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Monitoring the migration of blackfin sharks – Florida Atlantic’s experts are in the news
Seeking the warmer waters of the south coast – it is that time again for the annual migration of the black fin shark. These majestic sharks can grow up to 8 feet and weigh in at more than 200 pounds when fully grown. They’re also listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as near threatened, mostly due to the fact it is a targeted for its meat and its fins, which are used to make shark fin soup. Recently, one of our experts was featured in the media for his efforts in ongoing research and his studies are benefiting those who live both on water and on land. “Dr. Stephen Kajiura, a researcher at Florida Atlantic University, has been tracking the migration patterns of these apex predators by air and sea. Now Kajiura's latest tool is providing thorough details about their every move. He is capturing their movements and gathering detailed information through a $5,000 reusable radio and satellite sensor attached to their dorsal fins for two to four days. Data from these "shark diaries" records information, including how often they swish their tails, at what depth they prefer to swim, and at what time of day they swim close to the beach — proving beneficial to lifeguards responsible for beach safety.” Tampa Bay Times Are you covering? Do you need to know more about sharks, the dangers they face and what researchers are learning about these amazing species of fish? Let our experts help. Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., is a professor and researcher at Florida Atlantic University. He’s also an expert in sharks and shark behavior. Stephen is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
China Employs Mass Surveillance as Authoritarian Tool in Xinjiang Province
China has been engaged in high-tech surveillance of citizens in its Xinjiang province, according to a New York Times report, creating “an incubator for increasingly intrusive policing systems” that could expand automated authoritarianism across the country and abroad. One of the prime motivators, ostensibly, is to monitor and subdue minority religious and ethnic groups. This practice presents obvious, multi-faceted ethical issues, says Benjamin R. Mitchell, PhD, an assistant professor in Villanova’s Department of Computing Sciences with expertise in computer ethics. “The Chinese government surveillance project in Xinjiang is a perfect example of why we must be cautious and thoughtful about the deployment of technology. Most of the basic technologies being deployed were not originally developed for this application, and many of them have alternative uses which are potentially beneficial, or at the very least less clearly harmful to human rights. But applying these technologies to the surveillance and oppression of large groups of citizens still requires a large, intentional effort, making this as much a social and moral problem as it is a technological one.” Modern technologies, constantly being refined and developed, have brought us closer to the potential spread of totalitarian states, Dr. Mitchell says. “George Orwell’s 1984 was intended as a cautionary tale, but there have always been authoritarian regimes that have viewed it as a how-to manual. In the past, however, the manpower requirements for implementing such a system made it impractical to scale up to very large target groups. Modern technologies like automatic facial recognition and machine learning are now beginning to make widespread deployment of such systems possible.” Decreasing costs of technological surveillance systems will make their misuse even more likely, and those that employ them are justly open to criticism and opposition, Dr. Mitchell noted. “While the cost and manpower requirements are still likely too high to deploy such a system nationwide, the costs are steadily being driven down through research and development, meaning the development of a totalitarian information state is easier than ever before. It is entirely appropriate to critique governments, companies, or individuals who knowingly contribute to the construction and deployment of systems intended to oppress.” Although technology plays a key role in the Chinese attempt to oppress or eliminate targeted groups within its own borders, it is certainly not the first of its kind to do so through authoritarian surveillance, says Dr. Mitchell. “We can look at examples like Nazi Germany or Soviet East Berlin to see how this type of surveillance and suppression has been used in the past; the technological sophistication may have been less, but the risks to human dignity and freedom were broadly the same. The technology is certainly an enabling factor, but the fundamental problems presented here are not new ones. Security is important for human flourishing, but we must remember that the targets of pervasive surveillance can never feel secure; in pursuing security thoughtlessly, we can destroy it. If we are to be moral, we must consider the security of all people, not just those in a position of power,” he concluded.
WACO, Texas (May 13, 2019) – The movie-watching experience continues to evolve. And while directors wish all people could experience their movies on the silver screens in theaters, they know most people these days will be watching on the big screens in their living rooms or on the small screens in their hands. The movie-watching experience and the takeaways matter, said award-winning filmmaker Chris Hansen, M.F.A., who serves as professor and chair of the film and digital media department in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences. “As a director, I want people to engage with the story and the characters. I want you to be able to put yourself in the characters’ shoes and see the world from their points of view so that, whether you agree or disagree with their actions, you understand where they’re coming from,” Hansen said. Hansen has directed five independent films. His most recent project, Seven Short Films About (Our) Marriage, is now in post-production. In the following Q&A, Hansen shares thoughts on how we – as audience members – can do our part to get the best movie-watching experience and what he – as the director – hopes we take away from that experience. Q: As a director who puts in countless hours and organizes a team that puts in countless hours on a project, what do you hope audiences take away from your film? A: Film critic Roger Ebert once called films “a machine that generates empathy.” I see my films falling within that description. I want to generate empathy in the viewer for these characters and their situations, and I want audiences to come away talking about and thinking about their struggles. Q: So much goes into making a movie. There’s the script, cinematography, setting, dialogue, music, costumes, etc. Is there any one thing you hope your audiences notice? A: I hope that I, along with the other artists who have collaborated on the film, have created an experience where none of those things stands out above the other, except that they create a moment or moments that move people. If you’re thinking, “That was great dialogue,” then that can take you out of the world of the movie. Q: Your films are all available on various streaming platforms, which means that people are most likely watching them on televisions in their homes. What are your thoughts on the home viewing experience? A: The quality of the home viewing experience has gotten better and better over the years. We now have (or have access to) better and larger television screens, terrific audio systems and movies available in high-resolution formats. On the flip side, the home does not afford the best viewing environment because it’s not immersive the way a theater is. The experience of the theater provides fewer interruptions and allows the viewer to be fully immersed in the world of the movie, although even that environment is being disrupted by people using their cell phones in the middle of a movie. Still, it’s better than the home viewing experience, which gives the viewer many distractions and interruptions. Q: When you watch films at home, what steps do you take to limit distractions? A: As a person with a wife and children, I try to plan viewings of movies around their schedules, so I can watch uninterrupted when I know people won’t be home. And I try to control my own distraction level, but the “always on” nature of email and texting are hard to resist. My preference would always be to have people turn the phone off, turn the lights off and turn their attention solely to the screen. That’s hard to get people to do at home. Q: What are your thoughts about people watching movies on their smartphones or tablets? A: Very few filmmakers I know would express a preference that people watch their work on smaller screens. It’s just not ideal, and there are so many carefully planned details that can be missed. Having said that, I’ll admit to having watched films and TV shows on my tablet, especially when I’m traveling. The truth is, given the changing nature of the world we live in, people are going to watch in whatever way is most convenient for them. But watching on a screen as small as a phone means you’re getting a much more utilitarian experience of the film. You can say you watched it and can probably recount the plot accurately. But you will often have missed the fuller experience of seeing the film on a larger screen. Q: When students come to you and say, ‘I want to make movies!’ what’s the first thing you say to them? A: One of the first things I tell people is that the best way to learn how to make movies is to make movies. You learn by doing and getting critical feedback from someone who has done it and understands the form. And of course, in our program at Baylor, we also teach the theory side of things. We believe in a solid balance between theory and practice. We teach our students how this is done, but then they just actually have to do it and learn from their successes and their failures. Q: Do students in Baylor’s film and digital media program have the opportunity to work on your films? If so, in what ways? A: Students in our program do indeed have the opportunity to work on faculty-led projects. We make our films in the summer and offer the opportunity as a credited course so that they can have a lab-like learning experience. Students rotate through crew roles while working under professionals who help them understand their jobs. Some of our students have called this one of their best learning experiences in our major because it takes all the things they learn in the classroom and puts those to the test on a project that’s much larger in scope than what they’ve been able to experience before. And being a crew member on a film set can be a stressful experience. We’re dependent on the weather and limitations of time and money. It’s a great way for them to understand the ups and downs of the process and how they’ll respond to the pressure. Q: What can you share about your newest project and where can people find your previous films? A: My latest film, currently in post-production, is a feature film called Seven Short Films About (Our) Marriage. It’s the story of one marriage that unfolds over seven episodes over a number of years, as this couple struggles with the common issues that marriages face and try to make their love last. My films are currently all available on various streaming platforms. You can find Blur Circle, Where We Started, Endings, and The Proper Care & Feeding of an American Messiah either on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and in some cases, on Blu-ray disc via Amazon and other outlets.
Working together to promote veteran education
Georgia Southern University recently signed an agreement (see attached) with Nine Line Foundation that will assist veterans as they transition back into civilian life. Veterans will be enrolled in an aquaponics training program with the University’s Armstrong Campus’ Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center (SARC) at a compound at Nine Line Apparel in Savannah, Georgia. Aquaponics, or soilless farming, mixes aquaculture, the farming of fish, and hydroponics, to fuel the growth of plants in water. The SARC, a 4,100 square-foot greenhouse, has four independent recirculating systems, each containing 900-gallon tanks capable of holding more than 100 mature tilapia. Working within the College of Science and Mathematics, the SARC is focused on providing students, faculty and volunteers with the opportunity to conduct fundamental, interdisciplinary research in the area of aquaponics. The partnership with Nine Line Foundation will extend education opportunities to area homeless veterans and provide faculty and students an opportunity to engage with the veterans. Are you interested in learning more about his project and how Nine Line Foundation and Georgia Southern University are working together to provide opportunities and training to veterans? SARC’s director, Brent Feske available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Just how big of a deal is AI? At this year’s Directions 2019, IDC Canada experts will be speaking to a variety of topics that are reshaping the digital visions and tactics modern companies are using to compete. Explore how AI encompasses a huge spectrum of technologies for the enterprise and how at the center of it all is data. On May 02, join Warren Shiau, Research Vice-President with IDC Canada as he presents a highly anticipated talk on AI: Process Animation at 11:20 AM. Warren will look at what’s being adopted by Canadian enterprise under the banner of AI; and why AI can generate significant business value even in the absence of large data science teams and enterprise-wide high-quality data. Deep learning may rule the future but “small AI” targeting things like process automation rules the day. Organizations are rethinking digital transformation – join us May 02 to learn more. Location: St. James Cathedral Centre: Snell Hall, 65 Church Street | Toronto Date: May 2, 2019 Time: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Registration & Networking Breakfast | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Conference Program Register Today before it's too late! If you're a member of the media and would like to attend this event, please contact Cristina Santander at csantander@idc.com
Ungrading – is putting down the pen an A+ idea for post-secondary professors?
It’s a growing movement among professors – ungrading. There’s a popular trend out there that says teachers are spending too much time grading and evaluating as opposed to educating. Some professors feel that students need to be engaged by what they learn and not necessarily fixated on the grades they earn. In a recent blog post (see below) UMW’s Jesse Stommel showed how strongly he backs the concept. “There are a surprising number of faculty questioning grades in productive ways, and experimenting with alternative modes of assessment,” said Jesse Stommel, executive director of the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies at University of Mary Washington, and an early evangelist of ungrading. “If, as teachers, we just ask students why, when and how they learn, what we can get back is way more valuable than any standardized assessment mechanism can reveal.” Ungrading “creates space for that kind of honest reflection and dialogue,” he said. - TaxProfBlog The concept is novel and has support – but will it catch on? Will academia take a turn away from the traditional ways of grading? What will students think and how will they measure progress? And what about parents and potential employers who might rely on the old system when hiring or validating the costs of higher-education? Jesse Stommel is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies at the University of Mary Washington and is an expert in faculty development, digital education and modern learning. Jesses is available to speak with media regarding ungrading – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
After the admissions scandal – Otterbein’s President lends his perspective and pledge
It was a scandal that seemed to rip through some of the top-rated universities and schools in America. The very institutions that portray and image of integrity, ethics and higher expectations had failed in a very public manner. Universities and colleges are supposed to be beyond reproach and in this case some of the best-known names in higher learning were now subject to accepting bribes and admitting students who may have had wealthy parents and worthy-pocket books - but lacked the essential grades to attend. Mix in a few well-known celebrities and this allowed the story to show that America’s elite have access to the levers of academia that most do not. But out of every mistake, there comes a lesson. And ideally a way to find the right way to do things. That’s how the President of Otterbein University, John Comerford sees it. He was recently published when asked about his views on the issue as it played out. “We should use the scandal as a moment to open our eyes to this long-standing inequity, because higher education is still the best door to social mobility our nation has to offer. Some institutions, like Otterbein University, are trying to provide opportunity to all students. We are investing more in need-based aid. We are setting transparent, inflationary 2 percent increases in tuition for the next four years. We are intentionally recruiting in underserved areas, expanding the diversity of our student body and providing student support services on campus. Family income will never be considered in who gets into Otterbein.” – The Columbus Dispatch John Comerford is an expert in higher education, regional and national topics. He is the President of Otterbein University and is available to speak with media regarding this issue and how higher-education needs to be made available to everyone in America regardless of income, family name or background. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Why Operation Varsity Blues has some experts seeing red
It’s a scandal that has all the right ingredients - celebrity, trusted institutions, entitlement, bribery and now stars potentially behind bars. The 50 people charged on March 12 in a college admissions conspiracy include the tennis coach for the Obama family, an investor and friend of Bono and TV celebrities Felicity Huffman from Desperate Housewives and Full House’s Lori Loughlin. They are all wealthy, connected and parents who participated in a scheme that saw cheating on admission tests and bribery of college coaches to get their kids into some of the most elite schools across America. It’s embarrassing for the kids, the parents and the schools. But nonetheless, there will be consequences. This conspiracy was brought down by the FBI after all. However, there is collateral damage that has also been done to America’s academic community. The reputation, importance and value of a degree from a post-secondary institution has been sullied. And undoing this damage will not be easy. Dr. David Rettinger is Director of Academic Integrity at the University of Mary Washington and President of the International Center for Academic Integrity, an organization founded to combat cheating, plagiarism and academic dishonesty in higher education. “With the recent revelations from the indictments in Operation Varsity Blues, the integrity of higher education is once again under attack. As a scholar of student ethics and President of the International Center for Academic Integrity, I encourage both condemnation of this behavior and understanding of the context in which it occurred. Our society is commodifying higher education, focusing on degrees and not learning. I hope that the public discourse about education can focus on authentic learning rather than degrees and qualifications, so that higher education can remain a public good.” Approved quote from Dr. David Rettinger Dr. Rettinger is available to speak with media regarding this scandal as well as the importance of education and how universities and colleges across America will need to work to rebuild trust in the institutions that have been impacted by these events. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of great conversation
When is the last time you and your partner made time to talk? Or, more important, made time to really listen to one another. The newness of getting to know our partner – that interest we had in the beginning of a relationship – begins to take a back seat to the everyday busyness of life. And while the days, months and years pass by, it is easy to assume that the one we love is essentially the same person with the same needs, interests, values and goals. "People think that ‘change is the only constant’ doesn’t apply to our relationships. We forget that we are always growing and learning new things about ourselves and so is our partner,” says Wake Forest University communication professor Jennifer Priem. “As we and our partners grow, we need to learn how to best make adjustments in our relationship so that our relationships grow with us. That happens when we listen.” Priem studies relationships and conducts research that explores the connection between supportive conversations and physiological signs of stress reduction. She recently launched a blog on Psychology Today, Stressing Communication, and is sharing a series of posts called, “Conversations That Will Save Your Relationship.” Priem offers these tips to help set the stage for meaningful conversation. Ask your partner if it’s a good time talk. “After work or when your partner is tired is usually not the best time to talk,” says Priem. “If your partner says ‘no’ it doesn’t mean forever. Rather than force a conversation because you’re ready, wait for a time that will be good for you both to engage.” When it is time to talk, listen first. Be a supportive listener. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your cell phone, other things happening around the conversation, or tangential thoughts that pop into your mind. Listen to understand, rather than to respond. Try not to interrupt your partner. Wait to respond until your partner has completed his or her thought. It may be that by waiting to respond, you will learn something new that will change how you respond. Conversations don’t require “work,” says Priem, but they do require that we recognize how we maintain our relationships, assess if it is in line with what is best for us and our partner, and adjust our strategies to create the best possible relationship over time. Priem is available for phone, email and broadcast interviews. Broadcast Television and Radio Studio Information Wake Forest operates a fully-equipped, professional television and radio studio to connect experts with global news media. Video interviews can be coordinated through LTN Global Communications’ Smartcloud IP video transport service that provides regular high-quality video transport connections to most major broadcast networks. Audio interviews are coordinated through ipDTL, an IP codec used for remote radio broadcasts as well as voice-overs. ipDTL replaces classic ISDN audio codecs and has backward compatibility. Details available here.
Empowered Storytelling Geared Toward Women Is a Winning Combo for Super Bowl Ads, Baylor Expert Says
Television advertisers who have chosen to appeal to women fans and viewers during this weekend’s Super Bowl have committed their millions of dollars to a wise strategy, according to a Baylor University marketing and advertising expert. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, studies consumer behavior and attitudes, multicultural media and advertising, and movies and entertainment. Each year, she and her students analyze the Super Bowl ads. And each year, she said, she sees more ads geared toward women. In fact, AdAge reports that brands like Bumble, Toyota and Procter & Gamble's Olay are featuring women in lead roles in their Super Bowl commercials this year. “That’s smart,” Lindsey-Warren said. “The current and future market power of women – as a whole and by segments – is undeniable and truly cannot be ignored by marketers.” To make her point, she cited research showing that women influence more than 80 percent of all consumer spending; 89 percent of the financial decisions are made by women; and globally, women control more than $20 trillion in world-wide spending. In addition, nearly 24.3 million African American women are brand loyalists and cultural trendsetters who have influence over the $1.2 trillion dollars in black spending power. Forbes reported in 2018 that “women constituted about 49 percent of the 108 million-plus people who watched” that year’s Super Bowl – and paid closer attention to the ads. “Nowadays, whatever brands plan to do during the Super Bowl must be extremely strategic and well planned when commercials go for over $5 million dollars,” Lindsey-Warren said. “With the #metoo and #times up movements as well as the diversity and gender issues in advertising industry and more, I think brands struggle as to how they approach targeting women on such a global stage.” She said brands that use “empowered storytelling” – storytelling that exudes the emotion of empowerment – make a difference. Good examples, she said, are Always’ “Like a Girl” commercial in 2015 and Audi’s “Daughter” commercial in 2017. “In my research, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, this approach is a powerful combination for brands who want to increase purchase intentions for their products or services,” Lindsey-Warren said. “The emotion of empowerment is multidimensional and promotes encouragement and can be extremely motivational,” she said. “When one is empowered, it can be an ‘aha’ moment and very transformational in a positive manner. In addition, empowered storytelling is a proactive approach to storytelling that demands you keep the receiver of the story in mind at every stage of the process because, at the end of the day, you want the receiver of the story to be better in some way for having received the empowered narrative they just viewed or experienced.” And when consumers are empowered, they tend to tell others. In the digital space, this looks like sharing videos, posts, quotes and more on social media channels. “Essentially, empowered storytelling gives brands the opportunity to achieve the right balance of entertaining and encouraging and, ultimately, healing by showing that they care for their consumers through the motivational messages and narratives they are producing,” Lindsey-Warren said. ABOUT TYRHA LINDSEY-WARREN, Ph.D. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., is a marketing scholar, business executive, artist and entrepreneur. As a consumer behavior scholar, her research is rooted in narrative transportation theory (i.e., storytelling) that exudes the emotion of empowerment and its impact on consumer attitudes, behaviors, purchase intention and message recall. She also studies health edutainment, multicultural media and advertising, as well as movies and entertainment. Lindsey-Warren is an expert in effective communications strategies for leaders, multicultural communications and marketing. Her latest research, “An Examination of Television Consumption By Racial and Ethnic Audiences in the U.S.,” was published in the Journal of Advertising Research. She will be discussing this study during panel discussions in New York City and Los Angeles for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.
