Please mark your calendar and come to join our 2023 spring mini-symposium next Wednesday (4/19) at 1-3pm. We have lined up four exciting talks by three new CAHMP members, Jonathan Auerbach, Erion Plaku, and Xiaokuan Zhang, as well as Matthew Steinberg, Director of EdPolicyForward here at Mason. Please check out their abstracts below. The symposium will end with a panel joined by all four speakers and moderated by CAHMP co-director, Sanmay Das.
Time: 4/19/23 Wednesday, 1-3pm
In-person Location: Research Hall 440A. Light refreshments will be served.
For online participants – Please contact Peng Warweg for joining information.
Speaker: Jonathan Auerbach, Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, George Mason University
Topic: Computer-Assisted Selection of Board Members to Improve Equity and Inclusion
Abstract: From local governments to international corporations, there has been increased demand for diverse governing boards. In many cases, the number of members who identify as women and people of color have increased substantially. But diverse membership does not automatically mean inclusive or equitable participation. Members can be excluded from the conversation by procedures that favor the majority group or behaviors such as interruptions, bullying, and discriminatory harassment.
In this presentation, we propose a methodology that models the interactions among board members. The model can be used to assess barriers to participation among current members and select new members to promote inclusion and equity. We demonstrate the proposed approach using more than twenty-four hours of video footage from meetings of Manhattan’s Community Boards in addition to an extensive follow-up survey. We find a large gap between nominal representation on boards and actual representation in terms of participation in activities (e.g., speaking time at meetings). We then show how a more thoughtful selection of board members can greatly reduce this gap.
This is joint work with Catherine DeLazzero and Ashley Maria Garcia-Parra (Columbia University) and Eric Auerbach and Sidonia McKenzie (Northwestern University).
Speaker: Erion Plaku, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, George Mason University
Topic: Toward Supervised Autonomy: Enhancing Automation and Human-Robot Collaboration
Abstract: Advances in AI and robotics are giving rise to systems that can see, hear, communicate, act, and learn, seeking to extend and enhance every aspect of human life. This progress has been driven by the pursuit of fundamental questions that continue to drive much of our research: how do you enhance the autonomy and capability of robots to work alongside and collaborate with humans? Toward this goal, my group’s research brings together concepts from AI, robot motion planning, and logic, to develop planning frameworks that enable human supervisors to describe tasks in high-level structured languages and have the framework automatically plan actions and motions for robots to safely and effectively complete assigned tasks. This line of research has the potential to establish a novel paradigm for supervised autonomy that increases productivity and capabilities. Applications in marine robotics will be highlighted. Finally, I will discuss emerging challenges and opportunities, as well as share my vision of the way forward.
Speaker: Xiaokuan Zhang, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, George Mason University
Topic: Security and Privacy Concerns in Computer Systems: Exploring the Human Connection
Abstract: Computer systems have been rapidly evolving over the past several decades, with the emergence of new technologies such as smartphones and blockchains transforming the way humans interact with these systems. Since computer systems often need to process, transmit and store sensitive user data, it is crucial to ensure the security and privacy of such systems. However, these challenges are not solely technical, but are also impacted by human factors. This talk will delve into the security and privacy concerns in computer systems, and how human behavior and decision-making can affect these issues. The presentation will begin with an exploration of side-channel attacks, which can reveal otherwise protected information from computer systems by observing traces (e.g., timing, power, or resource usage). It will then move on to examine security issues in two emerging platforms, blockchain Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and virtual reality systems, while considering the impact of human factors on their security. The talk aims to highlight the importance of considering human behavior and decision-making in the development of secure computer systems.
Speaker: Matthew Steinberg, Associate Professor of Education and Public Policy, George Mason University
Topic: Ed Policy at Mason
Abstract: Dr. Steinberg, Director of EdPolicyForward: The Center for Education Policy at George Mason University, will provide a high-level discussion of the Education Policy program at George Mason University and an overview of his education policy research projects. A few recent research projects will be highlighted, including: (a) What explains the race gap in teacher performance ratings? Evidence from Chicago Public Schools; (b) The effects of closing urban schools on students’ academic and behavioral outcomes: Evidence from Philadelphia; (c) Fiscal federalism and K–12 education funding: Policy lessons from two educational crises; and (d) Do suspensions affect student outcomes?