Webbing Cyberfeminism Practices
Facilitated by Kris Blair (English) and Radhika Gajjala (IPC), this cluster focuses on cyberfeminism, specifically concerning technology issues surrounding young women and girls. The group focuses on issues of virtual kinship, identity, and empowerment within local and global academic and social spaces. Additionally, the cluster problematizes the extent to which social/cultural transformation in cyberspace is not only possible but realized in a variety of cyberfeminist webs, despite class and cultural restraints and established boundaries. Rather than privilege academic voices, the cluster attempts to establish close community partnerships in order to collect digital narratives. They are at work creating a research database about women's local and global techno-literacy practices and securing grant funding for creating online and face-to-face social networks for women and girls as part of their techno-literacy development.
The Digital Mirror
With the goal of increasing girls access and involvement in math and science, the cluster is collaborating with COSI Toledo to develop a summer program. COSI Toledo brings expertise in public science education and building excitement in science, math and technology to the program, as well as experience from an ongoing program serving middle and high school girls in the central city. The cluster brings the expertise and experience of committed women faculty and graduate students, as well as the university community and facility.
In August 2007 the cluster is planning to pilot a 3-4 day summer camp for seventh and eighth grade girls from the more rural areas of Northwest Ohio, with the possibility of building an ongoing followup program during the school year. In addition to encouraging girls to consider careers and education in math and science, the cluster would like to encourage them to become comfortable with the college campus and community.
Sample Documents and Activities
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