Critical Data Studies: A dialog on data and space

Abstract

In light of recent technological innovations and discourses around data and algorithmic analytics, scholars of many stripes are attempting to develop critical agendas and responses to these developments (boyd and Crawford 2012). In this mutual interview, three scholars discuss the stakes, ideas, responsibilities, and possibilities of critical data studies. The resulting dialog seeks to explore what kinds of critical approaches to these topics, in theory and practice, could open and make available such approaches to a broader audience.

Re-mapping life

“…The rise of the trend known as Big Data, which as a consequence of its popularity and growing technological accessibility has brought about a new confidence in the mechanisms and technologies of visualization, claiming to measure, rank and classify all aspects of the world in precise and allegedly objective, yet aesthetically stunning, ways (Dalton et al 2016, Thatcher 2014). It is not surprising then that many scientists and clinicians have welcomed its emergence with much enthusiasm, seeing as they do, in the ability to access, collect and represent increasingly large sets of data using semi-automatic digitization processes, a remarkable opportunity.…”

“…By relying exclusively on quantity and quantification, we create a gap between the information collected and its context, resulting in a progressive loss of connection, as context becomes superfluous and all the attention becomes focused on data conceived of as 'pure' and impartial. This leads to a failure to critically read data, or to 'contest [their] creation, commodification, analysis and application' (Dalton et al 2016). Sadly, recuperating some form of critical approach is hindered in two apparently contradictory ways: on the one hand, the increased reliance on mechanization and quantification has led to 'info-scientism' , that is, the belief that data are more impartial than qualitative observation -not only that are data more reliable, but also superior to qualitative findings.…”

Big Data-Driven Health Surveillance

“…These challenges, and the urgent need to reflect on, rethink and recapture the power related to vast and continually growing 'big data' sets have been forcefully stressed in the field of critical data studies (Iliadis and Russo 2016;Dalton, Taylor and Thatcher 2016;Kitchin and Lauriault 2014;. Approaches in this interdisciplinary research field examine practices of digital data collection, utilisation, and meaning-making in corporate, governmental, institutional, academic, and civic contexts.…”

Understanding the Valuation of Location Privacy: a Crowdsourcing-Based Approach

“…This leads to certain populations being overly represented in the data as some groups do not voluntarily disclose information [33].…”