Paul Dourish, Full Professor, Department of Informatics, University of California at Irvine

Date: Wednesday, March 14; 4:00p - 5:00p

Location: Seminar Rm, 301 College Ave

Note: 3:00 - 4:00p will be our social gathering with refreshments – in the Snap Lab at 301 College Ave.

Abstract:

In an influential paper, computer scientist Mark Weiser comments, "There is more information available at our fingertips during a walk in the woods than in any computer system." Weiser's argument is directed towards the experience of using contemporary computer systems, but in this talk, I want to explore another aspect of this remark -- the curious figuring of an informational account of everyday experience. I will explore the twin aspects of information that underwrite computational practice -- first, the notion of information as an object and, second, its use as a "universal solvent" for modeling the world -- and their consequences for computational practice and for the emergence of interdisciplinary hybrids around digital media.

Bio:

Paul Dourish is a Professor of Informatics in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at UC Irvine, with courtesy appointments in Computer Science and Anthropology. His primary research interests lie at the intersection of computer science and social science, and he is known particularly for his research in the areas of Ubiquitous Computing, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, and Human-Computer Interaction. Before coming to UCI in 2000, he was a Senior Member of Research Staff in the Computer Science Laboratory of Xerox PARC; he has also held research positions at Apple Computer and at Rank Xerox EuroPARC. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from University College, London, and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh.

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For more information, please contact Phoebe Sengers.

1-23-2007 Sarah