Conference examines managing information in digital age

How information is distributed, stored and processed in the digital age will be the subject of an international conference at UW–Madison on Monday-Friday, May 24-28.

Participants in “Data Futures: Building on 30 Years of Advocacy” will examine new issues and trends in managing and preserving information. They will draw parallels between new developments and principles that have emerged during the past 30 years.

The International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology is a leader in discussions and policy-making about information distribution, storage and availability, and about privacy concerns, says Cindy Severt, a UW–Madison librarian who is helping to organize the conference.

Emerging issues include globalization and commodification of data; integration of multimedia in research; and concerns about confidentiality that are facing nations and disciplines.

“Anyone on campus interested in social sciences data, online access to statistical resources, creation of data bases or area studies should think about attending,” Severt says. “Several of the sessions will examine data management in an international context.”

The conference takes place mostly at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. UW–Madison faculty, staff and students in social science and library departments can attend one or two sessions for free, not including food, beverages or conference materials.