A cohort of Texas State University (TXST) faculty members are participating in the 2025 SXSW and SXSWEDU interactive festivals in Austin, Texas.
Participating faculty include Andrea Golato, Ph.D., dean of The Graduate College; Tahir Ekin, Ph.D., professor of Information Systems & Analytics; and Sangchul Hwang, Ph.D., associate professor of Civil Engineering.
Golato is hosting a fireside chat titled America Calling: The Impact of Global Higher Education featuring Rajiki Bhandari, an award-winning author who is widely regarded as an expert in international education. Golato says being involved with SXSW is a unique opportunity to network and showcase TXST values to a new audience.
“SXSW is a valuable opportunity for TXST faculty and staff for professional growth and development,” says Golato. “Additionally, it’s an excellent platform to promote TXST and showcase its strengths to a network of potential students, collaborators, and industry professionals.”
Ekin will discuss the relationship between AI and simulated data in a session called Impact of Simulated Data on AI and the Future. Ekin, who serves as director of the TXST Center for Analytics and Data Science, says SXSW is a valuable opportunity to challenge misconceptions about AI and showcase collaborative, innovative initiatives happening in the industry.
“SXSW brings together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and innovators, making it an ideal platform to discuss AI’s evolving role,” Ekin says. “It’s a unique opportunity to advocate for ethical, transparent, and collaborative AI development through initiatives like the TXST Center for Analytics and Data Science and the Austin AI Alliance.”
In addition to the SXSW sessions mentioned above, TXST faculty will also be hosting TXST SXSW Lab: The Bobcat Den, a day of networking, research presentations, and collaboration to showcase the variety of innovative research projects taking place at TXST. Visit the TXST SXSW Lab website for a full agenda.
For more information, including SXSW session locations and ticket availability, visit the SXSW website.