Re: Your W3C affiliation with Stanford University?

It is hard to see a request like this to speak with an academic's supervisor as anything other than intimidation. I don't mean for that to sound sensationalistic, but a true representation of how I've felt in a similar position in the past. The truth is that even if Jonathan's dean, advisor, etc. agrees to speak with you, I doubt anything will come of it at all. Academics are given wide latitude to engage in public and research subject only to ethical and academic conduct rules, and there's simply no case whatsoever that Jonathan has breached those, so I suggest you just find something more productive to do.

(Frankly, I feel similarly about non-academics being called out to their supervisors too.)

best, Joe

--
Joseph Lorenzo Hall
Senior Staff Technologist
Center for Democracy & Technology
https://www.cdt.org/

On Oct 24, 2012, at 17:05, Jonathan Mayer <jmayer@stanford.edu> wrote:

> Chris,
> 
> I believe I've been entirely transparent about the terms of my participation in the working group.  I'd like to continue to be open about this procedural issue, and so it seems only appropriate to field questions on the group's mailing list.
> 
> As to the particulars: I participate in the working group through Stanford University's W3C membership.  You're welcome to share your concerns with the Stanford institutions I listed.  All maintain public websites and contact information.
> 
> I would be glad to answer any further questions in your newly-"launched . . . inquiry about [my]/Stanford's participation."
> 
> Jonathan
> 
> On Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 1:33 PM, Chris Mejia wrote:
> 
>> I wrote a personal email to you Jonathan.  Why did you find it necessary to copy the public working group on your reply?
>> 
>> I'm copying Thomas Roessler, as I have launched an inquiry about your/Stanford's participation in this working group, and your conduct here.
>> 
>> Btw- you didn't actually answer my questions:  
>> Is your involvement in this working group through your student affiliation at Stanford University?  
>> Would you please broker an introduction to your supervisor?
>> Thank You,
>> 
>> C. Mejia
>> 
>> Chris Mejia | Digital Supply Chain Solutions | Ad Technology Group | Interactive Advertising Bureau - IAB 
>> From: Jonathan Mayer <jmayer@stanford.edu>
>> Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 1:27 PM
>> To: Chris Mejia - IAB <chris.mejia@iab.net>, W3C DNT Working Group Mailing List <public-tracking@w3.org>
>> Subject: Re: Your W3C affiliation with Stanford University?
>> 
>> Chris,
>> 
>> My research groups at Stanford are the Security Lab, the Center for Internet and Society, and the Center for International Security and Cooperation.  I'm generously funded by a Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship, which is overseen by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education.  You can direct your concerns to those institutions.
>> 
>> I speak only for myself, of course.  I've made that clear on many occasions.
>> 
>> Jonathan
>> 
>> On Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 11:17 AM, Chris Mejia wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi Jonathan,
>>> 
>>> Thanks again for taking time to meet with me last week in San Francisco— I found our conversation enlightening.
>>> 
>>> In following up on my previous request, I'll be frank here, not to be rude, but to be transparent and forthcoming.  I'd like to understand if your participation in the W3C is through your student affiliation with Stanford University (they are the W3C member), or if it's you representing your own personal views, positions and assertions?  As you are currently listed as a participant under Stanford's membership to the W3C, I'd like to know who (which Stanford staff/department) supervises your contributions to the working group?  If you could kindly broker an introduction, it would be appreciated.
>>> 
>>> Thank You,
>>> 
>>> Chris
>>> 
>>> Chris Mejia | Digital Supply Chain Solutions | Ad Technology Group | Interactive Advertising Bureau - IAB 
>> 
>