Sign in

J. Stephen Downie

@profdownie.bsky.social
823 followers 1.3K following 153 posts

Professor, Executive Associate Dean, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois. Digital Humanities-Music Information Retrieval-Library and Information Science

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 11h
#job #academicPost #jobfairy #academic #canada #AI #philosophy #DH #DigitalHumanities #TT With some fabulous people.
002
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 5h
Caecilius est pater. Opening sentence in my highschool Latin text series, Cambridge Latin Course Book 1. Given that it is set in Pompeii, it does have a certain pyroclastic flow.
030
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Miriam Posner @miriamposner.com · 06/10/2026
It's arrived!! I gave this book everything I had and I hope there's something in here for you. It's not officially out until 10/20, but @yalepress.bsky.social seems to be shipping orders now. yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
A white woman with dark hair holds a book called Seeing Like a Supply Chain: The Hidden Life of Logistics, by Miriam Posner
3762793
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Richard Jean So @richardjeanso.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Cool job alert, this looks excellent: Cornell is hiring up to 5 postdocs in humanities/social sciences & AI. 2 year positions. jobs.chronicle.com/job/38045266...
jobs.chronicle.com
Postdoctoral Assoc: Artificial Intelligence in Humanities & Social Sciences - Ithaca, New York job with College of Arts & Sciences | 38045266
Two-year postdoctoral fellowship focused on artificial intelligence in the humanities and social sciences.
01920
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Wrapping up an awesome weekend ride to Indy. Near perfect weather. Fun watching the harvest.
130
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ryan Cordell @ryancordell.org · 04/10/2026
Our @skeuomorphpress.org tent & students are all set for live printing at Homecoming with our new Book Beetle press! It’s the Beetle’s first real event
1296
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe @lisalibrarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Honored to be invited to be interviewed for this women in scholarly publishing series: www.researchinformation.info/analysis-opi...
researchinformation.info
Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe: ‘We’re in a time of great messiness’ - Research Information
The librarian and educator and talks about information literacy, research integrity, AI, and never waiting for permission
061
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Brett Bobley @brettbobley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Big congrats to the amazing @alondra.bsky.social for winning an AI2050 Senior Fellowship from @schmidtsciences.bsky.social. ai2050.schmidtsciences.org/fellow/alond...
ai2050.schmidtsciences.org
Alondra Nelson - AI2050
Alondra Nelson studies how people build, marshal, and live through new scientific and technological developments, and traces what that work makes possible or forecloses for life chances and democratic...
27010
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 30/09/2026
POLITICAL SCIENCE JOB AD: Tenure-track position in International Relations at the University of Waterloo. We're *very happy* to announce this. Applications due Nov. 1st; job start date July 2027. Details here (pdf): uwaterloo.ca/arts/sites/d...
uwaterloo.ca
14640
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Daniel van Strien @danielvanstrien.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Uploaded a dataset of 98,877 historical newspaper pages (1700s–1940s) to the Hub, each with its original OCR text, word boxes and confidence scores. huggingface.co/datasets/big...
Sample grid of newspapers in the dataset
24917
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Matthew Noe @noethematt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Look at all the cool kids! www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Librarians Discuss the Challenges and Triumphs of Running a Library Today
We asked dozens of them about America’s libraries — what they provide, what they need to survive. Here’s what they told us.
1419
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
James Neal @james3neal.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"Internet Archive Receives IMLS Grant to Expand Access to Local and State Government Information" blog.archive.org/2026/09/10/a... #IMLSgrant
blog.archive.org
Internet Archive Receives IMLS Grant to Expand Access to Local and State Government Information - Internet Archive Blogs
Internet Archive has received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support the development of ATLAS (Access To Local And State government information), a digital preservation program for state and local government agencies. Government information and documentation is an essential part of our shared public record. From local policies and public
142
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Meredith Martin @mmvty.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Have a smallish piece of new research at the intersection of humanities & machine learning or cultural analytics to share? Pitch it to @lbmcgrath.bsky.social, the special features editor of @culturalanalytics.bsky.social!
13226
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This is the sorting activity that caught my eye when first introduced to Unplugged: classic.csunplugged.org/documents/ac... classic.csunplugged.org/videos/#sort...
020
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I can see the sorting exercise being tricky online!
110
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Have you looked at CS Unplugged? Also has activities that you might borrow: classic.csunplugged.org/books/
classic.csunplugged.org
The Book
English # All the English-language CS Unplugged activities are available in book form as a free download. If you’d like a bound, printed copy of the English version, it’s available from lulu.com; if y...
161
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#iSchoolUI Assistant Professor Jill Naiman’s research explores how AI can help scientists work more efficiently, while also ensuring accuracy, trust, and understanding in the research process. Learn more in this video ▶️ youtu.be/VPtHLjOewvk
youtu.be
iSchool Assistant Professor Jill Naiman: Using AI to Support Scientific Discovery
YouTube video by iSchool at Illinois
021
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ian Milligan @ianmilligan1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Our new School is happy to announce our very first tenure-track hiring opportunity. We're hiring a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in International Relations beginning 1 July 2027. Please share with your networks. universityaffairs.ca/search-jobs/...
universityaffairs.ca
Search Jobs - University Affairs
Explore the latest academic and higher education job opportunities on the University Affairs Jobs board. Updated daily, our job board features hundreds of teaching, research, postdoctoral, administrat...
034
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ryan Cordell @ryancordell.org · 28/09/2026
This post is justifiably ratio’ed there’s nothing I love more than when engineering students come into @skeuomorphpress.org—they’re fascinated by our collections in ways distinct from history/humanities students & their responses enrich learning for everyone Education should be broad, not narrow
1264
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
NISO @nisoinfo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Special thanks to Working Group co-chairs Bill Kasdorf, Jacob Jett, and @profdownie.bsky.social !
021
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ryan Cordell @ryancordell.org · 26/09/2026
Today Craig—the retired Iowan printer we bought ~250 cases of type from last year—visited @skeuomorphpress.org with his family. @sophie-rose-reads.bsky.social & I really enjoyed showing them the press & chatting about the history of Craig’s press we inherited & hope to pass on to the next generation
2276
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Big fan of The Expanse!
010
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
NISO @nisoinfo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Our draft Accessibility Remediation Metadata (ARM) standard is now available for public comment! The deadline for feedback is November 9. Thank you to our ARM Working Group members for their efforts to help make educational resources more accessible to all: www.niso.org/press-releas...
Cover page of NISO Z39.107-202x, ISSN 1041-5653, titled "Accessibility Remediation Metadata." Beneath the NISO logo and tagline "How the information world connects," the abstract explains that the standard provides a vocabulary for expressing how, and how far, a resource has been remediated to be more accessible to people with disabilities. It is offered in both human-readable and machine-readable forms.
123
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Pull the goalie, I am going full Leamington!
010
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Jim Casey @jimccasey1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We've made a lot of progress on OCR + HTR, but nothing breaks a layout parser like Cattle Text Recognition (CTR)
Screenshot of a newspaper page from 1908 with little pictures of cows and their brands.
0145
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Quinn Daedal @quinnanya.me · 19/09/2026
Of all the ways I imagined Google Scholar going up in flames, being made inaccessible from university IP addresses due to AI-driven scraping wasn't at the top of my list.
229694
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
David Mimno @dmimno.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A university founded in the Middle Ages in a city that centers itself around a Medieval castle does not see a need to study Medieval History
35122
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Lauren Klein @laurenfklein.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My students! My team! Their smiling faces!
2275
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Theo Ward @theoward.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Excited to participate in the opening of London, Ontario's inaugural (unbelievably so) IRISH FEST. A chat and a reading of new work by our own Emma Donoghue, followed by music from Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps. Lots more music and fun on Saturday in Wortley Village if you're nearby! #LdnOnt
031
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Brett Bobley @brettbobley.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Congratulations to the best paper awardees at the AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference. The awards are sponsored by @schmidtsciences.bsky.social. #FF2026
12 people on stage to receive their awards.Electronic sign that says AI4LAM FF2026 Conference Reception and Innovation Awards and a Schmidt Sciences logo.
0121
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Safe travels. Our pal Glen also had adventures.
010
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ian Petrie @icpetrie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
JOB: TT Assistant Professor, Philosophy, University of Toronto Mississauga Ethics and/or Social and Political Philosophy The capacity to teach Feminist Philosophy is an asset for this position universityaffairs.ca/search-jobs/...
154
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
SHARP News @sharpnews.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Did you or a friend complete a thesis or dissertation on a book history topic between 2024 and 2025? Submit the information here to have it included in our SHARP 2024-2025 Thesis and Dissertation Biliography! #Thesis #Dissertation #Research #BookHistory Submit: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
SHARP Thesis/Dissertation Bibliography Submission Form 2024/2025
Use this form to submit citation information about book history theses and dissertations completed between 2024 and 2025. Guidelines Dissertations and theses about book history (interpreted broadly, ...
0811
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
All good. My dad taught at Northern before I went (79-83), then taught at SCITS. He was oddly proud of Kim Mitchell and the fact he was from Sarnia.
010
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Moi aussi. Go, Vikings!
110
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Max Webster!
110
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
#iSchoolUI Professor Jingrui He and Professor Hanghang Tong (Siebel School) are part of a $14.2M @departmentofenergy.bsky.social project developing GridFM, a next-generation AI foundation model for the electric grid. The project aims to accelerate grid expansion planning. ▶️ bit.ly/4r0HloT
iSchool Professor Jingrui He
001
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
David Silkenat @davidsilkenat.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Assistant Prof in American Legal History at UF explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/54...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu
University of Florida - Details - Assistant Professor US Legal History– Tenure Accruing, Department of History
036
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Skeuomorph Press & BookLab @skeuomorphpress.org · 31/08/2026
On Dec. 4th, Bonnie Mak & Julia Pollack will join to us for “If these pages were blank, it would have been intentional.” No flyer for that one yet, but there’s more info at skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/our-research... We are excited for talks that bridge information science & the humanities!
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu
“Media Necromancy” Series – Skeuomorph Press
032
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Theodor Dunkelgrün @theodunkelgrun.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The Department of History at @princeton.edu invites applications from scholars who specialize in the history of Britain and its empire for a tenure-track job in #earlymodern or #modern #british #history apply.interfolio.com/190698
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
03130
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Travis Wagner (they/them) @drtlwagner.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
If you haven’t had the fortune of seeing @jameshodges.net talk about his work it is always a good time and it is incredible to see him talk through the deeply social realities of engaging with technology in a historic way. Put simply, this talk is gonna rip!
165
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Skeuomorph Press & BookLab @skeuomorphpress.org · 31/08/2026
We have great talks coming up in our “Media Necromancy” speaker series this fall! On Oct. 30th @jameshodges.net will help us launch the Undead Media Lab with “Converting Consciousness into Digital Data: A Haunting History of Information Technologies” skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/our-research...
Converting Consciousness into Digital Data: A Haunting History of Information Technologies
When: Friday, October 30th 12-1pm
Who: James A. Hodges, San José State University School of Information
Where: Skeuomorph Press, CU Community Fablab, 1301 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
Also: There will be snacks!
Additional note: This talk will also be part of our official launch of Skeuomorph’s Undead Media Lab!
A specter is haunting digital media— the specter of print. Presenting an overview of case studies from his forthcoming book Psychedelic Software (MIT Press, 2027), James A. Hodges will excavate the printed origins of contemporary ideographic and time-stamped writing forms in mid-1960s experiments with Xerox machines, a modified “lie detector,” and psychoactive chemicals like psilocybin and LSD. These media experiments, undertaken along the margins of MIT and Harvard by countercultural researchers heavily inspired by Marshall McLuhan, pioneered the translation of conscious experience into codified data using electronic information technologies. Although they were motivated by a quest for self-actualization, they also conjured up new forms of surveillance and alienation. Using tools like a modified polygraph or a printed checklist to track their spiritual awakenings under LSD, participants in these studies were tasked with recording their own deeply personal experiences as if they were business memos. By closely examining both the formal and political histories of these information practices, this talk will also reveal the legacies of exploited labor, prison research, mind control, and drug abuse that haunt now-ubiquitous forms of communication like social media and emoji.
132
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Andromeda Yelton @thatandromeda.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
HI are you an engineering manager? Do you want to manage MY TEAM and do mission-focused work helping people get college degrees? I have been dual-classed as our lead and our manager for the last few months so I'm happy to answer questions about how awesome the team is. www.ithaka.org/job/47282830...
ithaka.org
Engineering Manager, Transfer Explorer - ITHAKA
ITHAKA’s mission is to expand access to knowledge and education around the world. Our services — JSTOR, Portico, and Ithaka S+R — enable people everywhere to learn, to grow, and to overcome barriers t...
156
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Also, if running or biking, you only need to push x miles (radial) from home. Once there, you need to do x one more time. Kinda magic. And, the trip home can be more relaxed as you know you will be meeting today's goal.
010
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Counting up and down. Create a *zillion* metrics. Time from start Time to end Distance Calories Etc One of them will be close enough to a milestone that you will keep going for x more units. We humans love round numbers!
210
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Poured myself a cup of ambition and sat down to the paper. Not bad for a girl born to be a stereotype…and Dolly, of course.
11123886
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
We'd fire no guns, shed no tears Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
020
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Melissa Terras @melissaterras.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Pleased to say our new book "Critical Approaches to Automated Text Recognition: Transcribing Historical Documents in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" has just been submitted to Facet! Co-edited with @jnockels.bsky.social @semames.bsky.social & Paul Gooding. 10 chapters of 🧐 to 👩‍💻📜. Out Spring 27!
1525
J. Stephen Downie @profdownie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Crowation?
010
Reposted by J. Stephen Downie
Ryan Cordell @ryancordell.org · 27/08/2026
Ok I can share—today MSLIS student Nadja Robot donated a teletype machine to @skeuomorphpress.org’s Undead Media Lab But this is not just any teletype—it’s the one Michael S. Hart used to digitize the Declaration of Independence & Alice in Wonderland—the 1st texts in what became Project Gutenberg
1033792