Affiliations

Researchers within the focus area's network are currently working on a range of projects related to Governing the Digital Society. For example:

  • Modern Bigness

    The project investigates whether European competition law can and should tackle the challenges of Modern Bigness, arising from the digital economy.

    Prof. Anna Gerbrandy
    The ERC-funded project Modern Bigness on the conceptualization of the power of big tech platforms and the response by (European competition) law, is led by Gerbrandy. Many of its researchers are members of GDS.

  • ALGOPOL

    This project investigates to what degree sensitiveness to values such as privacy, and equal treatment and transparency of the use of algorithms, can strengthen the trust of citizens in the police. 

    Albert Meijer
    Prof. Albert Meijer
    Several members of GDS, including Meijer, participate in the NWO-funded project ALGOPOL, which focuses on responsible algorithmization in the public sector.

  • Utrecht Data School

    Utrecht Data School investigates big data commissioned by companies, non-profit organizations and governments. In addition, they experiment with different analysis and visualisation techniques, complemented by qualitative analyses for contextualising and giving meaning to data. 

    Dr Mirko Schaefer
    "GDS as a focus area maintains a close partnership with the Utrecht Data School, which organizes applied courses in data ethics for a variety of institutions, including municipalities."

  • Institutions for Open Societies

    Scholars at IOS aim at using an interdisciplinary approach to tackle two vital societal questions: Why do societies develop so divergently? And how do institutions contribute to the formation of open and sustainable societies?

    Hoogleraar Jose van Dijck
    Prof. José van Dijck
    "Our focus area highlights all forms of governance which shape our digital society."

  • Driven by Data

    Utrecht initiatives aiming to inspire research agendas that integrate the perspective of domain expertise with the various methods available for the data-driven discovery of knowledge.

    Hoogleraar Jose van Dijck
    Prof. José van Dijck
    "GDS is one of Utrecht University’s five focus areas that concentrate on various aspects of digitization and artificial intelligence in society. All five areas combine their research efforts in the dynamic ‘Driven by Data' platform."

  • Human-centered Artificial Intelligence

    AI in Utrecht has a unique interdisciplinary profile that pervades various departments including computer science, philosophy, linguistics and psychology, exploring design principles for responsible AI, the role of AI in society, and the moral and legal implications of the use of AI.

    Hoogleraar Jose van Dijck
    Prof. José van Dijck
    "Of the other focus areas, Human-centered AI is most closely allied to GDS, as both focus areas combine perspectives from the humanities, social sciences and informatics."