Papers by Ashlin Lee
Sociology Compass, 2020
The prominence of data and data technologies in society, such as algorithms, social media, mobile... more The prominence of data and data technologies in society, such as algorithms, social media, mobile technology, and artificial intelligence, have heralded numerous claims of the revolutionary potential of these systems. From public policy, to business management, to scientific research, a “data-driven” society is apparently imminent – or currently happening - where “objective” and asocial data systems are believed to be comprehensively improving human life. Through a review of existing sociological literature, in this article we critically examine the relationship between data and society, and propose a new model for understanding these dynamics. Drawing on Hayles’ (1999:313) conceptualisation of the “informatic”, we argue the relationship between data and society can be understood as representing the interaction of several different social trends around data; that of Data Interfaces (that connect individuals to digital contexts), Data Circulation (trends in the movement and storage of data), and Data Abstraction (data manipulation practices). Data and data technologies are founded to be entwined and embedded in numerous social relationships, and while not all are fair and equitable relationships, there is ample evidence of the deeply social nature of data across many streams of social life. Our three-part informatic framework allows these complex relationships to be understood in the social dynamic through which they are witnessed and experienced.
The Conversation, Jun 13, 2013
The Conversation, Jun 13, 2014
The Conversation, Oct 28, 2013
Journal of Sociology
Surveillance through information and communication technologies is an integral part of modernity.... more Surveillance through information and communication technologies is an integral part of modernity. However, there has been little research into how surveillance is experienced, with much research focusing on the structural aspects of surveillance. We conducted focus groups with Generation Y internet users to investigate their experiences of internet surveillance. They demonstrate an awareness of and ambivalence about surveillance online, negotiating their digital visibility and exposure against the risks and benefits of using the internet. However, their overwhelming interest and concern is that their online access to desired content is immediate and unfettered. We argue that immediacy has come to dominate how Generation Y understand and negotiate their internet experience, and describe how immediacy outweighs any concerns participants have. This study highlights the need to further explore the experience of surveillance, and the importance of immediacy in understanding sociotechnical systems and experiences.
With the increased visibility of global surveillance systems (such as PRISM) to the public,there ... more With the increased visibility of global surveillance systems (such as PRISM) to the public,there have been growing calls for more resistance against surveillance. This article critically engages with the options for resistance suggested by Gary T. Marx (2009), focusing on those that affect the social and material circumstances of individuals, and ignoring the symbolic ones. Through this, the role of technological momentum in global surveillance systems, and the high cost of resistance for individuals are highlighted. I argue that because of the technological momentum and cost of resistance, many options for resistance are problematic for individuals.
Surveillance can be experienced in a variety of ways, but how these experiences might be linked t... more Surveillance can be experienced in a variety of ways, but how these experiences might be linked to broader social patterns is currently underdeveloped. There is a growing body of research exploring the surveillance subject and how individuals may (dis)engage with surveillance practices. This includes (but is not limited to) surveillance as a bargaining process (Pallitto 2013), counter surveillance activities such as sousveillance (Mann, Nolan and Wellman 2003), and surveillance as a process of exposing subjects (Ball 2009). But while shedding light on the experiences of surveillance subjects, how these experiences might be placed in relation to broader social and surveillance structures is not always automatically evident. This paper presents an initial engagement with this topic, and suggests that a possible angle for linking surveillance subjects to broader social patterns may be achieved through concepts from science and technology studies, specifically Irwin and Michael’s (2003) concept of the ethno-epistemic assemblage (EEA). The EEA is a theoretical heuristic originally envisioned to help understand the blurred relationships between science and society, emphasising the heterogeneous composition and relationship of technoscience and society. The EEA specifically links an individual’s contexts (ethnos), and the forms of knowledge relevant to their contexts (episteme), into assemblages, highlighting the interwoven, dynamic, and fluid nature of ethno-epistemes against and in conjunction with other EEAs, and other social narratives. A brief exploration of the marginal positioning of surveillance subjectivities is presented, followed by a detailed description of the EEA, and how it may contribute to structuring and placing the complexities of surveillance subjects in society.
Surveillance through information and communication technologies is an integral part of modernity.... more Surveillance through information and communication technologies is an integral part of modernity. However, there has been little research into how surveillance is experienced, with much research focusing on the structural aspects of surveillance. We conducted focus groups with Generation Y internet users to investigate their experiences of internet surveillance. They demonstrate an awareness of and ambivalence about surveillance online, negotiating their digital visibility and exposure against the risks and benefits of using the internet. However, their overwhelming interest and concern is that their online access to desired content is immediate and unfettered. We argue that immediacy has come to dominate how Generation Y understand and negotiate their internet experience, and describe how immediacy outweighs any concerns participants have. This study highlights the need to further explore the experience of surveillance, and the importance of immediacy in understanding sociotechnical systems and experiences.
Conference Presentations by Ashlin Lee
Mobile technologies such as mobile phones hold an integral part in the lives of (post)modern subj... more Mobile technologies such as mobile phones hold an integral part in the lives of (post)modern subjects in the global north. In recent years mobile phones have transitioned into so-called 'smart' devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Given that these devices incorporate new varieties of previously discrete
functions, and have been linked to emerging patterns of sociality, this paper considers the case for considering smartphones and tablets as representative of a new kind of artefact within the analysis of socio-technical culture, the convergent mobile technology. This paper situates technology and society as
being in a 'co-productive' relationship, with each aspect shaping the other, using mobile technologies as an example. A justification and prospective criteria for convergent mobile technologies is described, and possible directions for future research are also discussed.
Surveillance can be experienced in a variety of ways, but how these experiences might be linked t... more Surveillance can be experienced in a variety of ways, but how these experiences might be linked to broader social patterns is currently underdeveloped. There is a growing body of research exploring the surveillance subject and how individuals may (dis)engage with surveillance practices. This includes (but is not limited to) surveillance as a bargaining process (Pallitto 2013), counter surveillance activities such as sousveillance (Mann, Nolan and Wellman 2003), and surveillance as a process of exposing subjects (Ball 2009). But while shedding light on the experiences of surveillance subjects, how these experiences might be placed in relation to broader social and surveillance structures is not always automatically evident. This paper presents an initial engagement with this topic, and suggests that a possible angle for linking surveillance subjects to broader social patterns may be achieved through concepts from science and technology studies, specifically Irwin and Michael’s (2003) concept of the ethno-epistemic assemblage (EEA). The EEA is a theoretical heuristic originally envisioned to help understand the blurred relationships between science and society, emphasising the heterogeneous composition and relationship of technoscience and society. The EEA specifically links an individual’s contexts (ethnos), and the forms of knowledge relevant to their contexts (episteme), into assemblages, highlighting the interwoven, dynamic, and fluid nature of ethno-epistemes against and in conjunction with other EEAs, and other social narratives. A brief exploration of the marginal positioning of surveillance subjectivities is presented, followed by a detailed description of the EEA, and how it may contribute to structuring and placing the complexities of surveillance subjects in society.
Surveillance is becoming increasingly common in society, with individual subjected to many forms ... more Surveillance is becoming increasingly common in society, with individual subjected to many forms of data collection and monitoring in everyday life. Many of these forms are through information and communications technologies (ICTs), which hold an ever increasing part in modern living. Theories discussing surveillance often examine surveillance from a structural point of view. However, there is little consideration given to the individual's experience of surveillance within these theories. Therefore, there is a gap in how surveillance studies literature conceptualises surveillance. This article reviews the literature surrounding surveillance, and seeks to highlight the lack of consideration for the individual’s perspective. It concludes that there in order to fully understand and account for surveillance the individual's perspective needs to be considered.
Key words:
Surveillance, experience , ICTs, panopticism, assemblages, everyday
Talks by Ashlin Lee
Opinion/Public by Ashlin Lee
The Conversation, Jun 13, 2014
The Conversation, Jun 13, 2013
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Papers by Ashlin Lee
Conference Presentations by Ashlin Lee
functions, and have been linked to emerging patterns of sociality, this paper considers the case for considering smartphones and tablets as representative of a new kind of artefact within the analysis of socio-technical culture, the convergent mobile technology. This paper situates technology and society as
being in a 'co-productive' relationship, with each aspect shaping the other, using mobile technologies as an example. A justification and prospective criteria for convergent mobile technologies is described, and possible directions for future research are also discussed.
Key words:
Surveillance, experience , ICTs, panopticism, assemblages, everyday
Talks by Ashlin Lee
Opinion/Public by Ashlin Lee
functions, and have been linked to emerging patterns of sociality, this paper considers the case for considering smartphones and tablets as representative of a new kind of artefact within the analysis of socio-technical culture, the convergent mobile technology. This paper situates technology and society as
being in a 'co-productive' relationship, with each aspect shaping the other, using mobile technologies as an example. A justification and prospective criteria for convergent mobile technologies is described, and possible directions for future research are also discussed.
Key words:
Surveillance, experience , ICTs, panopticism, assemblages, everyday