Good morning all, Meta, thanks for starting this conversation, and please accept my condolences on the death of your friend. It occurs to me that there are critical information needs here that might present opportunities for collaboration. I want to offer some suggestions and resources that I would be happy to discuss in greater depth if there is interest. By way of introduction, my work involves creating curricular frameworks for collaborations between journalism, media and computer science students. I'm currently co-PI for a National Science Foundation - supported project testing the hypothesis that students will become more effective computational thinkers and collaborators given the opportunity to work across disciplinary lines with a community partner on a real-worldproblem. As proof of concept, we are building a software system designed to provide comprehensive, accessible information about brownfields in and around Trenton, New Jersey. This is important for developers of affordable housing and community gardens, as well as those concerned with the underreported issue of environmental justice. We have funding to provide workshops on our model, and stipends to support faculty interested in similar collaborations. For example, a number of people are working on documenting the actual number of police involved killings, because the government does not systematically collect this information. A national repository that synthesizes and cross-checks this data would be helpful. Conversely, a database highlighting the impact of reform efforts might also be helpful. Without sustained attention, the recommendations of the DOJ and other bodies might just gather dust. We might also think about this as an opportunity for collaborating with our students to highlight the welter of issues related to the circumstances surrounding these incidents that need sustained community attention and engagement. For example, we rarely see coverage on research about public health approaches to violence. We might also consider innovative approaches to community engagement. In addition to in person and online forums, alternate reality games might be a platform for collaborative discussion and problem -solving. As I said earlier, we have some resources to help faculty initiate such collaborations, and I have come to know a number of computer science educators who might be interested in participating in such collaborations. More background is available at my website http://kimpearson.net, and our research site, http://tardis.tcnj.edu/cabect. Cordially, Kim Pearson The College of New Jersey @professorkim Kimpearson.net Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S® 5 -------- Original message -------- From: LILLIE FEARS <[log in to unmask]> Date:03/03/2015 11:12 PM (GMT-05:00) To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Some random thoughts Hi Meta, and All, I think that you (Meta) bring up some very timely issues. Two weeks ago, I hosted a panel discussion on my campus. It was titled "All Life Matters." We set up enough chairs for 100 people, and the students really showed up. That suggested to me that they want to talk and have a voice. I mean I have even thought about hosting more public forums on other issues, perhaps once each month. So, again, I agree that students today want to talk about social justice and other issues, and could use some help in organizing events that will assist them in making a difference. Let's keep this conversation going. -- Lillie Lillie Mae Fears, PhD Professor of Multimedia Journalism College of Media and Communication Arkansas State University POB 1930 State University, AR 72467 870.972.3210 (office/message) ________________________________________ From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carstarphen, Meta G. [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 9:41 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Some random thoughts Dear MACers: Hope all is well and that everyone is surviving the winter weather that seems without ending. I have wondered for a while how we as a group might have a conversation about the ways we can engage our students and the academy in social justice issues. We do this, I know in our lectures, our writings, our research. James has shared with us a wonderful example of he is working with students. I know there are others. But we may be so isolated in our work that we don't take the time to share and connect. I am as guilty as anyone of this. Since the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin, I have seen a new determination in our students of color and others to be a voice for change. On my campus I joined with other colleagues to host a forum on this and again after the Michael Brown incident. But it is one thing to be part of a national conversation and something else to have it hit close to home. On February 14, 2014, a family friend name Luis Rodriguez was killed in a senseless encounter with police in Moore OK. I won't take up your time with details--there is plenty of information out there on this case as we continue to press for justice. Last month, his wife (she refuses to claim the title widow) organized a rally to observe the one year anniversary of his death. I have intentionally been in somewhat of a hibernation. I'm thinking a lot about how the work we do can connect with the communities we serve, and how the academy can do better. This was a driving reason why I agreed to run for office with AEJMC this year. But I wonder if other MACers see any value in shaping a sustained conversation about social justice issues and the role of the media and mass communication in ways that might impact communities? Perhaps the work is already being done and we need to talk about what we are doing more. Thanks James, Lillie, Anita, Sharon,Federico and so many more of you than I can name right now for inspiring me with what you do. Let's continue to encourage each other. Thanks for letting me intrude with these thoughts. Chao, Meta Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D., APR Professor Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication 2005-2012 Gaylord Endowed Professor University of Oklahoma ** 395 W. Lindsey Blvd-Room 3120B Norman, OK 73019--PH: (405) 325-5227 * FX: (405) 325-7565 **FACEBOOK: DrMeta G Carstarphen **TWITTER: @DrMCar **LINKEDIN: Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D., APR Latest books: http://bit.ly/1vGlDmp // http://bit.ly/1y6NJgg