Events
Past Event
CANCELLED - POSTPONED: WED@NICO SEMINAR: Alina Arseniev-Koehler, Purdue University "Stigma's Uneven Decline"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
//
Lower Level, Chambers Hall
Details

This talk is postponed and will be rescheduled. We look forward to welcoming Professor Arseniev-Koehler in the next academic year.
Speaker:
Alina Arseniev-Koehler, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Purdue University
Title:
Stigma’s Uneven Decline
Abstract:
Has the stigma targeting diseases declined? We analyze 4.7 million news articles to create new measures of stigma for 106 health conditions from 1980-2018, using word embedding methods for text analysis. We then examine how this stigma changed for different types of conditions across time using mixed effects regression modeling. We find that in the 1980s, most diseases were marked by strong connotations of disgust, immorality, and negative personality traits. Since then, stigma declined dramatically for chronic illnesses: cancers, neurological conditions, genetic diseases, and many other conditions have shed most of their negative connotations. But for other types of conditions, stigma proved especially resistant to change. Across the decades, behavioral health conditions (mental illnesses, addictions, and eating disorders) persistently connoted immorality and negative personality traits. Infectious diseases remained strongly linked to attributions of disgust. Stigma has transformed from a sea of negative connotations surrounding most diseases to a narrower set of judgments targeting conditions where the primary symptoms are aberrant behaviors. (This talk is based on research with Rachel Best at the University of Michigan).
Speaker Bio:
Alina Arseniev-Koehler is a computational and cultural sociologist with substantive interests in language, health, and social categories. Alina strives to clarify core concepts and debates about cultural meaning in sociology. For example, how do individuals learn and deploy stereotypes? Empirically, Alina focuses on cases where meaning is linked to inequality and health, such as the moral meanings attached to body weight, the stigmatizing meanings of disease, and gender stereotypes. To investigate these topics, Alina uses computational methods and machine learning, especially computational text analysis.
Alina’s work also circles around a methodological question: how can scientists measure meanings encoded in text data, such as news articles and social media posts? Computational text analysis requires scientists to mathematically model the nuanced ways in which human language encodes and conveys meaning. As highlighted by Alina’s work, innovation in computational text analysis is tightly intertwined with innovation in theoretical understanding of meanings.
Alina received a B.A. in Sociology from University of Washington in 2014, and a master’s and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2022.
About the Speaker Series:
Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems and data science. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.
Time
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
Data Connection Hub - April Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
Details

The Data Connection Hub is being created as a transdisciplinary space which builds communication, understanding, and relationships across a variety of stakeholders while also highlighting local community-engaged and participatory data science efforts. Our monthly meetings and the accompanying Slack communities are meant to be broadly inclusive, and we welcome students and faculty from all Chicagoland Institutions, as well as community partners and those who wish to learn more.
This hub is jointly organized by the CONNECT Research Program and the Metropolitan Chicago Data-Science Corps Program.
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3XkaSKc
Time
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)