunities of our time. We’re on a deadline."
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Law dean plans to promote inclusivity as one of her top priorities; University of Pittsburgh: University Times, September 5, 2018
Donovan Harrell, University of Pittsburgh: University Times;
"As the fall 2018 semester begins, Amy J. Wildermuth has been adjusting to her new position as dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law...
What are some of your goals for your first semester?
The first thing is to be a good listener. I really want to listen and learn as much as I can about this place, and I learn something new every day. When I think about listening and learning, I mean not just in the law school, but at the university level, in the community —especially with our alums and the practicing bar.
One of the big interests of the law school moving forward is inclusive excellence. And we are looking for a person to fill our … equity and inclusive excellence directorship. We are beginning to incorporate more education and training on inclusive excellence for everyone in this building. It's a very big priority for us. It's a passion of mine."
Law dean plans to promote inclusivity as one of her top priorities
"As the fall 2018 semester begins, Amy J. Wildermuth has been adjusting to her new position as dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law...
What are some of your goals for your first semester?
The first thing is to be a good listener. I really want to listen and learn as much as I can about this place, and I learn something new every day. When I think about listening and learning, I mean not just in the law school, but at the university level, in the community —especially with our alums and the practicing bar.
One of the big interests of the law school moving forward is inclusive excellence. And we are looking for a person to fill our … equity and inclusive excellence directorship. We are beginning to incorporate more education and training on inclusive excellence for everyone in this building. It's a very big priority for us. It's a passion of mine."
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Letter to the Editor: "Get the Facts on Readers", Emailed to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Kip Currier, September 1, 2018
[Kip
Currier: I'm copying below a Letter to the Editor--titled "Get the
Facts on Readers"--that I emailed today (September 1, 2018) to The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. For additional background, see this story.]
Get the Facts on
Readers
Dear Editor,
The Post-Gazette is running a multi-platform ad campaign
that weaponizes variations of the line “I will never go digital” to make fun
of older readers, depicted as fuddy-duddy Luddites. In one particularly
offensive TV spot, a digitally-savvy granddaughter openly mocks her grandmother
who prefers print.
Research refutes the ageist “messages” in the P-G’s divisive
marketing campaign. Many adult U.S. readers—of all ages—are hybrid readers who want the choice of information in both print and digital formats.
As evidence, take a look at some of the key findings from a Jan.
3-10, 2018 national survey of 2,002 U.S. adults, reported by the
well-respected, non-partisan Pew Research Center:
Despite some growth in certain digital formats, it remains the case that relatively few Americans consume digital books (which include audiobooks and e-books) to the exclusion of print. Some 39% of Americans say they read only print books, while 29% read in these digital formats and also read print books.
And the coup de grace
to the P-G’s graceless stereotyping:
Some demographic groups are more likely than others to be digital-only book readers, but in general this behavior is relatively rare across a wide range of demographics. For example, 10% of 18- to 29-year-olds only read books in digital formats, compared with 5% of those ages 50-64 and 4% of those 65 and older.
The P-G’s preening effort to digitally divide users borders on farce, given that P-G
writers and staff repeatedly concede the deplorable state of the newspaper’s
digital search and archival features.
The P-G’s tagline is “One
of America’s Great Newspapers”. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons,
that tagline is not supported by facts. So, here’s a “message” for P-G
ownership:
Hire some of the Pittsburgh region’s highly educated information professionals to help the P-G become a bona fide leader in print and digital content, search, and delivery. Give the Pittsburgh region a truly great newspaper that inclusively serves and respects all of its readers and residents.
James “Kip”
Currier
Mt. Lebanon
Post-Gazette Is Going Digital, At Least On Some Days, With An Ad Campaign That Is Raising Eyebrows; KDKA 2 CBS Pittsburgh, August 22, 2018
Jon Delano, KDKA 2 CBS Pittsburgh; Post-Gazette Is Going Digital, At Least On Some Days, With An Ad Campaign That Is Raising Eyebrows
"The PG has billboards up around town and television ads on-air, featuring those who say they will never go digital.
One TV advertisement: “PGe and PG NewsSlide, who the bleep needs them. Last time I went on line they tried to track my cookies. They’ll never get my cookie recipe.”
Another TV advertisement: “Now they’re telling me PG is going digital. They can stick their digital. I’m not doing that.”
“It’s a little insensitive to the readers who really are connected to print, who really depend on print,” said [Andrew] Conte [director of Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation].
Not true, says [Allan] Block [chairman of Block Communications that owns the PG]."
"The PG has billboards up around town and television ads on-air, featuring those who say they will never go digital.
One TV advertisement: “PGe and PG NewsSlide, who the bleep needs them. Last time I went on line they tried to track my cookies. They’ll never get my cookie recipe.”
Another TV advertisement: “Now they’re telling me PG is going digital. They can stick their digital. I’m not doing that.”
“It’s a little insensitive to the readers who really are connected to print, who really depend on print,” said [Andrew] Conte [director of Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation].
Not true, says [Allan] Block [chairman of Block Communications that owns the PG]."
How to honor John McCain’s memory; The Washington Post, August 31, 2018
Ken Burns, The Washington Post;
"[John McCain] realized we could learn from these stories. But, as with all stories, you have to be willing to listen. In a world where considering opposing views seems increasingly endangered, you can honor the memory of John McCain by stopping to hear the stories of others."
How to honor John McCain’s memory
"[John McCain] realized we could learn from these stories. But, as with all stories, you have to be willing to listen. In a world where considering opposing views seems increasingly endangered, you can honor the memory of John McCain by stopping to hear the stories of others."
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