Exchange on Language for Industry, Government, Training, and Education in the Interest of National Security” (ENLIGHTEN)

On May 17–18, 2012,University of Maryland Center for Advanced Study of Language (CASL)  will host the the first annual ENLIGHTEN event, on language and national security.

The “Exchange on Language for Industry, Government, Training, and Education in the Interest of National Security” (ENLIGHTEN) will bring leaders in industry and education together with those from the defense and intelligence communities. Together they will examine CASL’s work and the possibilities for applying research on language across sectors to advance America’s economic competitiveness and strengthen our national security posture and readiness. Topics to be addressed include:

• Accelerating language learning through cognitive science and neuroscience
• Mitigating the cyber threat with insights from behavioral and social sciences
• Increasing the efficiency of language professionals with human language technologies
• Meeting workforce requirements for highest level language, regional and cultural expertise

Wallace Loh, President of the University of Maryland, College Park, will open and close the second day of the event.

Keynote speakers include Gen. Keith Alexander, Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS); and Gen. Michael Hayden, Principal at the Chertoff Group

ENLIGHTEN marks a prominent milestone for CASL, a Department of Defense university affiliated research center about to enter its tenth anniversary year.

Event Details

WHAT: Exchange on Language for Industry, Government, Training, and Education in the Interest of National Security (ENLIGHTEN)

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: http://www.casl.umd.edu/enlighten

Online registration will close at 11:59pm, Thursday, May 10, 2012.

MAY 17, 2012 (Closed to the public and media)

         WHO: Gen. Keith Alexander, Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS); Peter Clement, Deputy Director for Intelligence for Analytic Programs at the Central Intelligence Agency; Michael Wertheimer, Director of Research, NSA/CSS; COL Danial D. Pick (U.S. Army), Commandant/Commander of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center; and a panel of senior language authorities from across the U.S. government. 

   WHERE: CASL, 7005 52nd Ave., College Park, MD 20742

MAY 18, 2012 (Open to the public, with registration)

WHO: Gen. Michael Hayden, Principal at the Chertoff Group; Reginald Hyde, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence and Security); Michael Nugent, Director of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office; Dan E. Davidson, President of American Councils for International Education; Wallace Loh, President of the University of Maryland, College Park; Patrick O’Shea, University of Maryland Vice President for Research; David Baggett, Founder of Arcode and Co-founder of ITA Software (now ITA Google).  

WHERE: The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College, 3501 University Blvd., East, Hyattsville, MD 20783

CONTACT: Pamela R. Morse, Assistant Director, Communications; pmorse@casl.umd.edu; 301-226-8899

 ABOUT CASL: CASL conducts unprecedented, academically rigorous research in language and cognition that supports national security. Our research is interdisciplinary and collaborative, bringing together people from the government, academia, and the private sector. Our research is both strategic and tactical, so that it not only advances areas of knowledge, but also directly serves the critical needs of the nation. The University of Maryland is unique in its comprehensive approach to language and cybersecurity research, stressing "more-than-tech," interdisciplinary solutions. For more information, visit www.casl.umd.edu.