Ethics of Big Data Research Group: What is Big Data? Discovery through a Data Walkshop

What is Big Data? Discovery through a Data Walkshop

Alison Powell (London School of Economics)
Alex Taylor (Microsoft Research)

Explore and discuss the data environment around the Cambridge Railway Station, including the site of Microsoft Research's project on data and the residents of Tenison Road, through a process of rapid group ethnography. Arrive at 2.00pm sharp at the corner of Tenison Road and Station Road, in front of Microsoft Research, for a short introduction to the project. We will leave at 2:30pm for a 60 minute walk around the area, followed by discussion. We will reflect on the different conceptualizations of data that we discover on our walk and also on the disjunctions between conceptual and computational data. This will highlight that, underpinning any considerations of the ethics of big data, are particular understandings of what data is in the first place.

Please bring a phone/camera, appropriate dress for the weather, and a sandwich if you like.

Please note, spaces are limited.