[Air-L] CFA: Open Panel “Degrowing Data" EASST/4S Conference, Amsterdam

[Miedema, M.]

Dear Colleagues,



We are inviting submissions to our open panel “Degrowing Data: Valuing and
Practicing Intentional Data Loss” at the 4S/EASST Conference, which will
take place in Amsterdam, 16-19 July 2024.



We are interested in both ‘traditional’ paper abstracts and diverse
creative contributions, especially for the second half of the panel which
focuses on degrowth as both an academic discourse and a social movement.



Submission Deadline: February 12, 2024.



Short Abstract:

This panel explores intentional data loss. Contributions engage with data
loss practices, narratives, and values and how they can expose power
structures but also provide space for resistance. A concluding interactive
dialogue session links intentional data loss to degrowth for liveable
futures.



Long Abstract:

This combined format open panel seeks to decentre our need to accumulate
data and the fear of its loss. For good reasons, much effort has been put
into protecting, saving or securing diverse data, for example at cultural
heritage sites, for personal digital archives or as part of seed banks. But
what about the inverse? What about data practices, narratives and values
focusing on, or even desiring data loss through deletion, deconstruction,
decluttering, discarding or disconnecting (cf Hobbis and Hobbis 2021;
Thylstrup 2022)?

The first session welcomes traditional papers (research papers, essays,
reviews) but also more creative, playful, submissions (scripts, dialogues,
audio/visual work). Contributions may ask questions like: When, why, and
how is data loss practised and valued? Who benefits when data loss is
(forcefully) prevented and why? Can there be a right to delete besides a
legalized ‘right to be forgotten’ (cf Gupta and Naithani 2023)? How and
when can intentional data loss be an expression of power and/or resistance
against it (cf Liboiron and Lepawsky 2022)?



The second session consists of an interactive dialogue connecting the
papers to degrowth debates, that are yet to find a clear position in STS
scholarship. Reflecting the twofold goal of the degrowth debate, this
session is concerned with an advancement of social theory and a social
movement. Leaning on insights from degrowth debates, we first think through
the capitalist dynamics (accumulation, extraction, abundance) surrounding
fears of data loss. Secondly, we seek to uncover possibilities for
connecting intentional data loss practices with degrowth initiatives. Could
intentional data loss practices and values contribute to more liveable
futures?



We are especially interested in case studies/contributions from diverse
global contexts, epistemologies and ontologies and intend to combine our
insights from the panel into a special issue/book, joint dialogic article,
and/or more creative output.



Convenors

Marije Miedema (University of Groningen), m.miedema at rug.nl

Stephanie Hobbis (Wageningen University), stephanie.hobbis at wur.nl



Discussant

Nanna Bonde Thylstrup (University of Copenhagen)



You can submit abstracts of up to 250 words here:
https://nomadit.co.uk/conference/easst-4s2024/p/14164



More details about the conference: https://www.easst4s2024.net/



If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!



Best wishes,



Marije & Stephanie


-- 
Marije Miedema
PhD Candidate

*University of Groningen*
Faculty of Arts | Department of Media and Journalism Studies
Campus Fryslân | Department of Knowledge Infrastructures

Website <http://www.marijemiedema.com>| LinkedIn
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijemiedema/> | Twitter
<https://twitter.com/miedemamarije>

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