Digital and Algorithmic Constructions of Identities: a conversation

Our everyday world is deeply mediated via digital technologies, such as digital platforms, mobile phone apps and wearable sensors, that capture data traces about our activities. These data are circulated, compiled and compared to construct ways of re-presenting our selves as digital selves that stand in for our lived bodies. Algorithms further mobilise and re-constitute our digital identities which are used for curating recommendations, assessing risk, confirming identity, control and surveillance, and providing services.

This conversation with researchers variously studying how digital devices and algorithms classify, confirm and score to re-present racial, gender, sexual and child identities will explore what such digital and algorithmic constructions mean to personal experience, social relations, the operation of power, and the delivery of social services.

An interactive discussion with Dr Thao Phan and Dr Chris O’Neill both of Monash University and chaired by Professor Paul Henman, of The University of Queensland.