Spark Newsletter: October 14, 2021

SAVE THE DATE: Algorithmically-Encoded Identities

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

November 17th & December 2nd
10:30-12:20 am (time may be subject to change)
Further details and registration coming soon!

On November 17th, 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 2nd 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.

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.

Pre-registration: Qualitative Coding in NVivo

Spark is organizing a practical, hands-on training in using NVivo for qualitative coding.  Led by Noelle Wyman-Roth of Duke University's Social Sciences Research Institute, this training is meant to serve as a bridge from beginner practices through to effective team coding, best practice node management, and the integration of inductive and deductive methods.  Get a sense of her teaching from great ModU YouTube videos.  To gauge interest and make some final decisions about timing and content, we'd like to hear from those interested. 

Pre-Register Here (no commitment)

The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship- Fall 2021 Workshop Series

Interested in digital scholarship? Want to see how computer programs can streamline your research, or perhaps you're on a quest to make data management as seamless as possible? The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship's Fall 2021 Workshop Series will help you to do all this and more. This semester's offerings are all free, virtual and many sessions are beginner friendly. 

The series includes 8 fantastic workshops. Topics include: best practices for data management, predatory publishing, and introductions to programs such as Git, LaTeX, OSF, Python, R, and SPSS. The first workshop "Intro to LaTeX" is happening on October 21st at 2:30-3:30PM. 

See the full Sherman Centre Series Lineup and Register 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. 

October 15th,  10:30- 11:20
Please note there will be no Spark Talk on October 15th, 2021- Happy Reading Break!

October 22nd,  10:30- 11:20
Spark Talks - Emotional Piano Project
Michael Schutz
Register here

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In case you missed it:

Spark Talks - Illuminating the future through an equity lens: Why emergent strategy and systems change efforts need to be grounded in decolonized futures thinking
Jen Heeg and Jewlya Lynn
Check it out here.

Spark Talks - Policymaking Gone Viral: Changing the Velocity of Information in Congress 
Annelise Russell
Check it out here:

Research guide - Qualitative Research at a Distance

This guide is a starting point for academic and non-academics to explore approaches to socially distanced but deeply engaged qualitative research methods. It aims to provide a practical foundation (in a concise and sharable format) for imaging what is possible during the current pandemic and beyond while offering suggestions for resources to learn more. 

Read the Guide

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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.
 

Advanced Research on Mental Health and Society (ARMS) Fall 2021 Symposium

Mental Health: Beyond the Vacuum 
Hosted by:  Advanced Research on Mental Health and Society & McMaster Institute for Health Equity 
Conference Date: October 18th 2021 at 8:45am - 5:30pm

For more information and to register visit: https://bit.ly/3jfpHwb

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Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging Seminar Series 

Genderacialised, labouring bodies in long-term care homes in a time of "woke"
Dr. Kim Lopez
October 19th 2021 at 2:30-3:30pm EST 

Register here: https://bit.ly/3F0sani

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HASTalks Seminar - Health, Aging and Society Department 

Acceleration, contestation, and interconnection: “Vaccine nationalism” through a global lens
Dr. Rachel Zhou
October 26th 2021 at 2:30-3:30pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/3mh9K9i

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MacDATA - Call for Graduate Fellowship 

The MacDATA Institute will provide support funding for one Graduate Fellow to work on an 8-month multidisciplinary project involving two or more faculties. 

Application deadline: Friday November 12th, 2021 at noon. 

For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, please visit: https://macdata.mcmaster.ca/call-for-fellows-macdata-graduate-fellowship-4/ 

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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.

A big kudos to Dawn Martin-Hill (Associate Professor, and a founder of the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster) and colleagues, who were featured on Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, and discussed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and what truth and reconciliation is all about.
Listen to the session from Sept 30th here: https://www.zoomerradio.ca/podcasts/fight-back-on-zoomer-radio-podcast/sept-30-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation

Anne-Marie Livingstone (Sociology Department) discusses the history and origins of the word "woke" in an article by La Presse titled "But what is woke after all?". Read the full article here: 
 
Kudos to Karen Balcom (Faculty of Humanities) and Ameil Joseph (Faculty of Social Work), who have been named academic co-leads of McMaster's Office of Community Engagement following the retirement of former academic Director, Sheila Sammon. 
Read the full McMaster Daily News Post here to learn about the co-leads and the Office of Community Engagement : https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/articles/faculty-members-in-humanities-and-social-sciences-named-academic-co-leads-for-office-of-community-engagement/
 

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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