Courses
Responsible Research and Innovation in Data Science and AI
Responsible scientific research and technological innovation (RRI) is a vital component of a flourishing and fair society. As an area of study and mode of enquiry, RRI plays a central role within academic, public, private, and third-sector organisations. This course will explore what it means to take (individual and collective) responsibility for (and over) the processes and outcomes of research and innovation in data science and AI. The notion of 'responsibility' employed throughout this course will be grounded in an understanding of the moral relationship between science, technology, and society, exploring both historical and contemporary examples of RRI practices.
As well as looking at the theoretical basis of RRI this course will also take a hands-on approach by exploring a variety of tools and procedures that can help operationalise and implement a robust notion of responsibility within research and innovation practices.
Who is this course for?
Primarily, this course is for researchers with an active interest in data science or AI research and innovation. This doesn't mean you have to be a data scientist, or a researcher using R or Python to analyse data. You could be an ethicist, sociologist, or someone with an interest in law and policy. However, the course is oriented towards research issues and related topics.
Public Engagement with Data Science and AI
This course is designed to help you understand the practical and ethical value of public engagement with data science and AI. The course begins with an introduction to different forms of public engagement, while critically examining the different methods and approaches. Then, through a series of structured seminars and workshops, you will consider the impact of public engagement upon both practices of research and innovation as well as society more broadly.
Following this general introduction, the course pivots to introduce and discuss practical methods of public engagement, including deliberative activities that help build consensus among stakeholder; transparent and explainable methods of data governance to support project activities; methods of data visualisation to support the communication of science and technology; and an awareness of social and psychological biases, which can negatively affect the goals of responsible public engagement.
Who is this course for?
Primarily, this course is for researchers with an active interest in public engagement, specifically in the context of data science and artificial intelligence. This doesn't mean you have to be a data scientist, or use Python to develop machine learning algorithms. You could also be an ethicist, sociologist, or someone with an interest in law and public policy. This course has practical, and sometimes hands-on activities that are designed to a) encourage critical reflection and b) help you build practical understanding of the processes associated with effective and responsible public engagement in data science and AI. While they can be carried out as part of individual and self-directed learning, they are most suited to group discussion.
AI Ethics and Governance
This course is designed to help you understand the fundamentals of AI Ethics and Governance. The course begins with an introduction to meta-ethics and normative theories. It then follows with the practical ways AI systems can produce diverse harms to individuals, society, and even the biosphere, as well as the values that should be upheld when thinking about AI ethics. The course then goes into a deeper dive on the following topics: AI Sustainability through Stakeholder engagement and impact assessment, AI fairness and bias mitigation, accountability and governance, explainability and transparency, and the CARE & Act principles.
Who is this course for?
Primarily, this course is for researchers with an active interest in the ethics and governance of data science and AI. This doesn't mean you have to be a data scientist or develop machine learning algorithms. You could also be an ethicist, sociologist, or someone with an interest in law and public policy. This course has practical, and sometimes hands-on activities that are designed to a) encourage critical reflection and b) help you build practical understanding of the processes associated with effective and responsible engagement with AI systems. While they can be carried out as part of individual and self-directed learning, they are most suited to group discussion.
Data Justice Research and Practice
In this course we explore the emerging movement of data justice, which seeks to apply a social justice-oriented approach to examining the range of social, political, and material concerns arising within our increasingly datafied society. The course begins with an introduction to data justice through a brief overview of the movement's history and investigates how its efforts can be advanced in its second wave. It then follows with the six pillars of data justice, which serve as guiding priorities for reorienting data justice research and practice. Finally, the course examines instances of data justice in action through a range of grassroots initiatives that are being undertaken by impacted communities across the world. You will be hearing directly from individuals and communities that have been impacted by unequitable data practices and learn more about how they have been mobilising to challenge these through a three-part documentary series.
Who is this course for?
Primarily, this course is aimed for researchers and practitioners with an active interest in understanding and challenging the range of social, political, and material concerns arising within our increasingly datafied society. This doesn't mean you have to be a data scientist or developer of machine learning algorithms. You could also be an ethicist, sociologist, social justice activist, or someone with an interest in law and public policy.