Cyber-Victimization, Automated Authority, and Interest Convergence explored through Elon Law’s faculty development lecture series

Law scholars William M. Carter, Jr. of Temple University Beasley School of Law, Jacqueline D. Lipton of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and Frank Pasquale of Seton Hall Law spoke at Elon University School of Law this year through the law school's faculty development lecture series.

The lecture series is designed to advance scholarship in the law by providing a venue for scholars to present works in progress and receive feedback from peers, while addressing research interests among the faculty at Elon Law and sustaining a robust culture of scholarly inquiry at the school.

On October 13, Lipton spoke on cyber-victimization, discussing a work in progress that proposes to address cyber-bullying and other forms of online abuse through reforms both in criminal and tort laws and in a broader “multi-modal regulatory framework,” including enhanced public education initiatives and the development of pro-bono reputation management strategies and reporting hotlines.

Lipton serves as Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research, Co-Director of the Center for Law Technology and the Arts and Associate Director of the Frederick K. Cox International Law Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

On March 1, Pasquale discussed a work in progress proposing objective audits of the automated systems used by large institutions to rank and rate individuals, information, and organizations in health, search engine, and finance sectors, arguing that transparency in the methodologies of “automated authorities” could safeguard against unintended economic stratification and unknown risk in markets among other things.

Pasquale is Schering-Plough Professor in Health Care Regulation and Enforcement and Associate Director of the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology at Seton Hall Law.

On April 7, Carter presented a work in progress positing that interest convergence theory helps to explain why one element of the Thirteenth Amendment, to eliminate the vestiges of slavery, has entered minimally into jurisprudence of liberty and equality.

Carter is Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Elon Law professor David Levine, who chairs the faculty development committee at Elon Law, commented on the lecture series.

“We were very fortunate to have three prolific scholars discuss their current research with us,” Levine said. “We are planning for next year and looking forward to expanding our efforts to bring other eminent scholars to Elon.”

In addition to the lecture series, the faculty development committee has organized internal works in progress talks throughout the academic year, scholarship exchanges with other law schools, and other formal and informal efforts aimed at supporting the scholarship endeavors of faculty at Elon Law.