Register for VCS 2021 now to enjoy the Professional Development Symposia events at AMCIS 2021

Don't miss your chance to engage with colleagues at the Professional Development Symposia (PDS) events at AMCIS 2021! The PDS events will cover equity and inclusion within IS research, lessons learned in analytics from senior level executives, leadership in academia, and more.These events are open to AMCIS participants at no cost. You can register or edit your registration here an add one or more of these PDS events today.

Monday, August 9 – 1-2:30pm: Using a Critical Lens to Advance Equity and Inclusion in IS Research and Pedagogy

The PDS will interest IS scholars and educators who want to develop critical empirical work and pedagogical approaches that advance equity and social inclusion. The session will begin with a short introduction to SIG SI, its purpose and current initiatives, followed by an overview of critical approaches as they apply to IS research and pedagogy. The PDS will then provide examples showing how to ground IS research and pedagogy in critical theories and methods.

Tuesday, August 10 – 7:30-9:30 am: "Lessons Learned in Analytics/AI from Senior Level Executives" (Special Interest Group in Decision Support and Analytics)

Jay Liebowitz, MSBA Co-Program Director, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University will chair this session. The participants for the PDS are:

Wayne Shurts, Former EVP/CTO, Sysco; Independent Director, Armstrong World Industries

Mary Purk, Executive Director, Wharton Customer Analytics and AI for Business, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Alejandra Puesan Antoine, VP of Digital Analytics, NBCUniversal Media, LLC

As we continue to forge ahead with our data-informed environment, we have learned some key lessons in analytics and AI over the recent years that can better position us for the years ahead.  This symposium will feature invited VPs and other senior leaders of Analytics of leading organizations to share their insights on their successes, failures, and promises for the next generation of Analytics/IS professionals.

The format would be as follows for the 120 minute (2 hour) synchronous PDS via Zoom on August 10:

7:30-7:45 am:  The focus of the PDS and Introductions of Speakers

7:45-9:00 am:  Insights & Lessons Learned in Analytics and AI from the Speakers

9:00-9:30 am:  Open Q&A from the Audience & Moderator

Tuesday, August 10 – 8-9:30 am: “A workshop on coding causal and process models as graphs for enhanced literature”

A PDS on coding causal and process models as graphs for enhanced literature reviewing by the Theory Research Exchange (T-Rex) project team (https://t-rex-graph.org/). Rick Watson, Xia Zhao, and Yuanyuan (April Song) will introduce the T-Rex project and invite IS scholars to apply and discuss the next generation of methodologies and tools for the accumulation, application, and synthesis of knowledge.   

If the PDS is full, please contact Rick Watson at rwatson@terry.uga.edu to receive more information on future workshops.

Tuesday, August 10 – 3-4:30pm: Transitions to academic leadership

Many faculty members view academic leadership in their universities with some trepidation while others are very interested in the possibilities it presents. In this PDS organized by the College of Academic Leadership, we examine the transition points in academe – the first job in university administration – with the intent of demystifying the journey from faculty member to academic leader. The five panelists will be experienced current or former department chairs, deans, and associate deans.

Wednesday, August 11 – 3-4:30pm: Making a Difference: Engaging Globally in Relevant Research in the Search for the New Normal

The COVID 19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to both academia and practice, but it has also presented many unique and compelling opportunities for Information Systems researchers.  In this professional development symposia, our panel will discuss examples of how the virtual forms of communication accelerated by the pandemic have allowed researchers focused on IS leadership to expand global networks and more deeply engage with practitioners on issues of active need. 

Thursday, August 12 – 4-5:30pm: Leading Diversity: Promoting EDI in Universities

Universities do not always reflect the demographics of the populations they serve or their student bodies. Developing competencies in and leading programs focused on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a way that university administrators can lead their institutions to be more representative of the communities they are embedded in. Five panelists with experience in leading EDI initiatives - from informal, ground roots efforts to structured programs - discusses their lessons learned from leading diversity.