Science Studies Presents David Mindell

David Mindell
Director, Program in Science, Technology, and Society,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Humanities & Social Sciences Bldg. 3027
*Reception prior to talk at 3:30 pm

Digital Apollo:
Lunar Landing and the Social Relations of Automation

Apollo 11, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this summer, was a delicate dance of humans, software and networks that almost miscarried. This talk examines, in detail, the final moments of the lunar landing to show how they enacted the ambitions and contradictions of the Apollo program overall. Moreover, it suggests a new methodology for studying human interactions with machines and networks that has broad implications for the study of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) in a variety of arenas, including commercial aviation, undersea exploration, and other extreme, real-time environment.

Exclusive Career Programming for Graduate Students

Throughout the academic year, UC San Diego’s Career Services Center (CSC) hosts a variety of workshops, seminars, panels and speakers regarding career and professional development topics for current Ph.D. and master’s students. To view a complete program list and frequency during the academic year, please visit the Grad Student Workshops page

Mastering the Academic Faculty Interview for Ph.D.s

Seats still available-REGISTER TODAY!

Wednesday, July 29
5-7pm | Career Services Center (Library Walk)

Summer is a good time to gain insight into “Going on the Academic Market” this fall, or for community college and adjunct/lecture positions—to land a job for the fall!
Take advantage of this workshop to practice answering typical committee questions (on-camera) and receive immediate feedback from a career advisor and your peers. This workshop helps you articulate clearly who you are and what you can do, create an effective and comfortable dialogue during an interview, and develop questions that will help you articulate your value and ensure you are making the right decision when accepting an offer. Information shared during the workshop will also help you hone your credentials, whether pursuing a position at a research or teaching institution.

Space is limited to 6 students, so register early to guarantee a seat by calling 858.534.3750 today!

It’s Never Too Early to Think About the Job Search

Start Learning About and Preparing for Life After Graduate School

Thursday, July 23
12-1:30pm | Horizon Room
Career Services Center (Library Walk)

This workshop focuses on early preparation basics (even during the first year) for life after graduate school, whether you plan a transition into academia or beyond. Don’t wait until your last year, or when the pressure mounts, to prepare for your inevitable career transition: learn what skills are highly sought-after—especially in the private and public sectors—recognize your transferable skills and accomplishments, start making contacts, and explore the true breadth of career opportunities for Ph.D. and master’s students! To register, simply Log in to your Port Triton account.
Knowledge that is a must know for all graduate students in order to conduct a successful job search during these tough economic times.

Modeling Spaces - Modifying Societies

International Conference

Modeling Spaces - Modifying Societies

7 - 9 October 2009
Fraunhofer IGD, Darmstadt, Germany

The conference is organized by the graduate program Topology of
Technology of the Darmstadt University of Technology.

Registration is now open on the conference website

This conference aims to increase our understanding of the power and limitations of models, their construction and effects in the sciences and in fields of practice. It provides a forum for the discussion of qualitative and quantitative models composed of verbal propositions, numerical abstractions, and visualizations - and their distinctive spatial dimension.

Of particular interest are issues that cut across established scientific disciplines and analyze the boundaries between science, technology, society, and politics.

PROGRAM

Oct 7

18:00 Reception and address of welcome: Petra Gehring and Mikael Hård
(TU Darmstadt)

19:00 1st keynote address

Paul N. Edwards (University of Michigan)
Versions of the Atmosphere: Climate Models, Data Models, Global Space
and Time

Oct 8

8:00 Registration

8:30 Introduction: Josef Wiemeyer

9:00 2nd keynote address

Oskar von Stryk (TU Darmstadt)
Models and Simulation in Engineering: Dynamics of Motion and Robot
Intelligence

10:30 Coffee Break

11:00 Parallel Sessions

Stream 1: E1-E3
Epistemology and Reflection

Stream 2: P1-P3
Production and Planning

Stream 3: A1-A3
Application and Resistance

E1 Simulation and Prototypes (Chair: Josef Wiemeyer)
Witold-Roger Poganietz: CarboMoG. An Instrument to Manage Carbon Flows
Sabine Höhler: A Model of Sustainability? (Biosphere 2)
Juan Manuel Durán: Computer Models Revisited

P1 Mode(l)s of Planning (Chair: Frauke Nowak)
Alfonso Valenzuela-Aguilera: Rhizome Cities
Liam Sharratt: Models as Mediators of Design. The Case of BREEAM
Christa Kamleithner: Early Theories on Zoning

A1 Failed Futures (Chair: Mikael Hård)
Lino Camprubi: Appetite for Destruction. Models and the Sciences of
Construction in Early Francoist Spain
Sandmeier, Stefan: The Cybernetic Vision of a Swiss Integral Concept for
Transport (1972-77)
Sebastian Ureta: Modeling Future Passengers of Public Transport in
Santiago, Chile

13:00 Lunch Break

14:00 3rd keynote address

Amy Hillier (University of Pennsylvania)
Mapping Social Patterns: The Making and Unmaking of Inequality

15:30 Coffee Break

16:00 Parallel Sessions

E2 Communicating Spatial Information (Chair: Frauke Nowak)
Katrina Boulding: Technology as Landscape
Susan Drucker, Gary Gumpert: Urban Planning and Urban Communication
Maria Prieto: Networking Place Models

P2 Retrieving Spatial Information (Chair: Josef Wiemeyer)
Toshiyuki Kaneda: Potential to Space Modeling Through Pedestrian Agent
Simulation
John Zacharias: Environmental Determinants of Non-motorized Behavior
Rodrigo Mora: Retrieving Hierarchical Information from Spatial Networks

A2 Spatial Power of Models (Chair: Susanne Schregel)
Florentina Hausknotz: Cities on the Verge of Spatial War
Cesar Garcia-Diaz: The Dynamics of Rural-to-urban Migration in an
Evolutionary Model
Sebastian Haumann: Seeking Urban Order - Modernism and Segregation

20:00 Dinner at Jagdhofkeller

Oct 9

9:30 Parallel Sessions

E3 Dealing with Uncertainties (Chair: Sonja Palfner)
Jannes Fröhlich: Model-based Climate Projections in Administrative
Discourse
Maurice Ertsen: Hydraulic Models in Archaeology
Florian Keil, Stefan Liehr: A (Self-) Critical Thought on the Use of
Modelling in Transdisciplinary Research. The
Case of Environmental Risk Management

P3 Participation and Spatial Planning (Chair: Sebastian Haumann)
Margarita Greene: Neighborhood Construction
Dagmar Haase: Simulating Future Land Use Change in Urban Regions
Christian Derix: Generating and Measuring Public Realm

A3 Sustainability and Stakeholders (Chair: Philipp Benz)
Reinhard König: Computer-based Methods for a Socially Sustainable Urban
and Regional Planning
Geraldine Abrami: Supporting Case Studies/Comparison with a Generic
Model of Urban-rural Water Related Interdependencies
Martin Zimmermann: Water Supply Systems in the Context of Cybernetics
and Sustainable Development

11:30 Lunch Break

12:30 4th keynote address

Roland W. Scholz (ETH Zürich)
Transdisciplinarity, System Sciences, and Prospective Modeling in
Regional Transformation

14:00 Panel Discussion

15:30 End

"Religion, Nature, and Progress" Conference

The program of the conference "Religion, Nature, and Progress" (23-26 July at the University of Amsterdam) is now available online.

Please see <http://www.religionandnature.com/society/pdf/AmsterdamProgram.pdf>

The general website of the conference

The following papers deal particularly with issues of Western esotericism:

- William R. Newman, Indiana University (USA): "Isaac Newton and the Perfecting of Nature" (keynote lecture)
- Nina Witoszek, University of Oslo (Norway): "Leonardo da Vinci Our Contemporary? The 'Other' Renaissance and Its Views on Religion and Progress" (keynote lecture)
- Egil Asprem, University of Amsterdam (Netherlands): "Utopia and the Paranormal: Degeneration and Progress in the Parapsychology of William McDougall and J. B. Rhine"
- Patrick Curry, University of Kent (UK): "Enchantment and the Paradox of Progress"
- Michael York, Bath Spa University (UK): "Full of Sound and Fury; Signifying Nothing: Earth Religion and the Experiential"
- Colin Campbell, York University (UK): "The Easternization of the West and the Rehabilitation of Nature" (keynote lecture)
- Graham Harvey, Open University (UK): "Progressive Animism: Sustaining Diversity among the Co-Creators of the World" (keynote lecture)
- Eric Katz, New Jersey Institute of Technology (USA): "The Paradox of Pro-gress: Domination and Autonomy" (keynote lecture)

The complete Conference Book (with introduction, paper abstracts, maps, etc) will be available online on Friday, 17 July.

Online registration for the conference is open until 21 July 2009, either for the entire conference or for a single day.

Please forward this email to interested people or lists.

Attention UCSD! A new film about Science by a Scientist

Hi there,

I am writing on behalf of PhD Productions and a new film that we are making called LOSING CONTROL, about a female scientist who wants proof that her boyfriend is "the one." This film is the first romantic comedy written and directed by an actual scientist (Harvard Ph.D. in Biophysics, Valerie Weiss) about scientists. Our website is . We know how amazing, smart, interesting, sensitive and cool scientists are and we are hoping that as many as possible will join our main characters network at . If you could please spread the word, we sure would appreciate it!

Many thanks!

Michael--Assistant
contact@phdproductions.com

UCSD Helena Edison Lecture Series Presents Freeman Dyson

UC San Diego
Helena Edison Lecture Series

Presents

Freeman Dyson
British theoretical physicist and mathematician, renowned for his work in quantum field theory, solid-state physics, and nuclear engineering.

“Nukes and Genomes”

Tuesday, July 21
7:00pm
UCSD Faculty Club

Free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations required.

For more information, please visit http://helenedison.ucsd.edu/eventdyson.cfm

Postdoc Positions

Postdocs for collaborative project on the epistemology of
the CERN Large Hadron Collider

Interdisciplinary Centre for Science and Technology Studies
Wuppertal University, Germany

The University of Wuppertal, Germany, offers two Post-doctoral positions for three years, to start in January 2010. Successful applicants will work together in a research group dedicated to the Epistemology of the Large Hadron Collider, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within a group of physicists, philosophers and historians of science. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or philosophy/ history/ sociology of science with an emphasis on contemporary physics and be able to pursue a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and international research project. A Diploma/ Master/ Bachelor degree in the other field is an
asset. Some teaching is possible, but not required.

Applications can be made for the following projects
(multiple applications possible):
(i) Epistemic dynamics of model development, using both philosophical and
science studies methods;
(ii) Experiments between theory-ladenness and exploration.

A third position: (iii) Ontological and epistemological aspects of the
Higgs-mechanism is pending and subject to budgetary approval.

Further information on the projects and the official
announcement of the positions

The University of Wuppertal is committed to employing more women
scientists and welcomes applications from qualified female researchers.
Applications of disabled researchers are welcome.

Send complete dossier (including two letters of reference) by September
1st, 2009, to:
LHC-Epistemologie
IZWT, Prof. F. Steinle
Wuppertal University
Gaussstr. 20, 42119
Wuppertal, Germany

Informal inquiries should be directed respectively to:
(i) Peter Mattig (peter.mattig@cern.ch)

(ii) Friedrich Steinle (steinle@uni-wuppertal.de)

(iii) Holger Lyre (lyre@uni-bielefeld.de)

Interview Practice Beyond Academia for Graduate Students

Wednesday, July 15
5-7pm | Round Room

Preparation goes a long way in giving you an edge! Practice answering typical industry interview questions (on-camera) and get immediate feedback from a career advisor and your peers in this relaxed and supportive environment. This workshop teaches you interview techniques and strategies, which will allow you to create an effective and comfortable dialogue during the interview. In addition, you’ll develop questions to assist you in gaining greater insight into any position and company and will allow you to make an informed and affirmative job choice. Space is limited, so register early by calling 858.534.3750

UCSD Career Center
Open all summer to meet the career needs of all current UCSD graduate students

With the current state of the economy, going “On the Market” is tougher than ever, so understanding the true breadth of career/job options, honing your Résumé, CV, application/cover letter, or just discussing interview tips and strategies can play a vital role in finding opportunities, securing an interview, and receiving an offer.

A master’s and Ph.D. students advisor is available by appointment for confidential discussion of all issues related to career planning and professional development for academic careers and job pursuits beyond academia. The following services are conducted by appointment:

Critiques of CVs, resumes, cover letters, and other credentials and job search materials

Assistance with academic and careers beyond academia decision-making, planning, job searching, and utilizing resources

Mock interviews and interviewing tips and strategies

Guidance connecting with UC San Diego alumni and other professionals

Administration of self-assessment instruments


Eligibility

All UC San Diego Ph.D. and Master’s students who are currently enrolled, conducting research off-grounds, or newly graduated are eligible for advising services

Graduate students who have not paid UC San Diego registration fees and are only working on a thesis and are not officially on leave, may access the services at the Career Services Center. These students must provide a signed memo from their advisor verifying their status. Students on leave of absence or withdrawn receiving a 100% refund are not eligible to access services at the Career Services Center.

From that point on, as alumni, they may consult Alumni Career Plus.

Call for papers

Newton and Empiricism
Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh
10-11 April 2010

Invited Speaker: Lisa Downing (Ohio State)
Program Committee: Zvi Biener (Western Michigan University), J. E. McGuire (University of Pittsburgh), and Eric Schliesser (University of Leiden)

Call for papers

Isaac Newton and John Locke are sometimes portrayed as dual fathers of the British Enlightenment, with Newton providing the exemplar of human knowledge and Locke providing the philosophical infrastructure required for understanding the merit and reach of that exemplar. Yet their union was neither simple nor unchallenged. Newton’s empiricism developed while defending and revising his Principia against philosophical critique, and Locke’s hospitability to Newtonian gravity and realization of Newton’s achievement developed through successive drafts of the Essay and other texts. Moreover, similar complexity exists in the work of Newton’s and Locke’s intellectual heirs. This conference will focus on the compatibility and incompatibility, tensions, and developing relations between Newton, Locke, and their successors in Newtonianism and Empiricism.

The conference will take place on 10-11 April 2010 at the Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh. Possible conference participants should note that Catherine Wilson (University of Aberdeen) will deliver an Annual Lecture Series talk for the Center for Philosophy of Science on the afternoon of 9 April 2010. Conference participants are encouraged to attend.

Partial travel stipends will be available for young scholars, who are highly encouraged to submit abstracts.

The deadline for submitting abstracts (of approximately 750 words) is 1 December 2009. Email submissions are highly encouraged and can be sent to Zvi Biener at zvi.biener@wmich.edu. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of your abstract within a week, please resubmit or contact the organizers.

For updates, visit the Center Web site

Tenure-track position in History of Science and Women, Gender and Sexuality, Harvard University

Application deadline: 10/15/2009

The Department for the History of Science and the Program in Women, Gender and Sexuality [WGS] at Harvard University invite applications and nominations for a tenure-track appointment that will be located half-time in each program. The appointment is intended to
advance research and teaching on questions and themes at the intersection of history of science (including medicine and technology) and historical and contemporary scholarship on women, gender, and sexuality.

The area of focus is open, but might include science and technology studies (including biotechnology), modern life science, environmentalism and ecology, non-Western science, medicine, and technology, and science and/health policy.

The successful candidate must show promise of distinguished scholarship, and be able to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching undergraduates interested in both women, gender and sexuality studies and in the history of science. He or she should also be able to teach and advise at both doctoral- and master's-levels. All applicants must hold the doctoral degree by or before the fall semester of 2010.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action employer and encourages applications from women and/or ethnic minority candidates. Letters of nomination are welcome. Letters of application should be accompanied by a current curriculum vitae, no more than two sample publications, and a sample syllabus and/or teaching statement.

Materials should be sent in duplicate to:
WGS and History of Science Search Committee
c/o Marcus Dahmen
Department of the History of Science
Science Center 371
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138.
E-mail: mdahmen@fas.harvard.edu

Deadline for applications is October 15, 2009, and interviews may be scheduled shortly thereafter.