Bruce Fulton writes “Information Ethics Roundtable Registration Now Open Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Property the Focus of the 2007 Conference March 23-25 in Tucson
Researchers, educators and practitioners from a variety of disciplines including philosophy, law, archaeology, environmental studies, journalism, American Indian studies and library and information science will convene at the University of Arizona March 23-25 to participate in the 2007 Information Ethics Roundtable. The Roundtable is dedicated to exploration of issues surrounding access to information, information privacy, intellectual property and intellectual freedom
Bruce Fulton writes “Information Ethics Roundtable Registration Now Open Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Property the Focus of the 2007 Conference March 23-25 in Tucson
Researchers, educators and practitioners from a variety of disciplines including philosophy, law, archaeology, environmental studies, journalism, American Indian studies and library and information science will convene at the University of Arizona March 23-25 to participate in the 2007 Information Ethics Roundtable. The Roundtable is dedicated to exploration of issues surrounding access to information, information privacy, intellectual property and intellectual freedom.
This year’s Roundtable theme is Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Property: The Ethics of Cultural and Environmental Sovereignty and Stewardship. The two-and-a-half-day conference features discussion, research and lectures by nationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Members of the public as well as interested scholars and members of the academic community are invited to register at http://sir.arizona.edu/ier/ to attend this free conference.
According to conference chair and School of Information Resources and Library Science Senior Lecturer Kay Mathiesen, “Information access and the free flow of information often collide with the values and claims of native and indigenous people over access to cultural knowledge and other aspects of culture such as art, medicine and artifacts when used in non-traditional ways.†Mathiesen cautions that balancing a respect for tribal sovereignty and the cultural property rights of native people within a framework of open access and scholarly research often means navigating a minefield of ethical dilemmas and conflicting views.
“Researchers and other experts from a variety of disciplines will present ways of thinking about access to cultural knowledge and research that respects native traditions and practices,†she said, adding that, “We’re also excited this year to present some of our graduate students’ work in these areas through poster sessions and informal discussion.â€
American Library Association President-elect Loriene Roy will provide the keynote address Friday, March 23, at 6:00 pm in the James E. Rogers College of Law Auditorium, 1201 E. Speedway. Roy will draw on her own background as both a librarian and American Indian in order to focus on the need to respect tribal sovereignty and respect and observe intellectual and cultural property rights within a framework of intellectual freedom and access to information. The public is invited to the speech and the reception that follows. There is no charge to attend either, and registration is not required for the keynote event.
Other conference activities start Friday afternoon, March 23 , at 1:00 pm and run through 12:20 pm on Sunday, March 25. Featured speakers include Marlene Brant Castellano (Mohawk), emerita professor, native studies, Trent University, Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics, Canada; Leslie Francis, professor and chair, philosophy, Alfred C. Emery Professor of Law, University of Utah; Nicole Hassoun, philosophy, The University of Arizona; and David Wong, philosophy, Duke University ( joint paper); James Nason, emeritus professor of anthropology, emeritus director of museology, emeritus curator of Pacific and American ethnology, Burke Museum, University of Washington; George Nicholas, archaeology, Simon Fraser University; Rebecca Tsosie, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, Arizona State University; James O. Young, philosophy, University of Victoria; Kevin R. Kemper, department of journalism, University of Arizona; Gavin Clarkson, School of Information, School of Law, Native American studies, University of Michigan; and Betsy Brandt, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University.
This year’s Ethics Roundtable has been organized in consultation with The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, Research Group on the History and Philosophy of Information Access, and The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science. It is supported by funds from the Morris K. Udall Foundation and the School of Information Resources and Library Science. Additional funding for Roy’s reception is courtesy of the Arizona Library Association.
There is no charge for conference attendance, but registration is required as space is limited. Participants may review conference details and register online at http://sir.arizona.edu/ier/. For more information, call 520-621-5219.
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Contact: Kay Mathiesen
University of Arizona
School of Information Resources and Library Science
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 520-621-5219
Web: http://sir.arizona.edu/ier/“
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