Wrap Up Meeting of the 3rd INSTeM Convention, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Shin Mizukoshi)
I have published a report on the 3rd INSTeM Convention 2026 Spring @ Ritsumeikan OIC, held on 14 March, entitled ‘Literacy for Adults: Collaboration Amidst Division’, on the INSTeM website. I apologise for the long delay
I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to the staff and students of the College of Arts and Design at Ritsumeikan University, the 19 exhibitors, and all the participants. Was it great fun, wasn’t it?
Looking ahead, I believe a key challenge will be how to maintain and develop the network of people who attend each convention. We, the INSTeM members, are currently discussing specific measures to achieve this. We look forward to your continued support.
Title: Why Public Interest Technology Matters: A Cross-cultural Exchange for Equitable and Inclusive Technology Development
Registration for this event is closed. (October 18, 2024)
Abstract: Professor Kathleen M. Cumiskey of City University of New York will discuss about Public Interest Technology at the 5th Media Studies Forum.
Public Interest Technology (PIT) is an interdisciplinary and practical approach to create, support, and develop a movement in which people use technology for the public interest and as a tool to solve social problems while resisting the spread of capitalist technology, as typified by GAFAM, across the media landscape. The development of PIT requires collaboration across boundaries between academia, government, communities, and individual users. PIT is still little known in Japan. How can technology support the public interest through collaboration among technologists, policymakers, civic groups, academics, and students?
In this meeting, Professor. Cumiskey will first present the history and overall picture of PIT and its potential and challenges. Then, Haruka Iharada (curator and activist of art and culture in Asia) and Shin Mizukoshi (media studies and education) will discuss from Asian or Japanese social contexts, moderated by Mari Nagatomi (American culture and popular music studies.)
This event is co-hosted by INSTeM（Inter-field Network for Science, Technology and Media Studies, a foundation that serves as a nexus that bridges professionals and non-professionals, universities and society. MSF and INSTeM hope that cross-cultural discussions will flourish based on the topics provided by Professor Cumiskey.
The meeting will be a HyFlex event. There is no participation fee, but advance registration is required. Presentations will be given in English, and discussions will be held in English and Japanese. After the session, a dinner party with face-to-face participants will be held.
We look forward to your participation.
Date: 15:00-17:30, Saturday, October 19, 2024 (JST)
