[Air-L] CfP special issue 'Algorithmic Governance in Context' (New Media & Society)

[Mariëlle W.]

*CfP: ‘Algorithmic Governance in Context’*

Special issue of *New Media & Society*


Special issue editors: Daria Gritsenko (University of Helsinki), Annette
Markham (RMIT), Holger Pötzsch (UiT – The Arctic University of Norway) and
Mariëlle Wijermars (Maastricht University)


We invite paper proposals for a special issue in the journal *New Media &
Society* that will interrogate the functions and effects of algorithms in
contemporary governance. Contributing to the current academic debate, the
special issue seeks to conceptualize the notion of context in algorithmic
governance by, first, perceiving of algorithmic governance as an activity
taking place in a variety of contexts and aiming at investigating these
contexts in a systematic manner. Second, by focusing not only on how
algorithms are used as tools for governance, but also on how such tools can
be governed – controlled and held to account – and what challenges such
forms of governance imply. The use of algorithms in society can imply a
moving of contestable issues from negotiable to non-negotiable spaces,
thereby reducing agency and influence of human actors. Active
recontextualizations can become an important tool to problematize such and
other consequences of algorithmic governance and reveal possible unintended
implications and effects.



The special issue builds upon a series of workshops (2019-2020) facilitated
by a networking grant from *The Joint Committee for Nordic Research
Councils in the Humanities and Social Sciences* (NOS-HS) coordinated at the
University of Helsinki, that focused on the multiplicity of contexts in
which algorithmic systems operate. Drawing upon the conceptual work
conducted during the workshops, the special issue focuses on two key
themes: multiplying the contexts of algorithmic governance and governing
algorithms in context.



*Multiplying the contexts of algorithmic governance*

Articles are invited that explore how specific conditions impact upon the
efficacy and perceived legitimacy of algorithms as tools for governance. In
particular, contributions may direct attention to the manifold everyday
practices through which algorithmic governance is effectuated and
investigate the legal, political, cultural, economic, and technological
frames that predispose and tacitly guide these. Through this focus, it
becomes clear that algorithmic governance is not only a deeply contextual
activity, but also an activity carried out within the frames of a
multiplicity of different and often competing context*s*. Identifying
exactly which contexts matter when, in which ways, and to whom becomes an
important task for the planning of algorithmic forms of governance in and
through autonomous machine learning systems. At the same time, active
recontextualization enables problematizing and resisting algorithmic
governance in cases where it is perceived as illegitimate or biased.


*Governing algorithms in context*

Articles are invited that focus on the fact that algorithms at once govern,
and are themselves governed by, either human or non-human agents. The
increased use of algorithms in all areas of life makes the question of how
to understand and sufficiently control such governing algorithms a timely
and salient area of critical inquiry. Issues such as the complexity and
opacity of algorithmic assessment and feedback systems as well as their
growing autonomy and pervasiveness are important areas of research
dedicated to improving the governance of algorithms. Articles could, for
example, aim at facilitating new technical solutions, at raising public
awareness, at informing practices of decision-makers and funding bodies, as
well as at critically assessing cultural and other responses to the
governance of algorithms.

We welcome both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives and studies
employing various social scientific methods, including comparative
case-studies, ethnography, socio-legal studies, design studies, and
historical inquiry. We particularly encourage studies that challenge the
status quo, either through innovative (mixed method) methodologies or
critical reflections on the state of the art. Papers could address, but are
not limited to, the following questions:



·       What are the different ‘realities’ constructed by the use of
algorithms in governance? How do they play out across time and space?

·       How do individuals – in private or organisational contexts – make
sense of and respond to algorithmic governance?

·       What are the similarities and differences in the deployment of
algorithmic governance within public and private sectors?

·       What are the challenges of developing effective strategies for
governing algorithms at the intersection of law and technology?

·       How can different publics be made aware of ‘algorithmic bads’,
while still benefiting from ‘algorithmic goods’?

In sum, papers can either systematically tackle the contexts of algorithmic
governance or investigate the governance of algorithms, identifying
challenges that emerge in different governance contexts.



*Guest editors:*

Daria Gritsenko, Assistant Professor in Russian Big Data Methodology,
University of Helsinki. daria.gritsenko at helsinki.fi

Annette Markham, Professor of Media & Communication, Digital Ethnography
Research Centre, RMIT, Melbourne. amarkham at gmail.com

Holger Pötzsch, Professor of Media- and Documentation Studies, UiT – The
Arctic University of Norway. holger.potzsch at uit.no

Mariëlle Wijermars, Assistant Professor in Cyber-Security and Politics,
Maastricht University. m.wijermars at maastrichtuniversity.nl



*Timeline:*

·       Extended abstract submission deadline: 30 June. Please submit here:
https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/105716/lomake.html

·       Invitation to submit full draft: 15 July

·       Deadline for full papers: 31 October



*Submission guidelines:*

Proposals of 750-1000 words should comprise an abstract and a short
description explaining how the proposed paper relates to the special issue
theme. Please submit your proposal through the submission form no later
than June 30, 2020. Invited paper submissions will be due 31 October 2020
and will undergo peer review following the usual procedures of *New Media &
Society*. Approximately 10-12 papers will be sent out for full review.
Therefore, the invitation to submit a full article does not guarantee
acceptance into the special issue. The special issue is scheduled for
publication in early 2022, with online first publication expected from
mid-2021 onwards.


*D**r **Mariëlle** Wijermars*


*Assistant Professor in Cyber-Security and Politics Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences (FASoS) *m.wijermars at maastrichtuniversity.nl
<m.wijermars at maastrichtuniversity.nl%20>
www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/p70066306  <http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/>

Visiting address: Grote Gracht 86, Maastricht, room 2.002
P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

Recent publications:
Gritsenko, D., M. Wijermars and M. Kopotev (Eds). In press. *The Palgrave
Handbook of Digital Russia Studies*. Palgrave Macmillan.
Wijermars, M., and K. Lehtisaari (Eds). 2020. *Freedom of Expression in
Russia’s New Mediasphere.* Routledge.