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Welcome to
#Connexions

Developing Global Leadership for the Networked Information Age
ABOUT #CONNEXIONS

expanding
expertise+exchange

#Connexions is a Texas-based platform housed at one of the premiere R1 research institutions in the world. We drive multisector, interdisciplinary, and international partnerships that encourage creative and diverse solutions for the information space. In an era defined by rapid information evolution, our mission is to educate leaders and foster a dynamic community that explores critical issues, innovates unique solutions, and challenges current narratives shaping our hyper-connected world.

Our yearly conference is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of information disorder, civil (dis)engagement, and the digital (r)evolution. We invite thought leaders, scholars, and professionals from diverse fields to engage in a multifaceted exploration of how these phenomena affect social dynamics, governance, political movements, regional conflicts, and everyday life.

Our Vision

Our vision

For the network age, we need networked leaders. At #Connexions, we aim to both nurture up-and-coming leaders and bring together experts globally who are already effectively leading and innovating in the information space. Through collaborative discourse, cultural education, technical skills development, innovative and interdisciplinary exchange, #Connexions endeavors to empower individuals and organizations to develop expertise, growth mindset, and strategic vision for our volatile and highly complex international environment.

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Goals
Interdisciplinary Collaboration

  • #Connexions serves as a collaboration network, bringing together diverse minds to address global challenges from multiple perspectives.

Global Mindset

  • We strive to encourage critical thinking and develop globally minded leaders, recognizing the interconnectedness of our world and preparing individuals to navigate the complexities of a networked society.

Innovative Solutions

  • We embrace the opportunities and challenges the information revolution presents and seek to harness the technologies and products of the digital age for the purpose of improving the health and security of our information environment.

Leadership Development

  • Through conferences, workshops, and collaborative initiatives, #Connexions is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of world leaders equipped to address the inescapable chaos of the network age.

Our programs

#Connexions Experts: From Grozny to Mariupol
Martin Klus - Slovakia episode on SlavX
#Connexions Experts: Anton Shingarev
SlavX hosts interviewing Robert Freedman
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Public Programming

We've developed a variety of programming designed to increase public scholarship and make foreign policy accessible to a broader audience. Our Experts speaker series, launched in Fall 2023, is one example of our aim to offer substantive programming by experts in their field and region. We are always adding more, so check back for announcements throughout the year!

Bravehearts: The Story of the Chechen Fight for Independence#Connexions Experts
00:00 / 01:04
EXPLORE
Workshops

For all our exchange programs, we offer workshops on a variety of topics from design thinking to social media marketing to tools for tracking disinformation.

State Department exchange fellows at UT Austin
State Dept exchange fellows at KLRU studios
State Dept exchange fellows at KLRU studios
EXPERIENCE
Vision-building opportunities

We are driven by the conviction that cross-cultural experiences and connections positively impact leadership development. In any exchange programs that we run or contribute to, we do our best to provide inspiring experiences that encourage creative thinking and both personal and professional growth.

EXCHANGE
From the Forty Acres to the World

We partner locally with Texas Global, the College of Liberal Arts, and institutions around Austin to create opportunities for real-time exchange between UT students and faculty and individuals in other countries. (Fun fact: we were using Zoom for virtual exchange before Zoom became globally popular.)

Participants at the American Center in Moscow/US Embassy taking part in a virtual exchange with UT Austin students for the Diplomacy at Texas series
Graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin in the studio talking with the American Center in Moscow for the Diplomacy at Texas series
Students in the American Center in Moscow participating in a a virtual exchange with students at The University of Texas at Austin

OUR EVENTS

No upcoming events at the moment

OUR PAST EVENTS

2024 Connexions Conference: Promo
00:51
#Connexions at UT Austin

2024 Connexions Conference: Promo

#Connexions is a Texas-based platform housed at one of the premiere R1 research institutions in the world. In an era defined by rapid information evolution, our mission is to drive multi-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration, educate leaders, and foster a dynamic community that explores key issues, innovates solutions, and challenges current narratives shaping our hyper-connected world. The upcoming conference, March 18-20, 2024, is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of information disorder, civil (dis)engagement, and the digital (r)evolution. We invite thought leaders, scholars, and professionals from diverse fields to engage in a multifaceted exploration of how these phenomena affect social dynamics, governance, political movements, regional conflicts, and everyday life. For more information, visit https://connexions.ai/2024. Video created by Connexions at UT Austin with background music by Beat Mekanik "Drums Percussion Stomp."
1. #Connexions24: State of the Information Address (Keynote)
38:33
#Connexions at UT Austin

1. #Connexions24: State of the Information Address (Keynote)

Speaker: Peter Pomerantsev Discussant: Lee McIntyre
2. Tip of the Spear: A Report from the Frontlines of the War on Disinformation
01:01:45
#Connexions at UT Austin

2. Tip of the Spear: A Report from the Frontlines of the War on Disinformation

Moderator: Lee McIntyre Panelists: Nina Jankowicz, Tiffany Hsu, Jess Dawson, Roman Osadchuk This panel explores the ever-evolving battlefield of disinformation with seasoned experts who are at the frontlines. Gain insights into the latest tactics, technological advancements, and global trends that are shaping the ongoing battle to combat disinformation. This session unveiled strategies, challenges, and successes in the relentless fight against the manipulation of information.
3. From Reactive to Proactive: The United States & Information Warfare
01:15:20
#Connexions at UT Austin

3. From Reactive to Proactive: The United States & Information Warfare

Moderator: Kevin Lentz (GDIL) Panelists: Matt Armstrong, Adam Sikes, Jeff Trimble This panel explores the following: the importance of information strategies in strategic competition; historical and current U.S. experiences of information warfare; how our adversaries and competitors conduct information warfare; the way different U.S. agencies and organizations think about and organize information warfare; the difficulties of conducting information warfare in an open liberal democracy; and finally what can and should be done to situate the U.S. information warfare community to prevail in the current long term strategic competition.
4. Civic Disengagement: Rebuilding Public Trust in Established Institutions
01:14:25
#Connexions at UT Austin

4. Civic Disengagement: Rebuilding Public Trust in Established Institutions

Moderator: Robin Lerner Panelists: Justin Dyer, Sherri Greenberg, Amy Leff, Lee McIntyre In an era marked by pervasive skepticism, polarization, and disillusionment, rebuilding public trust in established institutions is an imperative albeit seemingly impossible challenge. This panel will explore the reasons why public trust in established institutions has diminished, including the obfuscation of truth, news media’s selective attention, and the holes of the rules-based system that America has long claimed to uphold. From healthcare to government, the discussion will broach the subject of how disinformation and social media platforms are playing a marked role in the widespread erosion of faith in even higher education. What policies and initiatives are being tested now and what more can be done to bridge the gap between government, institutions, and the public to renew trust. Or must the "systems" themselves be reimagined in order to re-engage the public? @utaustinvicepresidentforre8626 @UTAustin @lbjschool
5. #Connexions24 Workshop: Create Your Fake Persona (with John Hammond)
01:34:17
#Connexions at UT Austin

5. #Connexions24 Workshop: Create Your Fake Persona (with John Hammond)

Workshop presented by @_JohnHammond Description: Say we put our hacker hat on and we act as the adversary... how do these threat actors or scammers build out these fake accounts? With either misinformation, malware, cybercrime, social engineering and more -- we need to understand the offense to have a stronger defense. In this workshop we'll get hands-on and practical to craft our own sock puppet, and learn just how (scary) easy it is for bad actors. With that insight, we'll be better armed as a community to detect, identify and counteract misinformation alongside tactics & strategies for your own anonymity and security.

Our partners

SlavX logo primary
CREEES primary logo
GDIL primary logo
Texas International Education Consortium logo
Clements Center primary logo

OUR TEAM

Connect with us

Burdine Hall, 2505 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78712

For all inquiries:

connexions@utexas.edu

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If you're interested in participating in a #Connexions event or partnering with us as a sponsor, please fill out the form or send an email to connexions@utexas.edu and we will get back to you promptly!

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