CMI hosts Dr. Howard T. Welser and Dr. Laura W. Black from University of Ohio, USA

From March 26 to April 13, 2024, CMI will host Professors Dr. Howard T. Welser and Dr. Laura W. Black from Ohio University, USA. During their visit, they will have several meetings and discussions with CMI researchers and others working in the field of Internet research, deliberative communication, network analysis, online community and group research. Ted's research focuses on the study of social structures and group processes, social media and computer-mediated interaction, social impacts of technological change, and the development and application of various quantitative research methods. Laura’s research involves the use of qualitative and discourse-based methods to conduct research that helps groups address difficult, divisive issues through collaboration, dialogue, and deliberation.

During their stay, Ted and Laura will give guest lectures in the ICT and Society course, which is part of the Social Informatics master program. The lectures will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in lecture room 20. At 08:30 to 10:00, Ted will give a talk entitled Design principles for distributed moderation of digital platforms: the case for member/employee ownership plans. At 10:15 to 11:45, Laura lecture will give a talk on Deliberative theory and deliberative online discussions. The talks are open: students and researchers are welcome!