Segregation discovery in a social network of companies

We introduce a framework for a data-driven analysis of segregation of minority groups in social networks, and challenge it on a complex scenario. The framework builds on quantitative measures of segregation, called segregation indexes, proposed in the social science literature. The segregation discovery problem consists of searching sub-graphs and sub-groups for which a reference segregation index is above a minimum threshold. A search algorithm is devised that solves the segregation problem. The framework is challenged on the analysis of segregation of social groups in the boards of directors of the real and large network of Italian companies connected through shared directors

Efficiently Clustering Very Large Attributed Graphs

Attributed graphs model real networks by enriching their nodes with attributes accounting for properties. Several techniques have been proposed for partitioning these graphs into clusters that are homogeneous with respect to both semantic attributes and to the structure of the graph. However, time and space complexities of state of the art algorithms limit their scalability to medium-sized graphs. We propose SToC (for Semantic-Topological Clustering), a fast and scalable algorithm for partitioning large attributed graphs. The approach is robust, being compatible both with categorical and with quantitative attributes, and it is tailorable, allowing the user to weight the semantic and topological components. Further, the approach does not require the user to guess in advance the number of clusters. SToC relies on well known approximation techniques such as bottom-k sketches, traditional graph-theoretic concepts, and a new perspective on the composition of heterogeneous distance measures. Experimental results demonstrate its ability to efficiently compute high-quality partitions of large scale attributed graphs.Comment: This work has been published in ASONAM 2017. This version includes an appendix with validation of our attribute model and distance function, omitted in the converence version for lack of space. Please refer to the published versio

'Gender as a multi-layered issue in journalism: ' A multi-method approach to studying barriers for women in Belgian newsrooms

In recent years, in feminist media studies there has been a growing interest in in media production processes, the structures of media organizations and the people working ‘behind the scenes’ of these companies. This research has documented that despite the increase of female journalists in the last decades, journalism remains vertically and horizontally divided along gender lines. Female journalists are strongly under-represented in older age groups, in decision-making positions and in prestigious news areas and media sectors. Although the blending of qualitative and quantitative methods can offer a fuller understanding of the mechanisms sustaining gender inequality in journalism, most studies either quantify the representation of women in journalism or use qualitative methods to explore how female journalists experience these barriers. The purpose of this paper is to fill the lack of multi-method research on gender inequality in journalism. In order to gain insight into the structural position of women in the journalistic workforce, we conducted a large-scale survey in Belgium. All active professional journalists were invited to participate. The response rate was 33.4% (1640 of 4913 journalists). These results are explored more in depth by means of qualitative interviews with 21 female journalists. The analysis confirms the existence of all ‘traditional’ barriers that women experience in the journalistic profession (e.g. the incompatibility of journalism and motherhood, the glass ceiling, sexism, …). The added value of this study is that we registered several additional difficulties for women in journalism, and most importantly that we gained insight in the strategies that our respondents use to deal with these gender-related barriers. These strategies were related to the support of a partner, the flexibility in the newsroom towards journalists with children, the choice to work part-time or freelance and the use of new communication technologies

Learning from the World: Good Practices in Navigating Cultural Diversity. Bertelsmann Stiftung Study 2018

The Reinhard Mohn Prize 2018 “Living Diversity – Shaping Society” focuses on diversity in German society, that is the plurality of cultural, religious and linguistic identities found among the people who live in the country. With this focus, the RMP 2018 highlights a variety of successful strategies for living peacefully in diversity. In historical terms, cultural diversity is nothing new or unique for Germany. In fact, though we are often unaware of it, cultural diversity has been a feature of our daily life for a long time. Indeed, religious differences have shaped German society since the Reformation. And Judaism has always been present in the area we now call Germany

Introducing Preservice STEM Teachers to Computer Science: A Narrative of Theoretically Oriented Design

This paper narrates the process of designing a curricular unit that serves to introduce preservice science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to computer science (CS) education. Unlike most literature that focuses on results and findings, this paper explains how a justice-centered approach to CS education informed decisions about the theoretical underpinnings of curricular design choices. Situated in issues related to the gentrification of Austin, Texas, the described curricular unit explores how the increased use of CS and growth of the technology sector are having a direct impact on the historically marginalized residents of East Austin. Connected by a theme that maps are both a form of data visualization and political artifact, the described curricular unit uses CS as a tool to: critique the macro-ethics of politics and society; provide a CS learning environment that can be responsive to the multiple social identities of students; and connect CS to larger struggles for justice and liberation.Educatio