Workshop: Social Facets of Data Science

California Polytechnic State University Foundation, San Luis Obispo CA

Investigators

Abstract

The project will fund a workshop on the social aspects of data science using historical, philosophical, and social scientific methods. It will be held at Cal Poly in the fall of 2016. The workshop will bring together historians, philosophers, anthropologists, and sociologists of data science. They will work together to design a science and technology studies research agenda for data science. Faculty and students engaged in social, historical and ethical studies of data science will be invited to participate. The workshop will contribute to the advancement of knowledge about data science. It will further understanding of social and cultural aspects of data science. It will professionalize and train students. The workshop's publications will increase society?s understanding of data science by discussing the how, what, who, where and why of data science. The workshop will establish of a multi-disciplinary, multi-generational, and multi-institutional science and technology studies (STS) research agenda on data science. It is designed to be an agenda-setting workshop involving both experts and the general public to produce a research strategy and agenda. The workshop will focus on data science's communication patterns, tools, styles of work, analytical habits, standards, visual strategies, and professional ethics. Presentations will document the emerging social facets of data science research cultures by using historical, philosophical, and social scientific methods. The workshop will offer an opportunity for STS to apply its methods to a new scientific profession and provide STS with a chance to situate itself as a key stakeholder in the professionalization process. The workshop will increase the documentation and understanding of data science beyond the technical profession.