Agenda

12:00-1:00 pm

Great Room I

Check-in/Registration

1:00-1:10 PM

Ballroom

Welcome Remarks

Fatma Mili, Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte

1:10-1:30 PM

Ballroom

WiDS Introduction

Stanford University's Global WiDS Video

1:30-2:30 PM

Ballroom

Keynote:  Kate Starbird, University of Washington

NAVIGATING MUDDLED WATERS: UNPACKING DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS THROUGH INTERPRETATIVE DATA SCIENCE

Recently, there has been considerable attention paid to concerns of online misinformation. This is a complex problem at the intersection of technology, social structure, and human behavior—i.e. the nature of online interaction may make us vulnerable to absorbing and spreading misinformation. Increasingly, it appears that various actors are taking part in strategic information operations, intentionally exploiting these vulnerabilities for geopolitical objectives. This talk explores three case studies of strategic information operations online: 1) “trolling” operations conducted by Russia’s Internet Research Agency leading into the 2016 U.S. elections; 2) the disinformation campaign targeting the White Helmets in Syria; and 3) cultivation of online communities that spread conspiracy theories related to mass shooting events. In our findings, I reveal some of the tactics of information operations and demonstrate the difficulty of distinguishing between “orchestrated” and “organic” elements. Throughout, I highlight how our grounded, interpretative, mixed method approach to the investigation of “big” social data allows us to identify and unpack these operations.

2:30-3:15 PM

Ballroom

Panel Discussion: building the talent pipeline where women can grow as leaders

Moderator: Dean Mili, UNC Charlotte

Panelists:  Sherrell Dorsey, CEO of Blktechclt and theplug; pinky parsons, chapter director chicktech Charlotte; and kay read, executive director at Charlotte area technology collaborative

3:15-3:30 PM

Break

3:30-4:15 PM

Ballroom

Keynote: JANICE LITTLE, CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER - LOWE'S

YOUR CAREER, YOUR CHOICE... THE OPTIONS ARE LIMITLESS

Engage in a dialogue about being intentional and creative about having the career you want.  Share my personal story and lessons I learned on my journey from a career in analytics to HR executive.

4:15-5:00 PM

Ballroom

Panel discussion: the professional workforce -- challenges, opportunities, and advice from those who've succeeded

Moderator: Sudeshna Banerjee, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, AND DATA SCIENCE EXECUTIVE, BANK OF AMERICA

Panelists: rumman chowdhury, Global Lead, Responsible AI, Accenture Applied Intelligence; bhavana bartholf, general manager at Microsoft; and  Shannon Versaggi, VICE pRESIDENT of CHANNEL MARKETING, LOWE's

5:00-5:10 PM

Ballroom

Closing Remarks

Professor Mary Lou Maher, Chair, Software and Information Systems and Director, Center for Education Innovation- College of Computing & Informatics-UNC Charlotte.

5:15-6:30 PM

Prefunction room

Networking Reception