UMKC hosted UM System Research Summit
More than 100 innovators and leaders came together to collaborate, engage and learn from each other at the University of Missouri System Research Summit, “Human in the Digital Age,” hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The topic is timely as there has been plenty of discussion lately about how digital technology is incorporated into everyday lives, said UMKC Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal.
“In addition to how we use digital technology in academia, it has become an integral part of how we connect and engage with the world around us,” Agrawal said. “Whether its healthcare, cybersecurity, or travel, much of what we do – if not all these days – involves some kind of connectivity.”
“The true impact of doing digital work is that it brings our work to a much broader audience,” said Jeff Rydberg-Cox, curators’ distinguished professor of English language and literature at UMKC.
In a TEDx-style format that included time for questions and answers, UM System faculty from the four universities that are part of the UM System covered diverse topics such as technology, social media, travel, design, computer science and more. They shared the groundbreaking discoveries they make on a daily basis.
“Technology impacts every person,” said Michelle Reynolds, associate director, Institute for Human Development at UMKC. “Technology improves our lives. But we need to also think about how technology can segregate us. Technology needs to be usable by all. Making things more inclusive is the right thing to do.”
Presentation topics and speakers are listed below. To view their presentation, click on the presentation title:
- Detecting cyber threats on Twitter – Praveen Rao, associate professor of computer science and electrical engineering, UMKC.
- Artificial intelligence and smart home automation to empower people with disabilities – Yugi Lee, professor of computer science and electrical engineering, UMKC.
- A biomechanical framework for characterization of clinician task performance – Gregory W. King, associate professor of mechanical engineering, UMKC.
- Picturing new possibilities in the fight against HIV via digital photography – Michelle Teti, associate professor, department of Health Sciences, MU.
- Humans, cyborgs and robots: testing the boundaries of personhood – Keith Miller, Orthwein endowed professor for lifelong learning in the sciences, College of Education, UMSL.
- Physically interactive robots for human assistance – Yun Seong Song, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, Missouri S&T.
- Artificial intelligence in radiology – Tally Altes, professor of radiology, MU.
- Driving in the digital age: A boon or bane? – Praveen Edara, professor of civil and environmental engineering, MU.
- Building a connected mobility management and analytics-centered smarter transportation system– XB (Xianbiao) Hu, assistant professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, Missouri S&T.
- What does it mean to digitize travel? – Carlos Sun, professor of civil and environmental engineering, MU.
- Ironies of self-quantification: Impacts of biosensor data on decision-making, identity and social control – Denise Baker, assistant professor of psychological sciences, Missouri S&T.
- Designing for impact and usability – Joi Moore, associate dean for engagement and outreach, professor of Information science and learning, MU.
- Human(ities) in the Digital Age – Andrew Kersten, dean, College of Arts and Sciences, UMSL.
- Manuscripts, networks and human heritage in the Digital Age – Jeff Rydberg-Cox, curators’ distinguished professor of English language and literature; Virginia Blanton, professor and chair, English language and literature and Nathan Oyler, associate professor, chemistry, UMKC.
- ᎠᎾᎦᎵᏍᎩ ᎪᏪᎵ ᎠᎴ ᎠᏣᎳᎩ – Lightning paper and Cherokee people – Joseph Erb, assistant professor of digital storytelling, MU.
- Digital technologies and scholarship: New horizons for the humanities – Twyla Gibson, assistant professor of information science and learning technologies, MU.
- Improving technology access and design for people with intellectual disabilities – George S. Gotto, IV, interim director, Institute for Human Development and Michelle Reynolds, associate director, Institute for Human Development, UMKC.
- The dark and bright sides of technology use – Fiona Nah, professor, business and information technology, Missouri S&T.
- The rule of law and protection of the commons in the “age of accelerations” – Anthony Luppino, Rubey M. Hulen professor of law and director of entrepreneurship programs, UMKC.