8:00am - 12:00pm |
Precon 6: Exploring Information-as-potentiality: Methods for Design and Evaluation (USE) Location: Potomac III
Understanding how people interpret and use digital information is an essential part of building capable, 21st century knowledge systems. At the same time, information science/studies has called for attention to the mediating role that technology plays in informational processes. Both strands of thought converge on the need for new approaches that support inquiry into the dynamic modes of information-making and taking (Huvilla, 2022) and their consequential relations within spaces of knowledge production. In service towards the conference theme of ASIST 2025 “Difficult Conversations”, this symposium will collectively explore and showcase methods, theories, techniques, metatheories, frameworks, and prototypes that conceptualize the use of information as a generative, unfolding set of practices – an approach we are calling information-as potentiality (Chassanoff and Chen, 2025). We suggest that approaches that frame information as situated (Suchman, 1987; Taylor, 1991; Bishop et al., 2000), experienced (Bruce et al., 2014; Chassanoff, 2016; Gorichanaz, 2019), participatory (Huvilla, 2008; Greyson, 2014), and/or embodied (Dourish, 2001; Chen, 2015; Olsson & Lloyd, 2017; Bates, 2018;) practices are useful paradigms for considering dimensions of use within larger systems of dynamic and mediated information flows. Such perspectives can offer valuable insights into evolving literacies, necessary contingencies, and possible affordances and can help inform the design and evaluation of capable knowledge infrastructures. |
Precon 7: Multivocal Writing: A Workshop on the Thematic Narrative Location: Potomac I
Join us for the third offering of this successful ASIS&T Workshop. It provides a set of principles and detailed instructions for writing-up qualitative research. The approach is especially sensitive to the "multivocality" of interpretive studies and the ethics of representation. Doctoral students and candidates; early-career scholars; and editors of social scientific manuscripts are encouraged to attend. |
Precon 8: Social Media Research, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models, Crisis Informatics, AI Ethics (SM) Location: Potomac V
This hands-on symposium/workshop includes a tutorial on using open-source LLMs for social media research, with adaptable code for your own datasets, followed by a best student paper competition on AI and social media topics. Explore recent developments in AI-based social media research, learn new tools, and connect with an interdisciplinary research community. |
Precon 9: Early Career Colloquium (By Invitation) Location: Potomac IV
This Early Career Colloquium will facilitate an invigorated discourse with peers and a panel of experienced faculty serving as mentors. This half-day event is intended for early career faculty whose work align with ASIS&T-related research area. |