PhD Studentship: The Ethical Life of Digital Data (971318FP)

Project title:                       The ethical life of digital data

Project description

Over recent years the volume, velocity and variety of data generation and analysis have increased at a phenomenal rate, such that ‘big data’ is rapidly becoming the distinctive hallmark of the 21st century. Data are now generated at a far greater scale than ever before and the application of new computational methods enables the linking of heterogeneous sources, identification of complex patterns and inference of embedded relationships. It is well established that this emergent data landscape poses some fundamental challenges to established frameworks for ethical research and in particular to well-established principles of individual sovereignty, the meaning of consent and guarantees of privacy. 

The problem is that the value, uses and consequences of data collected can no longer be adequately known, described and consented to in advance without radically compromising the potential for these data to drive new forms of knowledge and understanding that may be (for example) clinically, socially and economically desirable. It is clear that new approaches to ethics are required if we are to address this impasse. The project approaches the problem in two key ways:

(i) Theoretically it draws on the concept of ‘the social life of data’ refining this to consider the ethical life of data and in particular how the ethical challenges arise across the lifetime of ‘data in use’ (or potentials for data in use). 

(ii) Empirically it combines the study of two different fields where the ethical challenges of new forms of digital data re in particularly sharp relief: first the field of genetics and genomics and second the field of web data analytics.

The overall aim of the project is to generate new understanding of ethics in practice that might inform new frameworks for research. Methodologically the research will be largely qualitative, collecting observational and interview data from applied settings of data analysis and through public engagement with a range of citizen groups. 

Research questions:

1. What does confidentiality/privacy mean in these different big data contexts (e.g. web/ genomic-data can reveal information about identifiable others)? 

2. To what extent is valid consent for data usage possible, given future use scenarios cannot be predicted? 

3. How do these kinds of big data impact on research and work in healthcare and online contexts, including consideration of new ethical obligations? 

Please contact:                  Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Susan Halford (susan.halford@southampton.ac.uk ).
Further information and applications: Social Sciences  soscpgr@southampton.ac.uk

Key facts

Entry requirements:       A first class or strong upper second class degree in an appropriate discipline and ideally also an MA/MSc qualification in an appropriate discipline.Some knowledge or understanding of genomics or web data is desirable but not essential. More important is enthusiasm to learn about these fields. Some training in qualitative methods is also desirable. 

Closing date:                     28 February 2018.  

Duration:                             Three years (full-time)

Funding:                               Full tuition fees, for UK/EU students, and a tax-free stipend of £14,553 per year

Start date:                           April 2018

Applying:                             www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html

Please apply for the PhD Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, including the project title.

Closing Date: 28 Feb 2018
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)