Topic Modeling

CFP

Topic Modeling for Humanities Research solicits applications to attend this one-day National Endowment for the Humanities-funded workshop
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2012
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland USA
Time: 9 am to 5 pm

Applications Due (updated 8/13): August 27, 2012

The application period has ended.

Topic Modeling for Humanities will facilitate a unique opportunity for cross-fertilization, information exchange, and collaboration between and among humanities scholars and researchers in natural language processing on the subject of topic modeling applications and methods. The workshop will be organized into three primary areas: 1)an overview of how topic modeling is currently being used in the humanities; 2)an inventory of extensions of the LDA model that have particular relevance for humanities research questions; and 3) a discussion of software implementations, toolkits, and interfaces. The workshop will provide an opportunity for humanists and scholars working in natural language processing jointly to identify potential areas of research and development within applications, extensions, and implementation of topic modeling. Topic Modeling in the Humanities will provide humanities scholars with a deeper understanding of the vocabulary of LDA topic modeling (and other latent variable modeling methods) and best practices for interpreting the output of such analysis, and will articulate fundamental literary and historical questions for researchers outside of the humanities who are developing the models and methods (as well as the software implementations). The organizers encourage applications from faculty, staff, and graduate students, as well as other academics and the general public with a serious interest in natural language processing, topic modeling, and the literary and historical questions that intersect with these research areas.

The application submission period has ended. Applications should include an application statement (may consist of up to 2 pages) and a current curriculum vitae.

The application statement should directly address the following criteria:
1) how will participation in this workshop further your career advancement? Please include a statement of any current projects in topic modeling and skills you might bring to the workshop.
2) what do you see yourself accomplishing through participation in the workshop?
3) what resources might you anticipate contributing to potential areas of research and development within applications, extensions, and implementation of topic modeling post-workshop?
4) What kinds of work do you anticipate doing in related areas of research after the workshop?

Participants will be selected based on these criteria with each area being weighted equally. Notification of selection will be made by September 1st.

FAQ:
Q.) Who selects the participants?
A.) Participants for the workshop are selected by the Workshop Organizers and a team of invited speakers representing a cross-section of disciplinary interests. This team will strive to create a diverse, welcoming environment and especially encourage applications from minority applicants, women, junior scholars, and the general public.

Q.) Must I attend the full day of events?
A.) As the event lasts only a single day, we expect attendees to be present throughout the entire day. If you cannot attend the full day, we encourage you to participate in the event via twitter and our podcasts.

Q.) What if I want to present a paper?
A.) Due to the limited duration of the workshop, we are unable to accommodate the open submission of presentations. However, workshop attendees and those with a serious interest in topic modeling are welcome to contribute to our resources section. Please visit the resources page to contribute.

Q.) Can the Workshop provide accommodation and travel support?
A.) Unfortunately, Workshop organizers will only be able to be able to provide lunch and light refreshments in order to accommodate the broadest possible number of participants.

Q.) Can Workshop organizers help me secure funding from my campus or professional organization?
A.) Organizers would be happy to write a letter of support for any participant selected to attend to help them secure campus support. Please email mith@umd.edu to make this request after you’ve been notified of your selection.

Q.) What if I have other questions?
A.) Email mith@umd.edu with Topic Modeling in the subject line.