Spark Connections: November 25, 2021

Part 2-  Algorithmically-Encoded Identities 

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

December 3rd 2021
10:30 am -12:00 pm EST.  

On November 19th, Alex, Dylan and Emily provided an introductory talk and discussed the ways in which classification is an infrastructure and technology of power.  Considering the fundamental role of classification in AI, they explored the implications for embedded social inequality. Thank you to everyone who attended the first of 2-sessions hosted by Google's Ethical AI Team. 

The second session will happen on December 3rd.  As participants, attendees 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. There are still spots to register!

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

December 3rd,  10:30- 12:00pm ET
Algorithmically Encoded Identities Part 2 - Workshop
Google Ethical AI Team - Alex Hanna, Dylan Baker and Emily Denton. 
Register here

December 10th,  10:30- 11:20 am ET
Word Embeddings for Social Science
Dong Nguyen 
Register here

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In case you missed it:

Algorithmically Encoded Identities Part 1 - Introduction
Google Ethical AI Team - Alex Hannah, Dylan Baker and Emily Denton
Check it out here:

Getting started with computational social research
Dr. Sarah Shugars
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.  

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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.

Student admissions OPEN for 2022-2023 MPP-DS Program

The Master of Public Policy in a Digital Society is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 offering (starting May 2022). MPP-DS is a 12-month professional graduate program that trains future policy leaders to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape by bridging public policy thinking with technical expertise.  

Application Deadline: February 24th, 2022
For more information and to apply visit: https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/master-of-public-policy 

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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.
Extended deadline for abstract submissions: December 10th 2021

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

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Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship Workshop

"Intro to SPSS"
December 2nd  2021 at 1:30-3:30pm EST 

This beginner-level workshop will introduce attendees to the basics of SPSS statistical software, describe how it works and provide some basic descriptive statistics and statistical procedures. No prior knowledge of SPSS is required. 

Register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3640883
See the full Sherman Centre Series Lineup here

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Job Opening at McMaster - Jointly held between Department of Political Science and Master of Public Policy in Digital Society (Tenure-Track Position)

McMaster Faculty of Social Science invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor (or Associate in case of an exceptional candidate) jointly appointed by the Department of Political Science and new Master of Public Policy in Digital Society Department to begin July 1st 2022. Applicants must have expertise in public law and digital governance. 

Deadline to Apply: December 6th, 2021
For full details about the position and how to apply please visit Working at McMaster. 

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 Channah Fonseca Becar (PhD Candidate, Religious Studies) for the analysis article in The Conversation titled "Oh Creator, it's you I now renounce' - How death metal lyrics echo some Bible passages, and what it means"
Read the full article in The Conversation here

A big kudos to Ameil Joseph (Social Work) who weighed in on the significance of an iElect survey in the Global News Article titled "Survey suggests Hamiltonians dissatisfied with leadership, content with neighbourhood"
Read the full article here

Congratulations Stephanie Premji (School of Labour Studies) for the feature in the Toronto Star article about minimum wage and the discussion around how low wages are only one dimension of precarious work.
Read the full article "Cold, hard and vicious: this is life on Ontario's minimum wage - and what the evidence reveals about its impact" here

Shout- out to Katherine Boothe (Political Science) and Nicole Fiorillo (Political Science Grad) for their analysis article featured in the Conversation titled "Public Acceptance of sin taxes on sugar or fat not dependent on evidence" Read the full article here

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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