[CEER Internal List 108] FW: DER Noontime Seminar Series- "Avatars for Empowerment: A research trajectory aimed toward reducing the gender gap in STEM through avatar use" Tuesday 03/03/15

[Mark Urban-Lurain]

DER Noontime Seminar Series 
CEER Session: 
"Avatars for Empowerment: A research trajectory aimed toward reducing the
gender gap in STEM through avatar use"

Presenter: Rabindra (Robby) Ratan 
Assistant Professor and AT&T Scholar at MSU's Department of Media &
Information
 
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
12:00-1:00pm
Room 3540 Engineering Building
 
 
ABSTRACT:
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.
BIO:
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).
 
 
 
 
Pizza and refreshments will be provided. 
Please contact the Division of Engineering Research (DER) offices at
517-355-5103 to request special accommodations. 
 
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