Papers by Mirko Tobias Schäfer
This contribution discusses the development of the Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA), a framework f... more This contribution discusses the development of the Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA), a framework for reviewing government data projects that considers their social impact, the embedded values and the government's responsibilities in times of data-driven public management. Drawing from distinct qualitative research approaches, the DEDA framework was developed in an iterative process (2016-2018) and has since then been applied by various Dutch municipalities, the Association of Dutch Municipalities, and the Ministry of General Affairs (NL). We present the DEDA framework as an effective process to moderate case-deliberation and advance the development of responsible data practices. In addition, by thoroughly documenting the deliberation process, the DEDA framework establishes accountability. First, this paper sheds light on the necessity for data ethical case deliberation. Second, it describes the prototypes, the final design of the framework, and its evaluation. After a comparison with other frameworks, and a discussion of the findings, the paper concludes by arguing that the DEDA framework is a useful process for ethical evaluation of data projects for public management and an effective tool for creating awareness of ethical issues in data practices.
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New Perspectives in Critical Data Studies. The Ambivalences of Data Power, 2022
Local governments in the Netherlands are increasingly undertaking data projects for public manage... more Local governments in the Netherlands are increasingly undertaking data projects for public management. While the emergence of data practices and the application of algorithms for decision making in public management have led to a growing critical commentary, little actual empirical research has been conducted. Over the past few years, we have developed a research method that enables researchers to enter organisations not merely as researchers but also as experts on data ethics. Through participatory and ethnographic observation, the DEDA (Data Ethics Decision Aid) gives us special insight into ethics in local government. Where most research has focused on the theoretical aspects of data ethics, our approach offers a new perspective on data practices, by looking at how data ethics is done in public management. Our research provides insight into the state of data awareness within organisations that are mostly portrayed—within critical data studies—as homogeneous and monolithic entities. The distinct method developed at Utrecht Data School allows researchers to immerse themselves within organisations and closely observe data practices, discourses on ethics, and how organisations address challenges that arise as a consequence of datafication. For the purpose of this chapter, we analyse our field work with the DEDA through the lens of Mark Moore’s Strategic Triangle of Public Value. We show how our field work can give insight into how the three angles of the strategic triangle are shaped in practice. From this analysis we draw three conclusions. First, that ethical awareness of data projects is often low because data literacy among civil servants is limited. Second, that by not recognising the choices civil servants have to make as ethical or political choices, they can make decisions that go beyond their mandate. Third, that there is a dangerous tendency where ethical deliberation is sometimes seen as an obnoxious bureaucratic box ticking exercise, instead of being considered as a vital part of the design and build-up of a data project.
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In public administration, more and more processes are being digitised and data is being used to c... more In public administration, more and more processes are being digitised and data is being used to collect information, determine the probability of events, or directly support the work of civil servants through automated decision-making. This practice offers many opportunities, but also raises a number of issues. The complexity and opacity of datasets, analysis processes, models or proprietary software creates black boxes in public management and calls for checks and balances. Possible harms inflicted through automated decision-making processes, infringement on privacy, autonomy, and the right to information need to be prevented; proportionality, function creep and the competence and capacity of city employees to adequately apply these novel methods are called into question. While there is a lively discourse emphasizing the need for ethics in AI and data practices, many of the available guidelines fall short in providing an applicable framework for responsible data practices. The Utrecht Data School has developed a deliberately dialogic and participatory approach to data ethics. In this paper we show how our tools enable dialogue between different participants in a data or AI project and give concrete examples of the use of our Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA) in municipal data and digitisation projects. We argue that participatory research practices for investigating datafication and algorithmization are very much connected to participatory data ethics.
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Handbuch Digitalisierung der Öffentlichkeit, 2023
Die öffentliche Verwaltung nutzt zunehmend Big Data und Künstliche Intelligenz (KI). Der
Einsatz ... more Die öffentliche Verwaltung nutzt zunehmend Big Data und Künstliche Intelligenz (KI). Der
Einsatz von Datenpraktiken und Algorithmen ist nicht grundsätzlich problematisch. Es gilt
jedoch zu beachten, dass Datensätze und Analysemodelle Werte in sich tragen und berühren
können. Dieser Beitrag zeigt mit Beispielen aus den Niederlanden, wie Datenpraktiken und KI
Good Governance herausfordern können. Wir empfehlen Lösungen auf vier Ebenen:
1. Entscheidungstragende, die Daten und KI nutzen wollen
2. Verwaltungsmitarbeitende, die dies praktisch umsetzen müssen
3. gewählte Mandatstragende, die das Verwaltungshandeln kontrollieren
4. Bürger:innen, die von Daten- und KI-Projekten betroffen sind
Wir stellen Werkzeuge und Vorgehen vor, welche bei der werte-bewussten Gestaltung und
Accountability von Daten- und KI-Projekten helfen können und informierte Entscheidungen
bei in der demokratischen Deliberation in Gemeinderäten ermöglichen.
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Humanities scholarship is essential in the present-day datafied society. This contribution discus... more Humanities scholarship is essential in the present-day datafied society. This contribution discusses the interdisciplinary research platform Utrecht Data School (UDS) and its entrepreneurial research approach for investigating the impact of datafication and algorithmization on culture and society. This research approach is informed by close cooperation with external partners, including (local) government organizations, (public) media, companies, and NGOs and accelerates areas in which traditional academic research in the humanities have often said to fall short: societal engagement, knowledge transfer, and the application of research findings. However, as reflected on in the conclusion, it is not without its challenges.
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The computer and particularly the Internet have been represented as enabling technologies, turnin... more The computer and particularly the Internet have been represented as enabling technologies, turning consumers into users and users into producers. The unfolding online cultural production by users has been framed enthusiastically as participatory culture. But while ...
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Medien- & Kommunikationswissenschaft, 2021
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Transforming Communications, 2022
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Brill | Fink eBooks, 2012
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Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie, Nov 1, 2018
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Amsterdam University Press eBooks, 2023
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Amsterdam University Press eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
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Amsterdam University Press eBooks, 2017
As machine-readable data comes to play an increasingly important role in everyday life, researche... more As machine-readable data comes to play an increasingly important role in everyday life, researchers find themselves with rich resources for studying society. The novel methods and tools needed to work with such data require not only new knowledge and skills, but also a new way of thinking about best research practices. This book critically reflects on the role and usefulness of big data, challenging overly optimistic expectations about what such information can reveal, introducing practices and methods for its analysis and visualisation, and raising important political and ethical questions regarding its collection, handling, and presentation.
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Public Management Review, Jun 15, 2023
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Papers by Mirko Tobias Schäfer
Einsatz von Datenpraktiken und Algorithmen ist nicht grundsätzlich problematisch. Es gilt
jedoch zu beachten, dass Datensätze und Analysemodelle Werte in sich tragen und berühren
können. Dieser Beitrag zeigt mit Beispielen aus den Niederlanden, wie Datenpraktiken und KI
Good Governance herausfordern können. Wir empfehlen Lösungen auf vier Ebenen:
1. Entscheidungstragende, die Daten und KI nutzen wollen
2. Verwaltungsmitarbeitende, die dies praktisch umsetzen müssen
3. gewählte Mandatstragende, die das Verwaltungshandeln kontrollieren
4. Bürger:innen, die von Daten- und KI-Projekten betroffen sind
Wir stellen Werkzeuge und Vorgehen vor, welche bei der werte-bewussten Gestaltung und
Accountability von Daten- und KI-Projekten helfen können und informierte Entscheidungen
bei in der demokratischen Deliberation in Gemeinderäten ermöglichen.
Einsatz von Datenpraktiken und Algorithmen ist nicht grundsätzlich problematisch. Es gilt
jedoch zu beachten, dass Datensätze und Analysemodelle Werte in sich tragen und berühren
können. Dieser Beitrag zeigt mit Beispielen aus den Niederlanden, wie Datenpraktiken und KI
Good Governance herausfordern können. Wir empfehlen Lösungen auf vier Ebenen:
1. Entscheidungstragende, die Daten und KI nutzen wollen
2. Verwaltungsmitarbeitende, die dies praktisch umsetzen müssen
3. gewählte Mandatstragende, die das Verwaltungshandeln kontrollieren
4. Bürger:innen, die von Daten- und KI-Projekten betroffen sind
Wir stellen Werkzeuge und Vorgehen vor, welche bei der werte-bewussten Gestaltung und
Accountability von Daten- und KI-Projekten helfen können und informierte Entscheidungen
bei in der demokratischen Deliberation in Gemeinderäten ermöglichen.