Up next for 'Convo With Cantwell': Digital humanities research and impact
In the first "Convo With Cantwell" of the new year, panelists will focus on the research and impact of the University's digital humanities programs. The discussion will feature Bryan Carter, director of the Center for Digital Humanities, Jonathan Jae-an Crisman, assistant professor in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities, and Judd Ruggill, head of the Department of Public and Applied Humanities.
Convo with Cantwell is a monthly Zoom fireside chat hosted by Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation.
In addition to the panelists, Cantwell will be joined by three members of the Research, Innovation & Impact leadership team: Chief of Staff John O'Neil, Vice President of Operations Sangita Pawar and Assistant Vice President of Research Intelligence Lori Schultz.
The discussion will be held Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. Registration is open now.
The most recent Convo With Cantwell, held Dec. 9, featured a discussion on bridging the political divide in the wake of the November election. The panel of experts included Keith Allred, executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, Kate Kenski, professor in the Department of Communication, and Barbara Norrander, professor in the School of Government and Public Policy.
Given the contentious nature of the campaign and events that have happened since, the December discussion focused on the partisan divide, mis- and disinformation, and putting the 2020 election in historical context.
Addressing the need to find common ground among activists and legislators, Allred discussed the role the National Institute for Civil Discourse plays in identifying issues where solutions agreeable to both sides of the political aisle might be hammered out. Once issues are identified, the institute facilitates communication between working groups until agreement is reached on language that can be used for legislative action.
Defining the differences between misinformation and disinformation and the goals of each, Kenski offered insights into how the impact of political messaging is measured and, importantly, what individuals can do to help identify the differences between the two.
Finally, as divisive as the 2020 election was, Norrander helped put this period of American history in perspective. Noting that the election of 1876 was particularly marred by voter intimidation and violence at the polls, she discussed ways that politicians and activists at the time attempted to influence voters and state electors – lessons that are pertinent today.
You can watch or listen to previous episodes on the RII website. Note that each new episode in 2021 requires a separate registration.
Members of the campus community are asked to register online for the January discussion. For more information, send an email to research@arizona.edu.