The contemporary historical moment is marked by the rise of digital governance, often captured in descriptions of e-government, smart cities and information societies. Attention has been given to the transformative potential of new technology to make governance more efficient, transparent and participatory. However, concerns are mounting over surveillance, intrusions into privacy and the multiple costs and drivers of digital solutions. But the concept of transparency also requires interrogation. What new forms of scrutiny does transparency inaugurate? In what ways is evidence transformed by new visibilities? What new forms of opacity are being produced?
This one-day seminar brings together scholars, experts and industry practitioners from diverse fields to address the above questions. The focus will be on the citizen as sensor, data transparency and privacy; surveillance and security, and new forms of scrutiny.
Invited speakers include:
Peter Fussey, Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex
Terry Landers, Regional Standards Officer – Western Europe, Microsoft Europe
Sadhbh McCarthy, Director of the Centre for Irish and European Security
Peter Graham, Associate Partner, IBM Global Business Services
Bernd Stahl, Professor and Director of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, De Montfort University
Dr. Jonas Sjöström, Uppsala University
Admission is free but numbers are limited, so if you wish to attend please contact anthropology.office@mu.ie using “Transparency Workshop” in the subject header
on or before 17 November.