Stephanie Geise and Annie Waldherr gain funding for working group «Computational Social Science»

(02.03.2018) The Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) will fund Stefanie Geise’s and Annie Waldherr’s working group «Computational Social Science», which has been applied for in cooperation with Uwe Engel, Professor of Sociology and Head of the Social Science Methods Centre at the University of Bremen. With the funding CAIS provides financial and structural resources to facilitate cooperation among national and international experts joining together in workshops. The aim of the working group is to reflect the consequences of an increasing usage of computational methods for the further development of the empirical social sciences.

Due to technological change, computational methods such as network analysis, text and data mining or computer simulation become more and more relevant to social science researchers as they enable to systematically analyze massive digital databases. Nevertheless they also imply profound challenges for social science methodology, data analysis and research ethics: To what extent is a specific methodology for Computational Social Science (CSS) (including specific quality criteria of scientific research and research ethical guidelines) needed? Another challenge arises from the often criticized lack of theory in CSS. Thus, the working group also addresses questions of the relationship between CSS and social science theories.

In keeping with the motto «Steps towards a Computational Social Science», the working group will reflect and discuss specific theoretical perspectives on CSS, potential interfaces to established theories of social science and a resulting methodology in a series of workshops with national and international experts in the field.

The CAIS regards itself as a place for innovative and interdisciplinary research and as an impetus for critical science dealing with risks and gains of the digitalization. By funding the working group, the CAIS enables Stephanie Geise and Annie Waldherr to organize a series of expert workshops as well as a final one-week retreat. The first workshop at the CAIS is scheduled for April.
 

Contact person for press and public relations:
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For further enquiry with regards to content:
PD Dr. habil. Stephanie Geise