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Sifting Fact from Fiction: The Role of Social Media in Conflict

Part of USIP's Blogs & Bullets Initiative

From the war in Libya to the elections in Nigeria, speculation abounds about the power of new media for social change – spawning a cottage industry of “expert” analysis of the data from social networks, which then influences government policy and public perceptions. 

This Blogs & Bullets meeting brought together the companies and experts who sift through the data with activists that create it and policy-makers who use it. The event looked at the cutting-edge of research technologies and predictive analytics in an effort to expand our ability to harness these new platforms for conflict management and peacebuilding. This event was co-hosted by USIP and George Washington University. 

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  •  George Washington University

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Image courtesy: Bill Fitz-Patrick

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Agenda

9:00 - 9:15: Opening Remarks

  • Sheldon Himelfarb, USIP

9:15 - 9:45: Blogs and Bullets II 

  • Sean Aday, Henry Farrell, Marc Lynch, and John Sides (George Washington University) 
  • Brian Eoff, Bit.Ly
  • Deen Freelon, American University

9:45 - 11:00:  New Trends in Data Mining and Analysis

  • Cosma Shalizi, Carnegie Mellon University, moderator
  • Rohini Srihari, University of Buffalo, Janya Inc.
  • Fadl al-Tarzi, News Group, Dubai
  • Bruce Etling, Berkman Center 
  • John Kelly, Morningside Analytics

11:00 - 11:15 Break

11:15 - 12:00: Digital Activism and Political Change: Practitioners 

  • Sheldon Himelfarb, USIP, moderator
  • Sultan al-Qassemi, @sultanalqassemi
  • Andy Carvin, NPR
  • Mary Joyce, Meta Activism Project 

12:00 - 1:00: New Media’s Role in Peace, Protest, and Political Upheaval

  • Sheldon Himelfarb, USIP, moderator
  • Marc Lynch, George Washington University
  • Clay Shirky, New York University
  • Alec Ross, U.S. State Department
  • Jillian York, International Freedom of Expression
Start Date: 
September 16, 2011 - 9:00am
End Date: 
September 16, 2011 - 1:00pm

Location

U.S. Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20037

Inquiries

Please contact Anand Varghese at avarghese1@usip.org or 202-429-7179 with any questions about this event.

Media

Journalists should contact Allison Sturma in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications.

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Type

Public Event