New Directions In Technology: A Panel Discussion With Local Researchers.
As part of the 2015 theme Re-Imagining the Internet, UNB’s Andrews Initiative is pleased to announce a dialogue with three researchers from the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University on ‘New Directions in Technology’. The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in the Wu Conference Centre, 6 Duffie Drive, and will begin at 7:30PM. Speakers will include Dr. Lucia O’Sullivan from the UNB department of Psychology, Dr. Kelly Bronson of St. Thomas University’s Science, Technology, and Society Studies program, and Nathan Thompson, a PhD Candidate in UNB’s department of Sociology.
Dr. Lucia O’Sullivan’s research has examined the online lives and sexuality of teenagers and young adults. Recently, she has been using the Internet to facilitate research in a variety of ways, including recruitment of participants, the use of diary and daily studies to gather information, and social media to share findings broadly and engage in dialogue about her research.
Dr. Kelly Bronson’s current research examines the use of big data in agricultural research. She studies the ethical and epistemological consequences that often get overlooked in the enthusiasm for new technologies. Her previous work on biotechnologies and new work on big data reveals the negative consequences of debating public policies and representing aspects of society through quantifiable data alone.
Nathan Thompson is a PhD candidate in Sociology and part-time instructor at Renaissance College. His research examines the potential for new media to inspire social action and social change. Currently, he is using participatory action research with LGBTQ youth and young adults to create a videogame that responds to issues of marginalization. His past research projects have looked at the potential for social media to educate about social inequality and geo-social networking applications on smartphones and their relationship to gender.
The three researchers will share their experiences, followed by a moderated question and answer period. This is a free public event, and everyone is invited to attend. An informal reception will be held following the panel discussion.
The Andrews Initiative was created by UNB president emeritus John McLaughlin, and launched in 2011. We offer quality learning opportunities in contemporary topics for the 21st century. For more information, visit: http://www.unb.ca/initiatives/andrews.
