<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14"><meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 14"><link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01D051E6.E3CC7660"><link rel=Edit-Time-Data href="cid:editdata.mso"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='tab-interval:.5in'><div class=WordSection1><o:p> </o:p>DER Noontime Seminar Series <o:p></o:p>CEER Session: <o:p></o:p>"Avatars for Empowerment: A research trajectory aimed toward reducing the gender gap in STEM through avatar use"<o:p></o:p><img width=243 height=163 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01D051E3.B4635860"><o:p></o:p>Presenter: Rabindra (Robby) Ratan <o:p></o:p>Assistant Professor and AT&T Scholar at MSU's Department of Media & Information<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Tuesday, March 03, 2015<o:p></o:p>12:00-1:00pm<o:p></o:p>Room 3540 Engineering Building<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>ABSTRACT:<o:p></o:p>In contemporary computer-mediated environments (e.g., digital games and virtual worlds), users leave their bodies behind and presumably engage on a level playing field where identity characteristics—such as gender, race, and age—bear little relevance to performance. However, harmful stereotypes still pervade mediated environments, as highlighted by recently publicized instances of discriminatory behavior in such spaces. <o:p></o:p>In this talk, I will present findings from my research which suggest that gender stereotypes contribute to disparity in meaningful offline contexts, such as STEM fields. Given this connection, I will argue that elements of mediated communication environments—particularly avatars (i.e., virtual self-representations)—also have the potential to empower users and thus reduce disparities in such contexts. <o:p></o:p>I will present recent findings in which avatar characteristics influenced performance motivation on learning-related tasks, but differently for male and female participants. This work supports the potential of using avatars for empowerment, but more research is needed to identify what types of avatars and psychological experiences of avatar use (e.g., embodiment, identification) are most effective for what types of users and contexts. Such theoretically founded research would contribute insights into the ways in which avatars can be utilized most effectively to reduce disparity and promote positive outcomes in learning-oriented and other meaningful contexts. <o:p></o:p>To this end, I will conclude the talk by describing my new interdisciplinary research initiative—coined the Psychology of Avatar Uses for Empowerment Research (PAUER) Projects—on which all audience members will be invited to comment and contribute.<o:p></o:p>BIO:<o:p></o:p><a name=h.gjdgxs></a>Rabindra (Robby) Ratan is Assistant Professor and AT&T Scholar at MSU's Department of Media & Information, with an affiliate position in MSU's College of Education's program in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology. Dr. Ratan's research focuses primarily on the psychological experience of media use, with an emphasis on interactive environments (e.g., virtual worlds, video games, the road) that include mediated self-representations (e.g., avatars, automobiles).<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>Pizza and refreshments will be provided. <o:p></o:p>Please contact the Division of Engineering Research (DER) offices at 517-355-5103 to request special accommodations. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div></body></html>