Join the Conversation: Being a Scholar in the Digital Era

Posted on by Justin Wadland

The Library, in collaboration with the Office of Research, will be hosting a conversation (via Zoom) with Jessie Daniels and Polly Thistlethwaite, authors of Being a Scholar in the Digital Era (University of Chicago Press). All are invited to attend.

When: Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Where: Tioga Library Building 307b.

Cover image for Being a Scholar in a Digital Era
Go to the e-book version from the UW Libraries; NetID required

This book has been been the focus of the Autumn Quarter 2018 UW Tacoma Emerging Practices Reading Circle. This group has previously met twice to discuss the book, and this third, final meeting is open to all faculty, staff, and students. 

It is not necessary to have read the book or previously participated in the reading circle. The book is available online (via the UW Libraries) for those who are interested, and it is recommended to read “Chapter 1: Introduction: Transformations” and “Chapter 7: The Future of Being a Scholar” to gain an understanding of the topic.

Based on conversations with faculty, we have asked the authors to share thoughts on a few topics, then engage in a Q&A:

  1. Ideas for training faculty and staff in digital scholarship – and in particular, ideas for a) describing how a ‘Media Camp’-type  might be translated to other institutional context including UW Tacoma, which is smaller and more nascent than CUNY Graduate Center; and b) ideas for incorporating training on with backlash;
  2. Challenges and means of coping with the very real fear of backlash – which our group identified as a large barrier to adopting digital platforms – and how universities can/are protecting faculty in this regard;
  3. Issues around social justice – both in terms of students’ (and the public’s) access to digital infrastructure, and also in terms of divides that may exist between different social classes, institutions, and globally;
  4. Connections between open access and engaged scholarship – our campus is developing programs and conversations around engaged scholarship, and the UW Faculty Senate just past an Open Access Policy. We’d love to hear your perspective on how these overlap and support each other.

If you have any questions, please contact the organizers of the reading circle and event: Justin Wadland and/or Kara Luckey