In a thought-provoking new op-ed in The New York Times, Erle Ellis argues that when it comes to global sustainability “overpopulation is not the problem.”

Ellis, an associate professor of geography and environmental systems at UMBC and visiting associate professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, writes, “Many scientists believe that by transforming the earth’s natural landscapes, we are undermining the very life support systems that sustain us. Like bacteria in a petri dish, our exploding numbers are reaching the limits of a finite planet, with dire consequences. Disaster looms as humans exceed the earth’s natural carrying capacity. Clearly, this could not be sustainable. This is nonsense.”

Such claims about “natural carrying capacity,” Ellis suggests, are based in a fundamental misunderstanding of the ecology of human systems, which assumes they have a natural equilibrium. Ellis instead argues, “The conditions that sustain humanity are not natural and never have been. Since prehistory, human populations have used technologies and engineered ecosystems to sustain populations well beyond the capabilities of unaltered ‘natural’ ecosystems.”

Read the full op-ed on The New York Times website and learn more in a follow-up guest post on the Dot Earth blog.

The man, Seamus Heaney

This man has been dead for just over two weeks. Why not take this opportunity, right now, to meet him?

Say Hello to Seamus Heaney. This guy is a poet. I know what you’re thinking.

Before you panic, shutting off your computer and screaming bloody murder, bare with me. He’s a master. He took words and transformed them into moments, and he did it so well that he got a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. And, oh… won 17 other major international prizes and honors…while teaching at Harvard and Oxford…still not impressed?

Seamus Heaney was not just a great poet but he was regarded by some as the “greatest poet of our age” and the ”the most important Irish poet since Yeats“.

So… what made him so good?

Poetry tugs on those good ol’ heart strings. Heaney, like the best poets, wanted us to watch and feel with him. He wanted us to be appalled, to be inspired, by what we see through his words.

Most folks may not be familiar with Heaney’s brilliance because schools traditionally treat poetry like its only purpose is to accurately describe the woods (snowy woods, yellow wood, sorry Robert Frost). But words are personal and powerful. In the hands of someone like Heaney, poetry could be a weapon.

Between my finger and my thumb

The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.

- from “Digging”

Who knows, the next Seamus Heaney might exist right now, a young Syrian girl, documenting the most intense moments into reality on paper. Her words could change history, or at least, record it in the most human way possible. 

Will educators see the potential? Can poetry be a weapon? Do you still want to shut off your computer and scream? 

Notre Dame researchers will test a concussion-detection app on nearly a thousand high school and youth football players.

A voice-analysis program run on a tablet could help high school and youth coaches recognize concussions on the sidelines of football and other high-impact sport games.

Success Seminars and Workshops at UMBC. Through our PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), which welcomes students in graduate programs from any school within the University System of Maryland.

 Download the PDF: http://promiseagep.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/umbc-graduate-student-fall-2013-seminars.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UMBC can be found below.

• UMBC students must register at MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events
• Students from other schools should register by commenting on this thread with:
  • Name
  • School
  • Discipline
  • Event that you plan to attend
  • Date of the event.

Fall 2013

Seminars at UMBC.  Directions: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/about/contact/

Most seminars at UMBC will serve lunch or light refreshments. PROF-it Seminars on Fridays between 12 and 2:00 PM will be the exception. These are brown bag, bring your own lunch seminars.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers: Meta-Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling” Part 1: Introduction to meta-analysis and structural equation modeling. Basic concepts, theory, design, and relevant contexts.

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, September 20, 2013

Grad Student Seminar: PROF-it: Professors in Training: Learn   how to develop a syllabus.

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Linda Hodges, Director of the Faculty Development Center.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – How to plan a Budget.

COMM 329, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 4, 2013

PROF-it: “Introduction to the Goucher College Prison Education Partnership” [Placement Opportunity] PLUS “Public speaking in the Classroom, Part I”

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Amy Roza, Director of Goucher Prison Education Partnership, Goucher College and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers”: Part 2: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review: Avoiding bias in literature review and calculating effect sizes.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013,

Success Seminar: When Faculty Say ‘x’…

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speakers: UMBC Chairs, Graduate Program Directors, and Professors.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 2013,

Dissertation House: Employees & Non-Traditional Students.

COMMONS 331

Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dissertation Coach.

 ________________________________________________________________________

   Friday, October 18, 2013

PROF-it: “Teaching at a Community College – classroom management” PLUS “Public Speaking in the Classroom, Part II”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Dr. Dallas Dolan, The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, CCBC and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________

    Wednesday, October 23, 2013

    Success Seminar:  Responsible Conduct of Research and the IRB

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Timothy Sparklin, Human and Animal Research Protections Office.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 1, 2013

PROF-it: Understanding Teaching and Learning Styles”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Anne Spence, Professor of the Practice, Dept. Mechanical Engineering.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – Credit Scores

UC 312, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers:” Part 3: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Success Seminar: Is your writing in Jeopardy?

UC 312, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Sean Astrakhan, Writing Advisor GSA

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 6, 2013

PROF-it: “Addressing Hidden Challenges that Occur during the Teaching Experience”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: [PANEL] current and former PROF-it Fellows and Community College faculty.

 ________________________________________________________________________

 Friday, December 6, 2013

 Success Seminar: “Addressing Graduate Students’ Feelings of        

 Stress”

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School,

Associate Profession of Psychology

———————————————————————-

PhD Completion Workshops at College Park:

Download the PDF:   http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/PhD_Workshop%20uploads/Flyer_Fall13Workshops.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UM College Park can be found below.

Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

Friday, September 13, 2013
DISSERTATION AND THESIS TIME MANAGMENT
Marcia Marinelli, Learning Assistance Service, Counseling Center, University of Maryland
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013
Grant Writing and Fellowship Applications
Robert Porter, Director of Research Development at the University of Tennessee
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 15, 2013
CVs and Cover Letters
Becky Weir, Career Center and Veronica Perrigan, Engineering Co-Op and Career Services
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall
Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

_____________________________________________________________

Coming, Monday, November 4, 2013

A Special Program at UMB

Stay tuned to this page for updates.

Related articles

• Regional GEM GRAD Lab @ UVA Sat. Sept. 28 (Co-Sponsors: UMBC, UVA, VA Tech) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• UMBC Named Top Up-And-Coming University In The Nation (baltimore.cbslocal.com)

Success Seminars and Workshops at UMBC. Through our PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), which welcomes students in graduate programs from any school within the University System of Maryland.

 Download the PDF: http://promiseagep.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/umbc-graduate-student-fall-2013-seminars.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UMBC can be found below.

• UMBC students must register at MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events
• Students from other schools should register by commenting on this thread with:
  • Name
  • School
  • Discipline
  • Event that you plan to attend
  • Date of the event.

Fall 2013

Seminars at UMBC.  Directions: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/about/contact/

Most seminars at UMBC will serve lunch or light refreshments. PROF-it Seminars on Fridays between 12 and 2:00 PM will be the exception. These are brown bag, bring your own lunch seminars.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers: Meta-Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling” Part 1: Introduction to meta-analysis and structural equation modeling. Basic concepts, theory, design, and relevant contexts.

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, September 20, 2013

Grad Student Seminar: PROF-it: Professors in Training: Learn   how to develop a syllabus.

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Linda Hodges, Director of the Faculty Development Center.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – How to plan a Budget.

COMM 329, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 4, 2013

PROF-it: “Introduction to the Goucher College Prison Education Partnership” [Placement Opportunity] PLUS “Public speaking in the Classroom, Part I”

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Amy Roza, Director of Goucher Prison Education Partnership, Goucher College and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers”: Part 2: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review: Avoiding bias in literature review and calculating effect sizes.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013,

Success Seminar: When Faculty Say ‘x’…

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speakers: UMBC Chairs, Graduate Program Directors, and Professors.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 2013,

Dissertation House: Employees & Non-Traditional Students.

COMMONS 331

Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dissertation Coach.

 ________________________________________________________________________

   Friday, October 18, 2013

PROF-it: “Teaching at a Community College – classroom management” PLUS “Public Speaking in the Classroom, Part II”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Dr. Dallas Dolan, The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, CCBC and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________

    Wednesday, October 23, 2013

    Success Seminar:  Responsible Conduct of Research and the IRB

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Timothy Sparklin, Human and Animal Research Protections Office.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 1, 2013

PROF-it: Understanding Teaching and Learning Styles”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Anne Spence, Professor of the Practice, Dept. Mechanical Engineering.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – Credit Scores

UC 312, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers:” Part 3: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Success Seminar: Is your writing in Jeopardy?

UC 312, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Sean Astrakhan, Writing Advisor GSA

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 6, 2013

PROF-it: “Addressing Hidden Challenges that Occur during the Teaching Experience”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: [PANEL] current and former PROF-it Fellows and Community College faculty.

 ________________________________________________________________________

 Friday, December 6, 2013

 Success Seminar: “Addressing Graduate Students’ Feelings of        

 Stress”

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School,

Associate Profession of Psychology

———————————————————————-

PhD Completion Workshops at College Park:

Download the PDF:   http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/PhD_Workshop%20uploads/Flyer_Fall13Workshops.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UM College Park can be found below.

Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

Friday, September 13, 2013
DISSERTATION AND THESIS TIME MANAGMENT
Marcia Marinelli, Learning Assistance Service, Counseling Center, University of Maryland
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013
Grant Writing and Fellowship Applications
Robert Porter, Director of Research Development at the University of Tennessee
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 15, 2013
CVs and Cover Letters
Becky Weir, Career Center and Veronica Perrigan, Engineering Co-Op and Career Services
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall
Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

_____________________________________________________________

Coming, Monday, November 4, 2013

A Special Program at UMB

Stay tuned to this page for updates.

Related articles

• Regional GEM GRAD Lab @ UVA Sat. Sept. 28 (Co-Sponsors: UMBC, UVA, VA Tech) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• UMBC Named Top Up-And-Coming University In The Nation (baltimore.cbslocal.com)

The W3C Multimodal Interaction Working Group (MMI-WG) is pleased to announce the second webinar on "Developing Portable Mobile Applications with Compelling User Experience using the W3C MMI Architecture", to be held on September 24, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Prior to this second webinar, the MMI-WG held the W3C Workshop on Rich Multimodal Application Development on July 22-23 in New York Metropolitan Area, US, and identified that distributed/dynamic applications depend on the ability of devices and environments to find each other and learn what modalities they support. Therefore this second webinar will focus on the topic of device/service discovery to handle Modality Components of the MMI Architecture dynamically.

The discussion during the webinar will interest anyone who wants to take advantage of the dramatic increase in new interaction modes, whether for health care, financial services, broadcasting, automotive, gaming, or consumer devices.

Several experts from the industry and analyst communities will share their experiences and views on the explosive growth of opportunities for the development of applications that provide enhanced multimodal user-experiences. Read more and register for the webinar. Learn more about Multimodal Interaction at W3C.