From jhuns at vt.edu Tue Aug 19 13:17:44 2014 From: jhuns at vt.edu (jeremy hunsinger) Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 13:17:44 -0400 Subject: [Sig-bwp] cfp: Closed Systems / Open Worlds ( extended deadline: Sept. 15, 2014) Message-ID: <346A8D4F-1696-45CD-8E19-563F8A3D5D7A@vt.edu> Apologies for x-posting-jh Closed Systems / Open Worlds ( extended deadline: Sept. 15, 2014) Contact: ClosedandOpenBook at gmail.com Deadline for pr?cis: 15 September 2014 Edited by: Jeremy Hunsinger (Wilfrid Laurier University), Jason Nolan (Ryerson University) & Melanie McBride (York University) This book will consist of explorations at the boundaries of virtual worlds as enclosed but encouraging spaces for exploration, learning, and enculturation. Game/worlds like Second Life, OpenSim, Minecraft, and Cloud Party are providing spaces for the construction of alternatives and reimaginings, though frequently they end up more as reproductions. We seek to challenge those spaces and their creativities and imaginings. These worlds exist as both code and conduct. Code is a modulating multiple signifier, in that the interpreters of the code vary from human to machine and that our understanding of the signifier changes the worldliness in itself. The conduct of both participants and administrators of these spaces influences how they flourish and then fade. As such the worlds and their anima/animus are socially constructed fictions where authors/creators/users, both above and below the actions are sometimes in concert, yet often in conflict with the space and intentions of the originators. This book seeks critically engaged scholars who want to risk the possibility of change in the face of closed systems. We are looking for critical or speculative essays that must be theoretically, empirically and/or contextually grounded chapters of 5000-6500 words plus apparatus. Doctoral students and non-tenure faculty members will be afforded blind peer review upon request. We are aiming for 12 -14 chapters that define the boundaries and thus likely futures of research on virtual worlds. Dates Sept. 15, 2014 ? 250 word pr?cis with 5-10 key references Sept. 30, 2014 ? accept/reject proposals Feb 1, 2015 ? final draft due July 1, 2015 ? feedback from reviewers September 1, 2015 ? final version December 1, 2015 ? in press Queries and submissions: ClosedandOpenBook at gmail.com Topics may include: ? alternative and minor game/virtual/etc. worlds ? archeologies/genealogies of virtuality ? augmented and mixed-reality worlds ? distributed cognitions ? early explorations in virtual learning environments ? the freedom of limitations ? identity construction and/or identity tourism ? the limits of simulation and emulation ? memories and forgetting in virtual worlds ? multisensory virtual environments ? multisensory exclusions in virtual worlds ? narratival and post-narratival andragogies, ?learning worlds? ? negative spaces as learning spaces (bullying, trolling, flaming, etc.) in virtual worlds ? non-social virtual worlds (dwarf fortress, some forms of minecraft, etc.) ? real world virtual worlds and boundaries (Lego, Hello Kitty, WebKinz, etc.) ? replication of real world environments/problems ? surrealism, unrealism and constructable alterities of/within virtual worlds ? transformative virtual classroom ? vapourware and virtuality ? the virtuality of learning jeremy hunsinger Communication Studies Wilfrid Laurier University Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Virginia Tech () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.aoir.org The Association of Internet Researchers http://www.stswiki.org/ stswiki http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series From rhill at asis.org Wed Aug 27 09:54:40 2014 From: rhill at asis.org (Richard Hill) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 09:54:40 -0400 Subject: [Sig-bwp] 2014 ASIS&T Annual Meeting now open Message-ID: <381-220148327135440500@LEN-dick-2011> ASIST 2014 Annual Meeting See http://www.asis.org/asist2014/ for full information and to register October 31-November 5, 2014, Seattle, WA Come to Seattle for the 77th ASIS&T Annual Meeting. The theme for this year?s conference is Connecting Collections, Cultures, and Communities - we chose this theme to celebrate the breadth of information science, its historical roots, its user-centeredness, and its unique aim of bringing people together around ideas, thoughts, and the exchange of information and knowledge. The program includes 42 papers, 26 panels, 102 posters, 12 workshops, and many opportunities for socializing at receptions. All in all this conference is packed with intellectually stimulating sessions, lots of opportunities to network and meet new people, and engage in the health and well-being of this wonderful association. We are delighted to present two excellent and accomplished keynote speakers: Kris M. Kutchera is Vice President, Information Technology for the Alaska Air Group Alessandro Acquisti is Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University Richard Hill Executive Director Association for Information Science and Technology 1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 510 Silver Spring, MD 20910 FAX: (301) 495-0810 (301) 495-0900