Campus & Community

CCDS Plans Un-Conference on Democracy, Digital Media, Decision Making, Data Analytics

Wednesday, August 15, 2018, By J.D. Ross

The Center for Computational and Data Science (CCDS) at the School of Information Studies (iSchool) will host the Syracuse University Research Un-Conference in September.

The purpose of the Un-Conference is to bring together faculty from the Syracuse University community in a space that allows for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and creativity around the themes of this year’s event, Democracy, Digital Media, Decision Making and Data Analytics.

“Our primary goal for the Un-Conference is for individuals to make connections and formulate plans for collaboration around research and teaching,” explains Alexandra Sargent, project manager at CCDS and one of conference organizers. “CCDS was motivated to organize this event following productive discussions around big idea initiatives that led to ‘Cuse Grants.”

“We have attempted to invite a diverse group of faculty who represent different disciplines, methodologies and ontologies,” says Jennifer Stromer-Galley, iSchool professor and CCDS director. “We want to get people talking who do not normally get such chances.”

An Un-Conference is a participant-driven event, where the agenda is set by those who attend. The Un-Conference format creates space for networking, conversation, and brainstorming in a more informal setting than a typical conference. Participants are encouraged to participate in many different sessions, as well as lead a session focused on one of the event’s themes or question they’d like to discuss.

The Syracuse University Research Un-Conference will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, and Saturday, Sept. 15, at the iSchool in Hinds Hall.

The event begins on Friday evening with drinks and appetizers as the group gets acquainted and then proposes sessions and prepares for the following day’s event. Saturday will be a full day, beginning with a hearty breakfast, and includes a number of break-out sessions that are of interest to participants. Lunch will be provided, and the conference will conclude with dinner at the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center.

Academics interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP online. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Stromer-Galley (jstromer@syr.edu) or Alexandra Sargent (asargent@syr.edu).