Date: October 30th
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Where: ITE 238
Dr Ferraro, Associate Professor of Computer Science and PhD graduate from Johns Hopkins University, will be discussing strategies, considerations, and tips for preparing for computing, technology, and engineering graduate programs.
Faculty members from other departments will be on hand to answer questions. We will also highlight the graduate programs available right here at UMBC!
This presentation will be especially helpful for juniors and seniors, but all students are welcome to attend.
Refreshments will be served!
]]>In this session, we will discuss the following information and more!
Please mark your calendar and use this Webex link to join the session.
Not able to attend the information session? No worries! The session will be recorded and posted to the HRSTM Benefits Open Enrollment website by 10/22/2024.
Synthetic voices used by Speech-Generating Device (SGD) users are predominantly shaped by binary gender norms, limiting the representation of nonbinary individuals. This talk begins by exploring the current landscape of gender in synthetic voices and nonbinary vocal characteristics, revealing how existing models, trained on cisgender male and female speech, fail to authentically represent nonbinary identities. I will then present a case study of a nonbinary SGD user who used three synthetic voices constructed from gender expansive speakers over the course of a week, documenting their experiences in daily journal entries. Finally, I’ll examine the impact of inclusive voice design and community-informed research on identity affirmation and communication efficacy, drawing from the case study’s findings. These insights underscore the critical need for gender expansive synthetic voices that prioritize both gender affirmation and expressiveness, with far-reaching implications for voice technology and user engagement.
Maxwell Hope (he/they) recently earned a PhD from the University of Delaware, where his dissertation explored the creation, perception, and use of gender expansive synthetic voices. By day, they work at the U.S. Census Bureau, focusing on usability testing and data science; by night, they continue to conduct speech science research, deeply rooted in community-driven principles. They have three cats: Hoagie, Helena and Hensley.
]]>Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day – a time to honor and recognize the rich cultures, contributions, and histories of Indigenous communities across the United States. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of colonization and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year.
Historically, Indigenous communities have faced erasure and marginalization, often misrepresented through harmful stereotypes and caricatures. They continue to confront systemic violence and disenfranchisement. Acknowledging their struggles and achievements requires more than a designated day or a land acknowledgment. It is essential to elevate Indigenous voices, support their communities, and engage in practices that promote awareness of their joys and challenges. We must actively challenge injustices against Indigenous peoples.
About Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Despite the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, many still refer to this day as "Columbus Day," celebrating Christopher Columbus and his so-called "discovery" of the New World. However, history reveals that Columbus was not the first to discover the Americas, and honoring "Columbus Day" overlooks the brutal treatment and genocide of Indigenous peoples. His voyages led to the near extinction of the Taino people and marked the beginning of widespread colonization in the Caribbean.
In 2021, President Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day, which you can view [here]. South Dakota was the first state to celebrate "Native American Day" in 1990 as a counter to "Columbus Day." Berkeley, California, was the first city to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 1992, protesting the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival.
Land acknowledgments are just the first step in recognizing Indigenous peoples and their histories. By acknowledging the land our university occupies, we pay tribute to those who originally cared for it, confront the injustices faced by displaced and marginalized Indigenous communities, and commit to addressing these issues. This acknowledgment merely serves as a foundation for centering and taking action to support Indigenous communities. We encourage everyone to honor the Indigenous peoples who came before us, those who are present today, and future generations, celebrating their rich legacies. We extend our heartfelt appreciation and love to all Indigenous faculty, staff, and students at UMBC.
Interested in literary works by Indigenous authors? Check out this book list.
Click here to read the 2024 Presidential Proclamation for Indigenous Peoples Day.
Three Goddard teams were recipients of a 2024 Blue Marble Award, among them the NASA Disasters Response Coordination System Team of which Robert Emberson (617/UMBC) is a member. The team was a “recipient in the category of Resilience or Climate Change Adaptation for outstanding contribution to science-based disaster response and resiliency planning.” Created in 2006, the Blue Marble Award recognizes personnel who demonstrate environmental leadership in carrying out the agency’s mission. The award ceremony was held October 8, 2024, at the NASA 2024 Environmental Operational Meeting at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Congratulations!
We asked Dr. Emberson for more information on the Disasters Program and the Disaster Response Coordination System: “I am one of the Associate Program Managers for the Disasters Program at NASA HQ, which supports both funded research projects as well as a range of agencies to inform decisions relating to Disaster response. I’ve been involved in various capacities in the disaster response support work for the past 5 years, but this year the program has formalized these activities into the Disaster Response Coordination System, an expanded way to leverage NASA assets to support our partners.” Read about the launch of the new system in this June 2024 NASA news feature.
The Disasters Program provides resources via Earth observing data to aid and inform emergency management decision-makers; most recently, they’ve been activated in response to Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The DRCS is featured in this article on nasa.gov regarding the devastation from Hurricane Milton and how NASA is providing FEMA and state agencies with resources. The DRCS team also utilizes the NASA Disasters Portal, which “provides access to a range of data sources for our response activities.” Read more about current and previous disaster activations here.
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