Download the agenda (PDF) for THATCamp PNW 2011.

Or visit the Google Doc.

Hello, world!

I like the relative anonymity of the current blog format — seeing ideas for sessions without knowing who proposed them (unless I look in the WordPress dashboard). And I know that identity is a sensitive and challenging issue, in terms of race, gender, sexuality, and in terms of academic pursuits for those who are affiliated with institutions/companies where digital humanities work is seen as less scholarly.

I’m also curious, and would like to know more about people’s interests — even before we meet on Saturday. When I asked about an introductions post, Jentery mentioned that almost 30% of the registrants requested that their info remain private. I don’t want to tread on anyone’s boundaries, and so I thought I’d make this post and invite people to comment and introduce themselves and their interests according to their own preferences.

I do have an idea for a session on practical issues regarding identity and technology in the classroom, i.e. integrating materials on anonymity/pseudonymity, public/private identities, and social justice into classes of any/all disciplines. But my idea is still so fuzzy that I haven’t posted it yet, and it comes down to being curious about how other people include social justice/identity issues units in their pedagogy. (At the same time, I’m wrestling with questions about how we handle identity among ourselves (and how we can handle it better) in the communities of ed/tech and academia, and at gatherings like THATCamp.)

Assuming that I manage to come up with a slightly more expansive proposal, I’ll say more about that in its own post.

Anyway: hi! Please feel free to comment below to introduce yourself as you see fit, or not.

Are you looking for a ride to THATCamp PNW? Are you able to give others a ride?

Then leave a comment below with your request or offer, as well as your contact info (e.g., Twitter handle, email address, or office phone).

Many scholars, activists, and programmers in the PNW and beyond are invested in the social and political implications of new technologies. Meanwhile, THATCamp participants such as Angel David Nieves, Marta S. Rivera Monclova, Amanda Phillips, Alexis Lothian, Tanner Higgin, and many others have proactively organized THATCamp sessions related to—for example—diversity in the digital humanities, an open digital humanities, and digital humanities and social justice.

THATCamp PNW 2011 follows in the steps of this work, becoming an opportunity for all involved to collaboratively approach new tech and networked media through the perspectives of social justice. Those who are curious about such an approach, or are experienced with it, are especially invited to register.

We would especially like to thank Microsoft Research for their generous support of THATCamp PNW 2011. Without their support, the event would not be happening.