The 2024 ASIS&T Conference: Hearing from ILS Doctoral Students
The 2024 Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Conference was held from October 25th-29th in Calgary, Alberta. The theme for this year’s meeting was “Putting People First: Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Care in Information Research and Practice.” The Information and Library Science department had five doctoral students participating in the conference this year, in different capacities. Read below to hear from Meredith Dedema, Sasha Goryl, and Ece Gumusel!
Question: How would you describe your research project to someone outside your field?
Meredith: As a social informatics scholar, I conduct research that focuses on the design, implementation, and use of AI in a wide range of social and organizational settings. On the one hand, I investigate how people can work with AI and how algorithms mediate work practices. At ASIS&T Annual Meeting 2024, I presented the paper “Responding to Generative AI: Technology Companies’ Approaches to Enhancing Productivity and Innovation at the Organizational Level” at the SIG-Social Informatics Workshop. Drawn from an interview study with 20 employees from technology companies in China and the United States, I examined how organizational roles, cultures, and responsibilities influence the employees’ adoption of GenAI for productivity enhancement and innovation. On the other hand, I explore ways of leveraging AI capabilities for social good. I presented my dissertation project “Democratizing AI for Civic Engagement in Local Governance” at the Doctoral Colloquium, in which I investigated how local governments are using AI for civic engagement and addressing the ethical issues associated with AI in government.
Sasha: I would describe our project as an analysis of tweets about the January 6th, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol. We were interested in discovering the ways that Twitter users remember the insurrection and the ways that they discussed it, such as what terms they used to describe the events of January 6th, 2021.
Ece: My doctoral research explores user privacy dynamics in conversational text-based AI chatbots, using a mixed-methods approach to examine how people manage their privacy in interactions with these systems. The study includes complex experimental trials and a large-scale survey to observe decision-making patterns, potential manipulations, and associated harms and risks. I aim to identify effective strategies for reducing privacy harms and risks in these interactions and highlight gaps in regulatory compliance.
Q: How many conferences have you attended? How has participating in these conferences strengthened or supported your academic journey?
Meredith: I have been attending ASIS&T since 2019 and have also participated in some remote sessions during the pandemic. Participating in ASIS&T conferences has been an invaluable experience that has significantly enriched my academic journey. These conferences have offered me opportunities to engage with a diverse community of scholars, practitioners, and researchers who share a deep interest in information science and technology. The exposure to cutting-edge research and emerging trends, especially in areas like social informatics and the role of AI in public services, has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the field. Presenting my work at ASIS&T has also helped me refine my research skills, receive constructive feedback, and build confidence in articulating complex ideas to both specialized and interdisciplinary audiences. Moreover, the networking opportunities at these conferences have connected me with mentors and potential collaborators, fostering relationships that support my growth as a researcher. Overall, ASIS&T conferences have been a source of inspiration, encouragement, and professional development that continually motivate me to advance my research and contribute meaningfully to the academic community.
Sasha: I have attended 5 conferences. Participating in this conference has strengthened my academic journey by allowing me to connect with scholars and students who work in areas tangential to mine, but not exactly. This is helpful because it exposes me to methodologies, theories and concepts that I may not have otherwise considered but may be useful to me.
Ece: During my doctoral studies, I’ve attended several conferences, including ACM CCS, DEF CON, Privacy Law Scholars, ASIS&T, iConference, and NASIG. Each conference has added unique value to my academic journey, but this year, ASIS&T stood out to me because it was my first time attending and meeting researchers in information science whose work I’ve followed closely. Engaging directly with these scholars and discussing research was both inspiring and enriching. Additionally, as I am on the academic job market, these conferences provided opportunities for pre-interviews and networking with potential colleagues, which has been invaluable for exploring career options.
Q: What did you enjoy most about this year’s conference?
Meredith: This year is the first time I attended the conference without my advisor. At first, I thought I would be less confident to network with people and present my work. But I realized that I have grown up as an independent scholar and am capable of participating in many things on my own. I actually did a pretty good job and made a lot of friends! I am so proud of myself.
Sasha: What I enjoyed most about this year’s conference was the wide range of topics covered; I could hear talks on both things I am currently working on and areas that I knew nothing about. It was also great to see such a high turnout of students attending.
Ece: What I enjoyed most about this year’s conference was the chance to connect with leading researchers whose work I’ve admired from afar. It was exciting to engage in person, ask questions, and discuss new ideas directly. The presentations and panel discussions offered fresh insights into the latest trends and challenges in my field, sparking ideas for my own research. Additionally, the networking opportunities were invaluable. I had the chance to discuss potential collaborations and meet peers from diverse backgrounds, which broadened my perspective and allowed me to form meaningful connections that I hope will lead to future research opportunities.