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Re: [change] UW Change Seminar Tuesday, Feb 5: Cliff Schmidt, Amplio Network
by Philip Garrison 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

Reminder: the Change seminar will meet tomorrow in CSE 203, with a talk by Cliff Schmidt. *Title:* Audio and Analytics: Strengthening Health Knowledge and Outcomes in Remote Communities *Abstract: *In the most isolated and remote communities in Ghana and Kenya, citizens face challenges in accessing credible, consistent information about their health, well-being, and rights. Low literacy combined with poor infrastructure, low nurse-patient ratios, and limited access to mainstream media are barriers to the development of thriving and resilient communities. To address these development challenges, Amplio Network’s partners in Ghana and Kenya leverage the Talking Book, a rugged, hand-held, battery-powered audio device, which provides on-demand access to information for people who can't read. Our partners use Talking Books to deliver targeted, behavior change messaging in the form of interviews, songs, and dramas in local languages and dialects, to inform, educate, and prompt rural communities to practice and adopt key behaviors to reduce poverty, generate demand for essential services, and improve community health and protection outcomes. A recent randomized control trial co-designed by UNICEF Ghana found that people with access to health messages on Talking Books were 50% more likely to use bed nets and 50% more likely to wash their hands with soap. On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 4:18 PM Philip Garrison <philipmg(a)cs.washington.edu> wrote: > Please join us for Change next Tuesday (Feb 5) at noon in CSE 203. > > *Who:* Cliff Schmidt, of Amplio <https://www.amplio-network.org/> > *When:* Tuesday, Feb 5, 12-1pm > *Where:* CSE 203 > > Cliff will speak about his time running Amplio Network (formerly Literacy > Bridge), a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that uses its Talking Book > audio device to help global partners amplify and widen their impact. Topics > may include: the Talking Book technology, the business model, evaluation > approaches, and/or partnerships. > > *Bio* > Cliff founded Amplio Network (formerly named Literacy Bridge) in 2007 to > address global poverty and disease by making practical agriculture and > health knowledge accessible to those who need it most. He led the > development of an audio-based mobile device called the “Talking Book” for > people with minimal literacy skills living in rural areas without > electricity or Internet access. Cliff received the Microsoft alumni > Integral Fellow Award presented by Bill and Melinda Gates twice (in 2010 > and 2014) and was selected as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative by > President Bill Clinton. He received the top prize at the Tech Awards in > 2012 and Computerworld Honors in 2013 and was featured by the PBS Newshour > as one of five Agents for Social Change in 2013. > > Prior to starting Amplio Network, Cliff was a software developer for > Microsoft and a nuclear engineering officer for the U.S. Navy Submarine > Force. Cliff holds a B.S. in cognitive science from MIT and an M.S. in > computer science and engineering from the University of Washington. Cliff > loves music and playing tenor saxophone. > _______________________________________________ > change mailing list > change(a)change.washington.edu > https://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >

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UW Change Seminar Tuesday, Feb 5: Cliff Schmidt, Amplio Network
by Philip Garrison 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

Please join us for Change next Tuesday (Feb 5) at noon in CSE 203. *Who:* Cliff Schmidt, of Amplio <https://www.amplio-network.org/> *When:* Tuesday, Feb 5, 12-1pm *Where:* CSE 203 Cliff will speak about his time running Amplio Network (formerly Literacy Bridge), a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that uses its Talking Book audio device to help global partners amplify and widen their impact. Topics may include: the Talking Book technology, the business model, evaluation approaches, and/or partnerships. *Bio* Cliff founded Amplio Network (formerly named Literacy Bridge) in 2007 to address global poverty and disease by making practical agriculture and health knowledge accessible to those who need it most. He led the development of an audio-based mobile device called the “Talking Book” for people with minimal literacy skills living in rural areas without electricity or Internet access. Cliff received the Microsoft alumni Integral Fellow Award presented by Bill and Melinda Gates twice (in 2010 and 2014) and was selected as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative by President Bill Clinton. He received the top prize at the Tech Awards in 2012 and Computerworld Honors in 2013 and was featured by the PBS Newshour as one of five Agents for Social Change in 2013. Prior to starting Amplio Network, Cliff was a software developer for Microsoft and a nuclear engineering officer for the U.S. Navy Submarine Force. Cliff holds a B.S. in cognitive science from MIT and an M.S. in computer science and engineering from the University of Washington. Cliff loves music and playing tenor saxophone.

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UW Change Seminar Jan 29: Cancelled
by Philip Garrison 24 Jan '19

24 Jan '19

There will be no Change talk next week. Look forward to the following week's talk (Feb 5) by Cliff Schmidt of Amplio <https://www.amplio-network.org/> -Philip

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Deadline Extended: CFP LIMITS 2019 - Fifth Workshop on Computing within LIMITS
by Kurtis Heimerl 22 Jan '19

22 Jan '19

Call for Papers -------------------- LIMITS 2019 Fifth Workshop on Computing within LIMITS June 10-11, 2018 Lappeenranta, Finland http://computingwithinlimits.org/2019/ The ACM LIMITS workshop aims to foster discussion on the impact of present and future ecological, material, energetic, and societal limits on computing. These topics are seldom discussed in contemporary computing research. A key aim of the workshop is to promote innovative, concrete research, potentially of an interdisciplinary nature, that focuses on technologies, critiques, techniques, and contexts for computing within fundamental economic and ecological limits. A longer-term goal is to build a community around relevant topics and research. We hope to impact society through the design and development of computing systems in the abundant present for use in a future of limits. A recent article in the Communications of the ACM provides a good primer on Computing within Limits. This year we are co-locating with ICT4S in Europe. Abstract registration deadline: Feb 15, 2019, 11:59pm Pacific Time Paper submission deadline: Feb 22, 2019, 11:59pm Pacific Time Paper reviews available: March 28, 2019 Submissions: https://limits19.hotcrp.com Jay Chen, NYU Abu Dhabi, jchen(a)cs.nyu.edu, Workshop Co-Chair Oliver Bates, Lancaster University, o.bates(a)lancaster.ac.uk, Workshop Co-Chair For more information, please visit: http://computingwithinlimits.org/2019/ -- Public Key: https://flowcrypt.com/pub/kheimerl@cs.washington.edu

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Re: [change] UW Change Seminar Tuesday, Jan 22: Sara Vannini, Visual methodologies in participatory ICT4D
by Philip Garrison 21 Jan '19

21 Jan '19

See you all tomorrow, and enjoy the day off! -Philip On Wed, Jan 16, 2019 at 9:11 PM Philip Garrison <philipmg(a)cs.washington.edu> wrote: > Please join us for Change next Tuesday (Jan 22) at noon in *CSE 203*. > > *Who:* Sara Vannini, UW Communication & Integrated Social Sciences > *What:* Visual methodologies in participatory ICT4D > *When:* Tuesday, Jan 22, 12-1pm > *Where:* CSE 203 > > > > *Abstract:* > > In this talk, Sara Vannini will present the reflections from a published > article with colleagues Caitlin Bentley (Nanyang Technological University) > and David Nemer (University of Kentucky), which analyzes the use of visual > methodologies in participatory research in ICT4D. While new methods are > needed to shed light on unique and integrative concepts of ICT across > cultures, this presentation explores the use of visual methods to > facilitate critical engagement with ICT—defined as situational awareness, > reflexive ICT practice and power and control over ICT. This definition of > critical ICT engagement is informed by a cultural identity lens, and > intends to improve participatory methods in ICT for Development (ICT4D) and > community technology design and application. Three case studies will be > presented, each employing visual methods to shed light on concepts and > practices of ICT cross-culturally. The presentation aims to offer a way for > researchers and practitioners to engage with cultural issues in > community-based research and design using visual methodologies. > > > *Bio:* > > Sara Vannini is a Lecturer at the Department of Communication and at the > Integrated Social Sciences program at UW. Sara’s research is in the field > of Information and Communication Technologies for Development, focusing in > particular on issues of Public Access to ICTs, social appropriation of > technologies, information and migration, and participatory and visual > methodologies of inquiry. Sara holds a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences from > the University of Lugano, Switzerland, and an M.A. in Latin American > Literatures from Bologna University, Italy. > > See more at: http://www.saravannini.com > _______________________________________________ > change mailing list > change(a)change.washington.edu > https://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >

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UW Change Seminar Tuesday, Jan 22: Sara Vannini, Visual methodologies in participatory ICT4D
by Philip Garrison 16 Jan '19

16 Jan '19

Please join us for Change next Tuesday (Jan 22) at noon in *CSE 203*. *Who:* Sara Vannini, UW Communication & Integrated Social Sciences *What:* Visual methodologies in participatory ICT4D *When:* Tuesday, Jan 22, 12-1pm *Where:* CSE 203 *Abstract:* In this talk, Sara Vannini will present the reflections from a published article with colleagues Caitlin Bentley (Nanyang Technological University) and David Nemer (University of Kentucky), which analyzes the use of visual methodologies in participatory research in ICT4D. While new methods are needed to shed light on unique and integrative concepts of ICT across cultures, this presentation explores the use of visual methods to facilitate critical engagement with ICT—defined as situational awareness, reflexive ICT practice and power and control over ICT. This definition of critical ICT engagement is informed by a cultural identity lens, and intends to improve participatory methods in ICT for Development (ICT4D) and community technology design and application. Three case studies will be presented, each employing visual methods to shed light on concepts and practices of ICT cross-culturally. The presentation aims to offer a way for researchers and practitioners to engage with cultural issues in community-based research and design using visual methodologies. *Bio:* Sara Vannini is a Lecturer at the Department of Communication and at the Integrated Social Sciences program at UW. Sara’s research is in the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development, focusing in particular on issues of Public Access to ICTs, social appropriation of technologies, information and migration, and participatory and visual methodologies of inquiry. Sara holds a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences from the University of Lugano, Switzerland, and an M.A. in Latin American Literatures from Bologna University, Italy. See more at: http://www.saravannini.com

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Course: Artificial Intelligence for International Development
by Yosem Companys 11 Jan '19

11 Jan '19

*** Please note that Liberation Technology doesn't benefit financially in any way from your taking this course. Just sharing because it looks interesting and because Tech Change has long been a friend of our program and offers excellent courses for those working in tech for development. Tech Change 301: Artificial Intelligence for International Development $395.00 4 weeks This four-week online certificate course will cover the basics of artificial intelligence from natural language processing and object differentiation, to comparative facial recognition and more. It will draw from a variety of case studies, particularly in financial services, education, and healthcare. It will attempt to cut through hype, evaluate real-world value and build basic skills on the topic. Course Description In the coming years, artificial intelligence (AI), the capability of machines to imitate intelligent human behavior, is poised to transform many industries from transportation to healthcare to finance. But what about international development? How will this revolution impact public health, agricultural extension work, humanitarian disaster response, educational delivery, and more? Does AI have potential to improve the way aid is carried out? Or are we a long way from having meaningful support and engagement from chatbots, robots, smart sensors, and the like? This new TechChange course will offer an overview of the general artificial intelligence field, including the more current studies of machine learning and deep learning, and how these new technologies will impact the field of international development. The course aims to prepare students to understand, navigate, and work with the intelligent machines that are already becoming ubiquitous in society, and learn to critically evaluate different types of AI-related technologies, such as by looking at built-in bias, ethical and moral considerations, and privacy and security. By doing so, students will be able to cut through hype, evaluate real-world value, and build a basic technical understanding of AI. The course will draw from a variety of international development case studies, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and education, to look specifically at opportunities within the international development landscape, both now and in the future. Course Overview - Week 1: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence - Week 2: Current State of Artificial Intelligence - Week 3: Considerations for Artificial Intelligence - Week 4: Future of Artificial Intelligence Course Objectives At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to: - Have a basic understanding of the how artificial intelligence technologies work, including machine learning and deep learning algorithms - Critically analyze both the opportunities and the pitfalls that emerge when working with artificial intelligence technology to improve international development outcomes - Connect relevant development theories to the technological strategies and tools discussed in the course - Design dynamic and effective strategies for using artificial intelligence tools and platforms to improve international development efforts - Become more confident in evaluating the use of artificial intelligence technologies to address international development issues Course Methodology - This course is delivered entirely online over a period of four weeks. - This course features several live interactive expert presentations each week with leading practitioners, software developers, and academics. - Every live event is recorded and archived for you to watch later. - This course also features a unique hands-on learning environment with animated videos, technology demos, practical activities, networking events, office hours, participant presentations, immersive simulations, and more. - TechChange recommends budgeting a minimum commitment of 5-7 hours per week and scheduling time for the course around your existing obligations. - Participants will have access to all course content for at least 4 months after course completion so the material can be completed and revisited later. Price - $395 if application and payment is submitted by February 1st, 2019 - $445 if application and payment is submitted by March 1st, 2019 - $495 if application and payment is submitted by course start date Group discount rates available. For more details, please contact us at social [at] techchange.org. If you are not happy with your course experience for any reason, TechChange is happy to discuss refunds. https://course.tc/catalog/course/tc301-artificial-intelligence-for-internat…

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UW Change Seminar next Tuesday 1/15: Planning Meeting
by Esther Jang 11 Jan '19

11 Jan '19

Next week's Change Seminar will not be a talk, but a *planning meeting* for the rest of the quarter. The time and location will remain unchanged: 12-1 pm in CSE 203. All who are interested in being involved with planning and organizing the seminar are welcome to attend. We are especially looking for people from the iSchool, SPH/DGH, HCDE, Communications, and any other departments across campus with an interest in technology for social change. We also welcome suggestions and connections to potential speakers for the seminar from anyone in our community. Thanks, The Change Team

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Fwd: Job Announcement: I-TECH Digital Health Specialist
by Trevor Perrier 08 Jan '19

08 Jan '19

*From:* ITECHSeattle <itechseattle-bounces(a)mailman13.u.washington.edu> *On Behalf Of *Holly Vargas *Sent:* Thursday, December 27, 2018 11:50 AM *To:* 'itechseattle(a)uw.edu' <itechseattle(a)uw.edu>; dghstaff(a)uw.edu; ' ghrc_jobs(a)uw.edu' <ghrc_jobs(a)uw.edu> *Subject:* [I-TECH Seattle] Job Announcement: Digital Health Specialist Good morning, The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) has an outstanding opportunity for a Seattle-based* Digital Health Specialist.* The Digital Initiatives Group (DIGI) at the International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) within the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington will provide services to internal and external clients to help people make informed decisions to improve health outcomes globally. DIGI promotes various technologies, with a preference for open-source software and the “global digital goods” supported by multiple donors and ministries around the world. The Digital Health Specialist is a member of the DIGI team, reporting to the Managing Director, and guides the implementation of national health information systems, which support optimal decision-making and efficient use of resources by health service providers and public health authorities. The Digital Health Specialist serves as the project lead on one or more small- or large-scale projects involving health information technology and the broader enabling environment that promotes their successful integration, maintenance, and use. The position leads the design, development and deployment of these systems. This is accomplished with emphasis on appropriate, user-centered design and deployment choices, which support high quality results and use of the data and information collected. It will be this position's responsibility to select software solutions that best serve the needs of the client. Qualified applicants should apply through the UW employment site <https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/ENG/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=…>. *COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY* The Department of Global Health recognizes that disparities in health around the globe stem from inequity. The Department encourages and supports the multiple identities of staff, faculty and students including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, culture, spiritual practice, geography, mental and physical disability and age. The Department strives to become a local, national, and international leader in developing and maintaining increased representation and recognition of each of these dimensions of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks, *Holly Vargas* *Human Resources Manager* International Training & Education Center for Health (I-TECH) Department of Global Health, University of Washington HMC# 359932 325 9th Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 Office: 206.616.8696 Fax: 206.221.4945 Skype: holly.vargas Website: *www.go2itech.org <http://www.go2itech.org/>* I-TECH envisions a world in which all people have access to high quality, compassionate, and equitable health care.

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Re: [change] UW Change Seminar Tuesday, Jan 8: Dominic Widdows, Southeast Asia, NLP, and Grab
by Philip Garrison 07 Jan '19

07 Jan '19

Tomorrow's seminar will be BYOL: Bring Your Own Lunch. We haven't gotten our catering set up for the new quarter. Hopefully we will have some small snacks/salad/drinks provided. -Philip On Sun, Jan 6, 2019 at 4:11 PM Philip Garrison <philipmg(a)cs.washington.edu> wrote: > Please join us Tuesday at noon in *CSE 203* for the first Change talk of > the quarter with Dominic Widdows of Grab. > > *Who:* Dominic Widdows > *What:* Southeast Asia, NLP, and Grab > *When:* Tuesday, Jan 8, 12-1pm > *Where:* CSE 203 > > *Abstract* > Grab has become the leading transportation company, and increasingly > technology platform, throughout Southeast Asia. We have unique challenges > and opportunities with language understanding and interfaces. Grab needs to > support a bigger range of languages than any of the comparable ridehailing > companies, and Southeast Asian languages are much less well-resourced than > other world languages that have far fewer speakers. At the same time, we > have large amounts of text through reviews, customer service, and chat, and > some of the unsupervised learning techniques currently at the forefront of > Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence are well-placed to > make use of these texts to enhance our language understanding capabilities. > Long-term dreams include a seamless way to interact with Grab’s products as > if you’re talking to a very knowledgeable concierge. Interim steps include > understanding customer service inquiries, translation, and various kinds of > sentiment analysis. This talk will be a very brief introduction to the > language landscape, NLP techniques, and how we can use them. > > *About the speaker* > From a background in differential geometry, Dominic started work in NLP in > 2001, developing vector space models for language representation and > reasoning back when this was still an esoteric and obscure avenue of > research. He’s best known in this field for the book Geometry and Meaning, > the use of quantum logic to represent search queries and word meanings, and > the SemanticVectors package, which has been building word embedding models > since 2007 and is freely available on GitHub for anyone to play with. He’s > worked on NLP, machine learning, information extraction, and transportation > logistics at Google and Microsoft, before joining Grab in 2016, hoping to > contribute in some of the world’s most exciting and challenging places > _______________________________________________ > change mailing list > change(a)change.washington.edu > https://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >

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