Monday 12 June from 12:00 to 17:00
Room SG1, Alison Richard Building, University of Cambridge
Research on data and data-intensive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly critical in the last decade. Decolonial, intersectional feminist and other theoretical frameworks have been employed to make sense of new and existing asymmetries.
This workshop proposes to reflect about the implications of this turn for research praxis. Some of the questions explored are: How can research make global-scale claims in a way that is attentive to local agencies? What collaborations are possible between academia and marginalised communities? How can researchers themselves reproduce extractive dynamics?
The workshop comprises a panel discussion and group activities. Participants will be invited to think about relevant questions to consider before, during and after undertaking critical data research.
The speakers of the workshop have conducted influential research in the field of critical data studies: Professor Nick Couldry (Professor of Media, Communications and Social Theory in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE), Professor Mirca Madianou (Professor at the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths University), Dr Andrea Medrado (Senior Lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster) and Professor Ulises Ali Mejias (Professor of Communication Studies at SUNY Oswego in the United States).
The workshop will be hosted by CGHR co-directors Dr Ella McPherson (Associate Professor of the Sociology of New Media and Digital Technology, Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge) and Dr Sharath Srnivasan (David and Elaine Potter Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge), alongside CGHR Postdoctoral Scholar Sebastián Lehuedé. The group activities have been envisioned and will be led by Sebastián, Nai Lee Kalema (PhD Researcher, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose) and Saide Mobayed (PhD Researcher, Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge).
The event will begin with a welcome lunch (noon). Reception drinks will be offered at the end.
Join the Workshop
There will be a limited number of participants, who will range from PhD students to more senior scholars. The workshop is free of charge.
If you would like to participate, please email Sebastián Lehuedé (sal92@cam.ac.uk) explaining (no more than 4 sentences) how does your research interests connect with the theme of the workshop. Deadline for this is on Thursday 18 May, and responses will be sent by Sunday 21 May.
Speakers
Professor Nick Couldry is Professor of Media, Communications and Social Theory in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE. As a sociologist of media and culture, he approaches media and communications from the perspective of the symbolic power that has been historically concentrated in media institutions. Professor Couldry is a co-founder of Tierra Común.
Professor Mirca Madianou is a Professor at the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths University. Her research examines the social uses and consequences of communication technologies in a transnational and comparative context. Professor Madianou’s work has contributed to the areas of migration, disaster recovery, humanitarianism and their intersection with digital technology.
Dr Andrea Medrado is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Media and Communication at University of Westminster. Her current research analyses the ways in which digital activists and artivists in Global South countries (particularly Brazil and Kenya) can exchange experiences and lessons, promoting an exploration of mutuality between them. Dr Medrado is currently exploring participatory methods in the study of digital platforms.
Professor Ulises Ali Mejias is Professor of Communication Studies at SUNY Oswego in the United States. His research interests include critical internet studies, network theory and science, philosophy of technology, sociology of communication, and political economy of digital media. Professor Ulises Ali Mejias is a co-founder of Tierra Común and the Non-Aligned Technologies Movement.