At GfM, there is currently much interest and movement along questions of methodologies in (German) media research. This is especially true for the discussion of methods in digital media research, which are currently a focus of debate at GfM and its Open Media Studies blog. As Open Media Studies SIG, we believe that these discussions should thoroughly consider aspects of openness, access and participation. Inequalities between different local and global groups become apparent through issues like: access to stable electricity and internet networks; up-to-date hard- and software; language skills; available experts (i.e. programmers), etc. These inequalities (‘Digital Divides’) exist on a big scale, between the global North and the global South, but also on a small scale, between poor and rich segments of western societies. From a media studies perspective, questions of technology and infrastructure cannot be treated separately from questions of social, political and cultural conditions, and in particular equality of educational opportunities.
The SIG aims to
- foster the reflection on technological research infrastructure with regard to concepts of ‘openness’.
- assess for concrete examples who has access to what? What new inclusion and exclusion mechanisms do (new) participatory modes convey?
If you are interested to join our discussions and activities in this field please feel free to contact the SIG members:
Sarah-Mai Dang, Simon David Hirsbrunner, Alena Strohmaier (see contact details below)