Gender in Virtual Worlds

I don't want to clog up the group by posting the whole program, so here it is in abbreviated form. Go to this link for the full description
http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/collingwood7/minerva/conference.html

Virtual Praxis: A Conference on Women's Community in Second Life

To be held on Minerva, the teaching and research space in Second Life maintained by The Department of Women’s Studies, Ohio State University
Saturday, November 15, 2008

Preliminary Program

SESSION 1: 9:00 am PST

Virtual Concerts in the Park
Linda Rogers (Second Life: Kate Miranda)
Executive Director
Toronto Philharmonia

Virtual Praxis: In the Director's Chair

Phylis Johnson, Ph.D. (SL: Sonicity Fitzroy)
Associate Professor & Interim Chair
Department of Radio-Television
Southern Illinois University

The Women of Chilbo

Chris Collins (Second Life: Fleep Tuque)
Instructional & Research Computing
University of Cincinnati

SESSION 2: 12 noon PST

A Village of our Own

Leta Hendricks, MA, MS (Second Life: Tamu Oh)
Librarian
The Ohio State University

Gender and Race in Ultra-Conservative Groups in Second Life

Randolph Hollingsworth, Ph.D. (Second Life: Bella Yan)
Assistant Provost
University of Kentucky

Performing Virtual Women’s Community

Lea Popielinski (Second Life: Lette Ponnier / Laertes Parx)
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Women's Studies
The Ohio State University

SESSION 3: 2 pm PST

Panel discussion: Is Second Life a welcoming space for women?

As educators, business people, community activists, artists and musicians, women make a strong contribution to Second Life society. According to the last published metrics from Linden Lab, 40% of user hours in Second Life are spent by people who self-report as female. While their achievements are to be seen everywhere in our virtual world, the energy and creativity of women in our community may face obstacles. Although no formal studies have been published, there is anecdotal evidence of harassment and intimidation. This panel will be one of the first attempts to assess the problem, beginning with a discussion our own personal experiences.

Participants TBA