[Ssnet_list] "The stories we tell [...] shape our future" | Op-Eds for Academics | Happening tomorrow and Thursday

[Monika Sengul-Jones via Ssnet_list]

Hey everyone,

Last week, Nassim Parvin (Information, UW Seattle) wrote an op-ed for *The
Seattle Times* on driverless cars and narratives about technology. Why now?
Here's the thing, Waymo, the driverless car company owned by Google’s
parent company, Alphabet, is soon going to be in the Seattle market. And at
the end of January, a Waymo vehicle struck a child pedestrian.
Badabing-bada-boom, two timely hooks!

Nassim Parvin is the Associate Dean for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity,
Access & Sovereignty (IDEAS) and a design professor with extensive
expertise in the ethical and political dimensions of technology. But her
opinion piece doesn't include her bio or a list of her publications or
discuss her research projects and leadership. Rather, her article uses
these timely hooks to bridge an important opinion: there’s a pervasive
narrative about technology that treats machines as superior, which means
failures are blamed on individuals rather than on system design--and this
is a problem!

She sharpens this opinion to a sparkle with illuminating evidence from her
research on the history of technology, cultural practices of tech, and tech
policy. Though she acknowledges there are reasons to disagree, but they’re
not the right reasons--affirming both her credibility and our perception of
her fairness. She closes with a cautionary suggestion for Seattle
policymakers and designers. What I love most is this titular line: “The
stories we tell about technology shape our cities and our civic future.”

It's true! And now a question for you, what stories are you going to tell
about technology? This week, you have an opportunity to consider that and
writing your opinion by attending one of two workshops on op-ed writing
that I'm co-hosting with Ali Durran (Center for an Informed Public, UW
Seattle). We will cover the ins and outs of opinion writing so that you
gain confidence in crafting a piece. You’ll practice using a timely hook,
bridging the hook to your opinion, and sparkling with your evidence--and
more. We’ll also have two special guests at each workshop and built-in time
for you to write and workshop your ideas.

There’s such incredible expertise here at this university -- I look forward
to your opinions about what you study and why it matters. See below for
details on how to join one of the workshops. Please share with others who
may be interested in this opportunity.

And Nassim, thanks for your timely article! I appreciate having such a good
hook! :)

*Op**-*Eds for Academics* | In-Person | Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 2:00–4:00
PM | William H. Gates Hall, 115 ABC – Perkins Coie Room | UW Seattle | UW
ONLY*
Op-Eds for Academics (In-Person Workshop)
A hands-on workshop for UW tri-campus scholars working on technology and
society topics. Participants will consider how to translate academic research
into persuasive public commentary. Hosted by Society + Technology at UW and
the Center for an Informed Public.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/inperson-opedsforacademics-uw


*Op-Eds for Academics | Online | Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 PM |
Zoom | UW ONLY*
Op-Eds for Academics (Online Workshop)
A hands-on online workshop for UW tri-campus scholars working on technology
and society topics. Participants will consider how to translate
academic research
into persuasive public commentary. Hosted by Society + Technology at UW and
the Center for an Informed Public.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/online-opedsforacademics-uw

Yours,

Monika Sengul-Jones (and on behalf of Ali Durran) |

Monika Sengul-Jones, PhD (she/her)
Director of Strategy and Operations
Society + Technology at UW
Hosted by the UW Tech Policy Lab
School of Law, UW Seattle
www.societyandtechnology.uw.edu
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