Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics

Please see the Call for Papers below to the
17th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics to be held in Orlando, Florida on July 9th-15th, 2013.

Proposals are due by November 16th, 2012.
For more information, see the website:
http://www.iiis-summer13.org/wmsci/

From the website:

What is WMSCI 2013?
WMSCI 2013 is an international forum for scientists and engineers, researchers and consultants, theoreticians and practitioners in the fields of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics. The forum focuses into specific disciplinary research, and also in multi, inter, and trans-disciplinary studies and projects. One of its aims is to relate disciplines, fostering analogical thinking and, hence, producing input to the logical thinking.

The purpose of WMSCI 2013 is to promote discussions and interactions between researchers and practitioners focused on disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary issues, ideas, concepts, theories, methodologies and applications. We are particularly interested in fostering the exchange of concepts, prototypes, research ideas, and other results which could contribute to the academic arena and also benefit business, and the industrial community.

http://www.iiis-summer13.org/wmsci/

Conference’s Major Themes
Information Systems, Technologies and Applications.
Ethics, Cybernetics and Informatics
Free/Open Source Software, Technologies and Content
Optical Systems, Technologies and Applications
Human Information Systems
Computer Science and Engineering
Communication and Network Systems, Technologies and Applications
Control Systems, Technologies and Applications
Image, Acoustic, Speech and Signal Processing
Applications of Informatics and Cybernetics in Science and Engineering (MEI 2013) Systemics
Concepts, Principles, Methodologies and Applications of Cybernetics

Safe-Space Training

Please see the note below from Cheryl Gonzalez, Director for Equal Opportunity and Diversity at UNF.
This training opportunity is open to all faculty

The LGBT Resource Center is partnering with the Center for Professional Development and Training to offer a course open to all faculty and staff, "Creating Safe Spaces for Students, Faculty and Staff." The next available training opportunity for this fall will be from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6. All interested employees can register by logging into myWings and clicking on "CPDT Class Register." From there select "Creating Safe Spaces" training course to register. 

Community Partnerships and Health Disparities Conference

See the announcement below from Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH). CCPH is a multidisciplinary organization focused on community health in the broadest sense. The conference below will be of interest to faculty who conduct research on community engagement, social justice, race, community health, and policies that affect local communities.

Applications are due October 12, 2012 for the 2nd National Community Partner Forum on Community-Engaged Health Disparities Research, December 5-7, 2012 in Washington DC. 
Click here for the Call for Applications.


The 2nd National Community Partner Forum seeks to advance community-engaged research as a tool for eliminating health disparities by:
1. Deepening the knowledge and skills needed by community partners to successfully conduct community-engaged research, negotiate community-academic research partnerships and serve in national leadership roles;
2. Disseminating innovative work of community partners that others can learn from and build on;
3. Engaging in constructive dialogue between community partners and key stakeholders in academic, government and philanthropic sectors to foster mutual understanding and supportive action; and
4. Growing and deepening a national network of community partners that facilitates professional development and has a significant voice in decisions about research practice and policy.

Call for Proposals, Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs)

Please see the call for proposals from the Undergraduate Studies office at UNF.

2013-2014 Transformational Learning Opportunity Applications

Central to the University's core mission is the ability to provide students with educational learning opportunities that will be rich and transformative. Full-time, non-visiting faculty and staff are encouraged to submit applications for an eighth round of Transformational Learning Opportunity (TLO) projects for fiscal year 2013-2014, July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. To obtain the application, click here. Before completing the TLO application, review the TLO Application Guide for completion instructions.

Applications from all categories are welcome, but special consideration will be given to proposals that align with the following designations that speak to UNF and the State University System Board of Governors' strategic goals: undergraduate research, community-based learning and global awareness experiences. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18. Submit both a hardcopy and electronic copy for undergraduate and graduate TLOs to Martina Perry, academic support services coordinator in Undergraduate Studies, at martina.perry@unf.edu and in Building 1, Daniel Hall, Undergraduate Studies, Room 1501.

Contact: Martina Perry at martina.perry@unf.edu or (904) 620-2607

Website: http://www.unf.edu/tlo/

Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs) Workshop

Designing Successful Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs)

Friday, September 21, 2012, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Social Sciences Building (51), Room 1205
Register for this event by emailing drichard@unf.edu

Faculty and staff interested in applying for Transformational Learning Opportunity (TLO) funds are invited to attend the TLO workshop titled, "Designing Successful Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs)." This session will provide an overview of the TLO concept, some examples of past successful TLOs and guidelines for applying for financial support. A faculty and staff panel will engage in a question and answer period as part of the workshop.

Register drichard@unf.edu

Student Success and Quality Conference

Please see the information below for an upcoming American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) conference on student learning.


Student Success and The Quality Agenda
Conference Dates: April 4-6, 2013
Conference Location: Miami, Florida

Student Success and The Quality Agenda will examine the most important but least discussed component of the completion agenda—quality in student learning. This conference will encourage participants to discuss the new contexts for student learning given the diversity of today’s students, including their differing backgrounds, learning styles, and pathways to and through college. Participants will investigate the latest research on high-impact practices and teaching, student service, and assessment strategies that strengthen the quality of student learning and close student achievement gaps. Conference sessions will provide an opportunity to examine different approaches to faculty and student services leadership development and to campus and cross-institutional collaborations linked to a quality agenda.

Please join colleagues from across the country to share and examine promising practices in linking completion with quality and assuring optimal learning environments for the success of all students.     

Learn more about this conference and register online.
For more information, please call 202.387.3760, or write to Siah Annand at network@aacu.org. 

Do you Spin Your Research Outcomes?

Do you spin your research results? Often times we see news reports on scientific research and wonder if the claims made by the reporter are overblown, overstated, or just plain wrong. The results are conflicting reports and contradictory findings. Although scientists are supposed to have a healthy appreciation of  uncertainty within study results, and reporters are known for their bravado, a recent research article in PLOS Medicine suggests that "spin" in press coverage of scientific research is matched by "spin" in the original reports written by scientists. Paul Baskin, in a recent Chronicle article, discusses the study and encourages comments by the scientific community. It seems that consumers of research still need to beware of exaggerated claims, both from the media and from scientists.

To read the original article, visit the following website.
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001308

To read the commentary or participate in the discussion, visit the following Chronicle article online.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/percolator/scientists-often-responsible-for-spin-of-their-results-researcher-finds/30872