Organizing Committee
- Ron Buckmire
Occidental College - Drew Lewis
University of South Alabama - Omayra Ortega
Sonoma State University - Katharine Ott
Bates College - Matt Salomone
Bridgewater State University
Abstract
This workshop is designed to highlight the intersections between data science and social justice in K-16 education. The goals of this workshop are to 1) explore, and identify avenues to expand, current research on and methods for using data science in education; 2) raise awareness about research on issues of social justice in education and teaching pedagogy; and 3) work with community partners to create, evaluate and disseminate new K-16 curricular materials.
The week will focus on integrating computational social justice research methods, open problems, and best practices across different levels of training. Participants will collaborate on curating professional artifacts, such as: articulating collections of open problems in data science research in social justice; compiling a collection of computational social justice research projects; and developing course modules suitable for use in K-16 education. The results of these collaborations will be shared publicly by the organizers and participants to achieve the broadest impact.
While the workshop will be open to and beneficial for all researchers and educators who teach computationally focused courses, priority will be given to early-career faculty and advanced graduate students.

Confirmed Speakers & Participants
Talks will be presented virtually or in-person as indicated in the schedule below.
- Speaker
- Poster Presenter
- Attendee
- Virtual Attendee
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Brandi Adams
St. Charles Parish Public School System
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Nathan Alexander
Morehouse College
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Manuchehr Aminian
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
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Laurie Baker
College of the Atlantic
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Atilio Barreda
New York City College of Technology
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William Bork Rodriguez
Michigan State University
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Mark Branson
Stevenson University
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James Broda
Washington and Lee University
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Ron Buckmire
Occidental College
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Philip Chodrow
Middlebury College
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Maru Colbert
MIT
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Voula Collins
Service Robotics & Technologies
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Celisa Counterman
Northampton Community College
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Maria D’Orsogna
California State University, Northridge
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Carrie Diaz Eaton
Bates College
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Wynter Duncanson
MathWorks
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Dean Elzinga
IBM Research
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Claire Frechette
Boston College
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Rachel Frisbie
Michigan State University
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Helen Grundman
Bryn Mawr College
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Funda Gultepe
University of Toledo
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Juan Gutiérrez
University of Texas at San Antonio
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Maila Hallare
US Air Force Academy
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Patti Hamerski
Michigan State University
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Wesley Hamilton
MathWorks
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Joseph Hibdon
Northeastern Illinois University
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Jakini Kauba
Clemson University
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Lily Khadjavi
Loyola Marymount University
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Saeja Kim
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
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Drew Lewis
University of South Alabama
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Momin Malik
Mayo Clinic
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Geraldine Maskelony
Arlington Public Schools
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Ariana Mendible
Seattle University
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Trinidad Morales
Framingham State University
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Alonso Ogueda-Oliva
George Mason University
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Omayra Ortega
Sonoma State University
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Katharine Ott
Bates College
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Jose Pabon
New Jersey Institute of Technology
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Terrance Pendleton
Drake University
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Christopher Perez
Loyola University New Orleans
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Victor Piercey
Ferris State University
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Rachel Roca
Michigan State University
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Matt Salomone
Bridgewater State University
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Kiara Sanchez
College of the Holy Cross
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Bjorn Sandstede
Brown University
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Padhu Seshaiyer
George Mason University
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Bianca Thompson
Westminster College
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Chad Topaz
Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
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R. Uma
NC Central University
-
Eric Van Dusen
University of California, Berkeley
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Andres Vindas Melendez
University of California, Berkeley
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Thomas Wakefield
Youngstown State University
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Suzanne Weekes
SIAM
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Jevin West
Center for an Informed Public Information School, University of Washington
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Sam Zhang
University of Colorado, Boulder
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Heather Zinn Brooks
Harvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA, US)
Workshop Schedule
Monday, July 17, 2023
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9:00 - 9:10 am EDTWelcome11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Brendan Hassett, ICERM/Brown University
-
9:15 - 10:00 am EDTData Skills and Justice in the Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Chad Topaz, Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
- Session Chair
- Ron Buckmire, Occidental College
Abstract
While the importance of data science training has been highlighted by stakeholders across the mathematical sciences, the fusion of data skills with core parts of the curriculum has yet to be fully realized. In parallel to this challenge, the mathematical sciences are struggling with issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This talk presents pathways for incorporating data skills into undergraduate mathematics education in ways that support social justice. One pathway is through the classroom. I will present selected examples of course activities such as creation of computational art designed to celebrate artists from marginalized identity groups. A second pathway is through undergraduate research. I will showcase data-intensive student projects related to criminal justice. Finally, I will highlight resources for instructors who themselves want to grow their data skills and/or their understanding of social justice.
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10:15 - 10:30 am EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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10:30 - 11:15 am EDTThe Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Virtual Speaker
- Jevin West, Center for an Informed Public Information School, University of Washington
- Session Chair
- Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
Abstract
Today’s world is more thoroughly quantified than ever before. We are awash in numbers, statistics, and data-hungry algorithms. Quantitative information is power: it is used to convey objectivity, to strengthen arguments, and to inform decisions—and all too often it is used by humans and human-like chatbots to impress, overwhelm, and persuade without any conviction to truth. Fortunately, one doesn’t need an advanced degree in data science (although quite helpful) to see through the vast majority of quantitative misinformation. Drawing on examples from current events of misleading claims and misuses of artificial intelligence, this talk aims to empower data scientists and the everyday information consumer to push back when confronted by numerical arguments and data-hungry technologies. By focusing attention on the data sources and their weaknesses, rather than on the complex and often obscure algorithms and statistical procedures, we can see through the hype and hold our own against those selling quantitative snake-oil.
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11:30 am - 12:30 pm EDTProject IntroductionsProgram Overview - Virtual
- Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
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12:30 - 2:30 pm EDTNetworking LunchLunch/Free Time - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
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2:30 - 3:15 pm EDTData Science for Social Justice – A Tool for Broadening Participation on Dual Fronts11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- R. Uma, NC Central University
- Session Chair
- Katharine Ott, Bates College
Abstract
We use “Data Science for Social Justice” as a tool to broaden the participation of students from historically marginalized communities (HMC) in STEM by infusing social justice into STEM learning as well as to broaden the participation of students from non-STEM disciplines (where underrepresentation is not as big a problem) in data science by infusing data science into discussions on social justice issues relevant to their respective disciplines. In this talk I will discuss our methodology and experiences with past and on-going projects.
This is joint work with faculty and researchers from NC Central University (Alade Tokuta, and Rakesh Malhotra), Cynosure Consulting (Rebecca Zulli Lowe, and Adrienne Smith), Fayetteville State University (Sambit Bhattacharya), Winston-Salem State University (Debzani Deb), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Elisabeth Stoddard, and Marja Bakermans). -
3:30 - 4:00 pm EDTYellow Pig Day BreakCoffee Break - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
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4:00 - 4:45 pm EDTData, Justice, and K-16 Ed.11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speakers
- Wynter Duncanson, MathWorks
- Wesley Hamilton, MathWorks
- Session Chair
- Katharine Ott, Bates College
Abstract
In this presentation, the authors will talk about some of their strategies and approaches to incorporating justice-related themes in data science and math modeling education at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate (school) level. These include: developing extracurricular data science activities centering on climate change; developing community partnerships and involvement; engaging students through math modeling competitions; and hosting datathons centered on justice and activism.
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5:00 - 6:30 pm EDTReception11th Floor Collaborative Space
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
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9:15 - 10:00 am EDTHistories of African Americans Connecting Mathematics and Society11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Nathan Alexander, Morehouse College
- Session Chair
- Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
Abstract
The world often looks to philosophy and the social sciences as opposed to the mathematical sciences to discuss and explore topics related to equity, collective action, and justice. Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, African American scholars have taken social theories, which are strong in intuitive content, and expressed them in more formal terms using mathematics and data. Despite recent advances in discourses at the intersections of mathematics and social justice, the narratives and legacies of many of these African Americans who used mathematics and real-world data to understand society, especially in the American South, have been lost. This talk will explore the foundations of models used by African Americans to examine inequities in history with the intention of developing more just futures. More specifically, this talk will connect the intuitive aspects of a global experience to understand the means through which mathematics served as an integral tool for African Americans to not only speak to their experiences but also to the logic of democracy, race, and racism.
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10:15 - 10:30 am EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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10:30 - 11:15 am EDTData Science Modules with Berkeley's American Cultures Classes - Lessons from 5 years of collaboration between American Cultures faculty and Data Science Undergraduate Studies11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Eric Van Dusen, University of California, Berkeley
- Session Chair
- Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
Abstract
This talk will cover the collaboration between a Data Science Student team and the faculty of the American Cultures courses. The Data Science Modules student team is group of students who build interactive computational notebooks for faculty members. The American Cultures requirement is a university-wide requirement at Berkeley that all students take a class within a set of classes on American Cultures. The 5 year collaboration has led to the creation of innovative pedagogy in student explorations of applied datasets on topics such as mass incarceration, environmental racism, redlining, labor movements. etc. The talk will be paired with workshop opportunities of getting participants to interact with the computational notebooks and reflect on the pedagogical implications.
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11:30 am - 12:15 pm EDTPIC Math – Enabling external partnerships for student research experiences in data analytics11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Suzanne Weekes, SIAM
- Session Chair
- Ron Buckmire, Occidental College
-
12:30 - 2:30 pm EDTPIC Math lunch - Funded by MAA-SIAM PIC Math grantLunch/Free Time - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
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2:30 - 3:00 pm EDTParticipants form working groupsGroup Work - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
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3:00 - 3:30 pm EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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3:30 - 4:30 pm EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Work Space
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4:30 - 5:00 pm EDTReport OutMeeting - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
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5:00 - 6:30 pm EDT(Optional) Skills Workshop: Teaching about social justice with interactive computing and Jupyter notebooks as pedagogical toolsTutorial - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Eric Van Dusen, University of California, Berkeley
Abstract
The purpose of this workshop will be to give educators hands-on experience building and executing Jupyter notebooks for classroom use. Workshop participants can work through some example notebooks with social justice applications that have been used in UC Berkeley classrooms. Then workshop participants can practice building their own instructional notebooks. Using a cloud-based workshop hub, no set up is necessary and the workshop deployment will simulate the classroom environment.
This is an optional event, ICERM staff including IT support will not be available for this event.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
-
9:00 - 9:45 am EDTWhose data science? Empowering students through authentic engagement11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Lily Khadjavi, Loyola Marymount University
- Session Chair
- Matt Salomone, Bridgewater State University
Abstract
In Mathematics and Democracy, Lynn Steen and collaborators called for a literacy that ``empowers people by giving them the tools to think for themselves, to ask intelligent questions of experts, and to confront authority confidently.'' This sets an inspiring goal for data science curricula infused with issues of social justice. We can engage and motivate students with entry points that include local or regional data and by encouraging students to raise questions of their own. In this session, we’ll touch on simple examples that can be introduced in the classroom as shorter exercises or scaled up for student projects and beyond, even taking the instructor on unexpected journeys. For traditionally-trained mathematical scientists, creating more open-ended assignments connected to societal issues also raises questions around assessment. We’ll invite a group discussion sharing ways to approach this, both of student work and of our own as instructors.
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10:00 - 10:15 am EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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10:15 - 11:00 am EDTMathematics is the Gateway to Social Justice. Let’s quantify it.11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Juan Gutiérrez, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Session Chair
- Matt Salomone, Bridgewater State University
Abstract
The narrative of the mathematics profession is shaped by those elevated by institutions to leave a permanent record in the form of interviews, presentations, publications, reviews, etc. This begs the questions: Is access to this privileged discourse based on merit alone? If so, what are the pathways to gain such merit? Are they equitable? In this presentation, we will describe the effect of early access to mathematics on college performance. The analysis of national data describing access to Algebra II in high school, as well as the analysis of 5.5 million credit hours and 86k students over five years at The University of Texas at San Antonio, reveals that underperformance in mathematics is the single largest predictor of changing majors (including mathematics) or dropping out of college. This trend starts in K-12 with unevenness shaped by socioeconomic factors and continues through graduate education. These dynamics perpetuate a cycle of privilege and exclusion. A strategy based on data analytics was designed and implemented at UTSA. We will discuss substantial improvements in student performance and future directions that will guarantee that the face of success matches the face of society.
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11:00 - 11:15 am EDTGroup Photo (Immediately After Talk)11th Floor Lecture Hall
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11:15 am - 12:30 pm EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Space
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12:30 - 2:30 pm EDTLunch/Free Time
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2:30 - 4:00 pm EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Work Space
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4:00 - 4:30 pm EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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4:30 - 5:00 pm EDTReport OutMeeting - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
Thursday, July 20, 2023
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9:00 - 10:00 am EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Work Space
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10:00 - 10:30 am EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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10:30 am - 12:30 pm EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Work Space
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12:30 - 2:30 pm EDTPartnerships across industry, non-profits, and education LunchLunch/Free Time - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
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2:30 - 4:00 pm EDTGroup WorkAssigned Group Work Space
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4:00 - 4:30 pm EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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4:30 - 5:00 pm EDTReport OutMeeting - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
Friday, July 21, 2023
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9:00 - 10:00 am EDTFree Time / Final Group WorkGroup Work - Assigned Group Work Space
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10:00 - 10:30 am EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
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10:30 am - 12:30 pm EDTTransforming institutional practices through equitable and inclusive data science education pathways, programs and practicesTutorial - 11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Speaker
- Padhu Seshaiyer, George Mason University
- Session Chair
- Ron Buckmire, Occidental College
Abstract
In the last few years, there has been increasing focus on integrating data science into a wide range of higher education curricula through programs and pathways building from foundations in mathematics, statistics and computer science with applications to real-world problems arising from sectors including business, industry, government, health, education and much more. Along with this integration, it is also important to incorporate the importance of the power of data science methods to tackle pressing social justice challenges that can help to not only gain insights but also to improve decision-making and creation of sustainable and scalable solutions that will impact the society in an equitable and inclusive way. In this talk, we will describe examples of sustainable data science programs and pathways for developing innovative multi-disciplinary research and education opportunities to solve societal challenges with some relevant examples using various technology tools and problem-solving frameworks. We will also discuss potential opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate on new developments in data science to engage the next generation workforce.
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12:30 - 2:30 pm EDTLunch/Free Time
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2:30 - 4:00 pm EDTGroup Presentations11th Floor Lecture Hall
- Session Chair
- Drew Lewis, University of South Alabama
-
4:00 - 4:30 pm EDTCoffee Break11th Floor Collaborative Space
All event times are listed in ICERM local time in Providence, RI (Eastern Standard Time / UTC-5).
All event times are listed in .
ICERM local time in Providence, RI is Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5). Would you like to switch back to ICERM time or choose a different custom timezone?
Request Reimbursement
This section is for general purposes only and does not indicate that all attendees receive funding. Please refer to your personalized invitation to review your offer.
- ORCID iD
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-
- 1 roundtrip between your home institute and ICERM
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- Unacceptable Costs
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- Travel Maximum Contributions
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- New England: $350
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- Reimbursement Requests
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Request Reimbursement with Cube
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- Reimbursement Tips
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- Reimbursement Deadline
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Submissions must be received within 30 days of ICERM departure to avoid applicable taxes. Submissions after thirty days will incur applicable taxes. No submissions are accepted more than six months after the program end.