[Air-L] SSN Interdisciplinary Seminar: Accountability and automated decision-making in public admin

[Thao Phan]

In this interdisciplinary seminar, Karin Hedström, Professor of Informatics
at Örebro University, will discuss automated decision making in the Swedish
Public Sector. Professor Hedström will be joined in conversation by two
invited respondants from STEM and HASS who will provide their disciplinary
perspectives on the topic. The seminar and conversation will be moderated
by Dr Radhika Gorur, Senior Lecturer in Education and SSN Data Cultures
theme leader.


*Abstract:*
Digitalization of public administration is expanding. This includes not
only digitalization of processes or the use of computers as support for
decisions, but also an increasing use of computers as actual
decision-makers. One of the core public values of institutions and
legitimate democratic governance is the possibility to hold public
administration accountable for decisions made on behalf of the political
system and how these are affecting its citizens, i.e. public
accountability. Computers are given an increasingly important role, not
only supporting the automation of administrative processes, but also as the
role of decision-makers. These changes make the question of accountability
more important than ever and highlight the role of public values to guide
the complex socio-technical web of automated decision-making. This
presentation will discuss and analyse how public accountability is
constructed in relation to automated decision-making within the context of
the Swedish public sector.

*About the speaker:*

Karin Hedström is Professor of Informatics at Örebro University, Sweden.
Her research is focused on the role of values in the design of IT systems.
Her commitment to challenging and changing prevailing views is a driving
force. Research on the role of values in development and use of IT systems
means that she studies how priorities made in the development process will
impact the organisation of IT operations, and in addition how users
perceive the benefits of an IT system.

*About the respondents:*

Rajesh Vasa is a Professor of Software and Technology Innovation, and
currently leads the innovation efforts at Deakin Software and Technology
Innovation Lab. He has over 2 decades of experience spanning both industry
and academia with a specialization in artificial intelligence and complex
software systems design. His career spans roles in technology engineering,
operations and executive leadership with an international work profile.
Rajesh is passionate about solving high impact problems, and his core
research focus is in evidence based software engineering with a focus on
applied artificial intelligence, complex systems and evolution.

Luke Heemsbergen is a Lecturer in Communication at Deakin Univeristy. His
core research stream considers how the radical decentralisation of
communication practices creates shifts in democratic governance, with a
focus on 3D printing and transparency mechanisms. His academic work has
been published in various international politics, media, and communications
journals, as well as popular outlets like The New York Times; wins external
grants; and has enabled him to research at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center
for Internet and Society while still a PhD candidate. Before academia, his
professional experiences were crafted at Foreign Affairs Canada and in the
private sector.

This seminar is supported by the Deakin Science and Society Network (SSN),
a network that supports science-literate social research and
socially-engaged science that makes an impact.

*Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP for catering purposes. *

*When: *Friday October 26, 3:30-4:30pm

*Where: *Deakin Downtown, Tower 2 Level 12, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne

*Register:*
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ssn-interdisciplinary-seminar-accountability-and-automated-decision-making-in-public-administration-tickets-50567566954