Dear all,

This week's JOMEC research seminar at Cardiff University will be given by Dr Joanna Redden on Wednesday, 30th November, at 4.00pm in Rm 0.31, Bute Building.

The seminar title is Investigating Data Governance Through Data Harms

Abstract: As big data systems enter our cities, local authorities, and government departments the data collected about us grows and more services and decisions are influenced by algorithms and predictive tools that we are not able to interrogate or challenge. While data governance presents a range of promising outcomes, this paper focuses on the new potentials for discrimination being introduced. Data mining and predictive analytics present new opaque ways to unintentionally and intentionally discriminate, sort, exclude, and exploit. I provide an overview of examples of data harm, and then turn to the Canadian Department of Justice as an illustrative case study.  I argue that data driven governance introduces a number of inter-related challenges to journalists tasked with holding those in positions of power to account, to social scientists questioning the implications of changing systems,  to those trying to build a more equal society, and to those contesting discriminatory practices. These emerging data challenges demonstrate the need for increased efforts to enhance data literacy, accountability and oversight. Several data activism projects are highlighted as promising responses.

Bio: Joanna Redden is a Lecturer in the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. Her work focuses on the implications of changing digital media practices, particularly in relation to poverty and inequality. Her latest project considers how uses of big data are changing governance.

--