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Spark: a centre for social research innovation

Faculty of Social Sciences

Spark Connections: November 11, 2021

Read our bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University. In this newsletter, we highlight centre news, upcoming events, and updated resources for researchers. To subscribe to our mailing list, please email talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.

Nov 11, 2021

Spots still available: Algorithmically-Encoded Identities 

Join us for a free virtual workshop with members of Google's Ethical AI team. 

November 19th 2021 & December 3rd 2021
10:30 am -12:00 pm EST.  

On November 19th, Alex, Dylan and Emily will give an introductory talk discussing the ways in which classification is an infrastructure and technology of power.  Considering the fundamental role of classification in AI, they explore the implications for embedded social inequality. 

December 3rd will be our turn. As participants, we will engage in three exercises that interrogate existing classification practices.  These scenarios will help us relate to creating, navigating, and reflecting on the use of classification systems in public life.

Because the December 3rd session is virtually 'hands-on' we will be limiting the number of participants, approving registration requests as they come in, with priority to McMaster faculty, staff and students.

Presenters:
Alex Hanna is a sociologist and senior research scientist working on the Ethical AI team at Google. Before that, she was an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at the University of Toronto.
 
Dylan Baker is a software engineer on the Ethical AI team at Google, focusing on the ethics of human computation and data labeling in machine learning infrastructure.
 
Emily Denton is a research scientist on the Ethical AI team at Google. Prior to joining Google, Emily received their PhD in computer science from NYU.
Register for the Nov 19th Intro talk here
Register for the Dec 3rd workshop here

Spots still available: Algorithmically-Encoded Identities 

Join us for a free virtual workshop with members of Google's Ethical AI team. 

November 19th 2021 & December 3rd 2021
10:30 am -12:00 pm EST.  

On November 19th, Alex, Dylan and Emily will give an introductory talk discussing the ways in which classification is an infrastructure and technology of power.  Considering the fundamental role of classification in AI, they explore the implications for embedded social inequality. 

December 3rd will be our turn. As participants, we will engage in three exercises that interrogate existing classification practices.  These scenarios will help us relate to creating, navigating, and reflecting on the use of classification systems in public life.

Because the December 3rd session is virtually 'hands-on' we will be limiting the number of participants, approving registration requests as they come in, with priority to McMaster faculty, staff and students.

Presenters:
Alex Hanna is a sociologist and senior research scientist working on the Ethical AI team at Google. Before that, she was an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at the University of Toronto.
 
Dylan Baker is a software engineer on the Ethical AI team at Google, focusing on the ethics of human computation and data labeling in machine learning infrastructure.
 
Emily Denton is a research scientist on the Ethical AI team at Google. Prior to joining Google, Emily received their PhD in computer science from NYU.
Register for the Nov 19th Intro talk here
Register for the Dec 3rd workshop here

Join Spark on Fridays at 10:30-11:20am for a weekly "Spark Talk" focused on methods and tools of social research. Spark Talks features an innovative speaker and encourages unexpected and inter-disciplinary connections between researchers, including faculty and graduate students. Learn more about upcoming Spark events at spark.mcmaster.ca/events

November 12th,  10:30- 11:20
Getting started with computational social research
Dr. Sarah Shugars
Register here

November 19th,  10:30- 12:00
Algorithmically Encoded Identities 
Google Ethical AI Team - Alex Hanna, Dylan Baker and Emily Denton. 
Register here

November 26th,  10:30- 11:20
A text-as-data approach for using open-ended responses as manipulation checks
Jeffrey Ziegler
Register here

 

In case you missed it:


Systematic social observation of civil society
Dr. Matthew Baggetta
Check it out here:

Transparency and positionality in qualitative team coding
Dr. Victoria Reyes
Check it out here:

Looking to pool software licences?

Now you can! Fill out this form and we will reach out if we can match you with others looking to pool licences.

We are also attempting a pilot in fall term allowing for virtual desktop access to several licenses for major Qualitative Data Analysis software, and will be seeking volunteers to test out the viability of this option.  FSS faculty, please email talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca if you're interested in participating.  

 

Research Conversations

We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to all McMaster researchers (students, staff and faculty) on every social research topic imaginable.  If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.   


Request a research consultation at https://forms.gle/7FciqxCtK5fN6AD97
 

Qualtrics Licences

If you are an FSS researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Gn2KvYgdebjo8d2W8.

 

Brighter Spark Applied Research

Spark offers custom research and evaluation, as well as highly skilled assistance in implementing virtually any social research method. Our cost-recovery services include methods and software training, custom research, state-of-the-art facilities, and taking on elements of your project to support its completion.


For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/brighter-spark
Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to be showcased in our following newsletter.
 

Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging / Health Aging and Society Co-Sponsored Seminar 

"Unpacking the complexity of public preferences for and beliefs about dying at home in Canada"
Dr. Laura Funk
November 16th 2021 at 2:30-3:30pm EST 

Register here: https://bit.ly/3mfXYNs

Equity and Inclusion Office - Webinar Series 

Blueprints for change: Men's Mental Health and Vulnerability 
Brian MacAulay 
November 23rd 2021 at 12:30pm EST 

Blueprints for change is a webinar series on practicing healthy masculinity for men at McMaster. Participation is anonymous and all are welcome.  

Register here

Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship Workshop

"Predatory Publishing in the Era of Open Knowledge: Reducing the Risks of Falling Prey"
November 24th 2021 at 11am - 12pm EST 

This session will provide an overview of what predatory journals are and tips on how to avoid them. It will also include suggestions on how to avoid predatory conferences. 

Register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3640882
See the full Sherman Centre Series Lineup here

Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy Conference

The Department of Political Science at McMaster, in conjunction with the Canadian Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization, Institute for Globalization and the Human Condition, and the School of Earth, Environment and Society are excited to present "Mapping the global dimension of policy 11- Multiple crises: Recovery, reform, transformation. This conference brings together graduate students whose research speaks to the questions raised in the fields of globalization and policy studies.

Conference dates: March 11-12th 2022.
Deadline for proposals: November 26th 2021

For full conference details visit: https://bit.ly/3qiJ1N3

Job Opening at McMaster - Social Psychology (Tenure-Track Faculty Position)

The Social Psychology Program at McMaster University, in partnership with the Department of Health, Aging & Society, invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (in exceptional circumstances) to begin July 1, 2022.

For full details about the position and how to apply please visit: University Affairs 
In this new section, we want to celebrate the achievements of colleagues, friends, and those doing important social research with the potential to spark a brighter world.  We welcome recommendations for kudos features (including for yourself).  Please send them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.

Congrats
 
 to Judy Fudge (School of Labour Studies) for a feature in the Financial Post Article "Tim Hortons expects labour shortage to ease as feds roll up aid for workers" 
Read the full article here:

Congratulations
 
 Calvin Prowse (Social Work Student) who received the prestigious Hilary M. Weston Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to graduate Social Work students in recognition for outstanding work and contributions to the field of mental heath. 
Read about Calvin's research and the scholarship here:

A big kudos to Stephanie Ross (School of Labour Studies), Larry Savage and colleagues for the second edition of "Rethinking the Politics of Labour". The book features both new and revised essays by emerging and established scholars across a wide range of disciplines. Get your copy here:

You ROCK Maddie Brockband (PhD Student). Congrats on receiving a 2021 Women Who Rock Award. View all the award recipients here: https://women-who-rock.ca/ 
Spark: a centre for social research innovation

Website: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/
Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spark-a-centre-for-social-research-innovation/about/  
Email: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca
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