Monthly gatherings: Coffee Chats | Work-in-progress showcases | Public seminars | Reading club
Long-term initiatives: Research | Courses | Other Initiatives: Color of Science & Feminist Futures Helsinki
:: Monthly gatherings
:: Coffee Chats
On the first Friday of every month from 4 to 5pm we hold our virtual coffee chats on Zoom. They are partly how the collective emerged and has been sustained. Over the course of a coffee break, we get together to informally discuss different topics, work together or just enjoy a nice warm drink and relax. We facilitate a safe space for discussion and for people to get to know each other, exchange their interests and ideas, and to grow the collective through joint action.
Each event brings together people with different perspectives and practices; we document all coffee chats and build on these conversations in our ongoing initiatives. The coffee chats are hosted by Natalia Villaman and Floris van der Marel.
:: Work-in-progress showcases
During the third week of every even month (February, April, June, August, October, and December), one of our collective members organises a work-in-progress showcase. The day, time, and length vary depending on the organiser. In these sessions, the organiser shares their own work (e.g. a research plan, course idea, current PhD work, Masters’ thesis, paper in progress, etc). Collectively, we critique and generate ideas to elevate our ongoing practices.
Any member who wants to organise a work-in-progress showcase, can do so. More information on how to do this following next week.
:: Public seminars
During the third week of every uneven month (January, March, May, July, September, and November), one of our collective members organises a work-in-progress showcase. The day, time, and length vary depending on the organiser. In these sessions, we foster collective critical questioning and reimagining futures on a crisis-related topic.
Any member who wants to organise a public seminar, can do so. More information on how to do this following next week.
:: Reading club
Every fourth Thursday from 12 to 1pm (EET), we get together to collectively discuss a paper, movie, or news article. Each time, somebody else from the collective proposes a piece and prepares a short introduction presentation as well as some discussion topics.
Any member who wants to organise a reading club session, can do so. More information on how to do this following next week.
:: Long-term initiatives
:: Research
Reconstructing Crisis Narratives for Trustworthy Communication and Cooperative Agency, 2020 – 2023
This research jointly conducted between Aalto University and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) proposes to analyze and reconstruct crisis narratives through a mixed methods approach using qualitative research and social media analytics.
>> Learn more
Team members include Nitin Sawhney, Jonas Sivelä, Anna Leena Lohiniva, Teemu Leinonen, Tuukka Tammi, Suvi Hyökki, Matti Nelimarkka, Johanna Kaipio, Natalia Villaman, Hasti Narimanzadeh, Minttu Tikka, Henna Paakki, Kaisla Kajava, and Talayeh Aledavood.
:: Courses
Critical AI and Data Justice in Society, Spring 2021
This course critically examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and data-centric technologies in society. The goal is to reveal the socio-political implications for protest, surveillance, democratic participation, misinformation, gender and racial equity, civic engagement and social justice.
>> Learn more
This course is being offered in spring 2021 at the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University, led by Prof. Nitin Sawhney, Sid Rao, Henriette Friis, Karolina Drobotowicz and Kaisla Kajava.
Human-Centred Research and Design in Crisis, Summer 2020
This course introduced students to understanding and engaging in crisis contexts, using human-centred design principles and participatory research methodologies in conjunction with domain experts, partner organizations and everyday citizens.
>> Learn more
This course was offered in summer 2020 at the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University, led by Prof. Nitin Sawhney and Magdalena Mihalache.
:: Other initiatives
Color of Science
Color of Science is an emerging initiative where scientists of color and from indigenous communities talk about their experiences and struggles in science, and examine the role of color theory and its implications in science. The monthly series – initially offered online – consists of lectures, panel discussions, and film screenings to spur provocative and engaging dialogues, while conducting follow-up workshops to engage participants in sharing and exchanging their own concerns, perspectives, and ideas that build on the thematic topics.
>> Join the Color of Science Facebook Group to stay involved.
This initiative is co-organized by Talayeh Aledavood, Andrea Botero, Karin Fröhlich, Caterina Soldano and Nitin Sawhney.
Events in the series
- 03.25.21: Coded Bias: Unmasking the Abuses of Face Recognition Technologies in Society
- 22.04.21: Collaboration in and with the Global South
- 26.05.21: Sámi Perspectives on Indigenous Knowledges, Technology and Governance
Feminist Futures Helsinki
Feminist Futures Helsinki (FFH) is a hackathon which builds on feminist theories of power, emotion and intersectionality, to imagine alternative futures for the Finnish society. It is a space for creativity and radical ideas, where everyone is welcome.
This initiative is co-organized by Henriette Friis, Eva Duran Sánchez, Karolina Drobotowicz, Helmi Korhonen, Kaisla Kajava, Uttishta Varanasi, Eve Nieminen, Amel Bourdoucen, Taika Nummi, Anna Brchisky, and Nitin Sawhney.
Join the Crisis Interrogatives collective to propose and develop new initiatives for research, teaching and societal impact.
>> Contact Us
Monthly gatherings: Coffee Chats | Work-in-progress showcases | Public seminars | Reading club
Long-term initiatives: Research | Courses | Other Initiatives: Color of Science & Feminist Futures Helsinki
Crisis Interrogatives 
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