We are excited to announce that one of Umeå University’s Honorary Doctors at the Faculty of Social Sciences for 2024 will be Professor Helen Kennedy, University of Sheffield. She will be awarded the title at the 2024 Annual Celebration. Greg Neely, Dean of Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, says: "It's an honour to recognise Professor Kennedy, whose trailblazing work in digital sociology and interdisciplinary research has shaped both the academic landscape and the pursuit of a more ethical and inclusive digital society". "Honouring a leading scholar in this area is a way to highlight DIGSUM as a premier research hub within our faculty", says Neely.
Everyone is welcome to attend her lecture titled What Does a Good Digital Society Look Like?
When — 10.40 - 11.10 on Saturday, October 19 (Refreshments served at 10.20)
Where — Samhällsvetarhuset, Lindellhallen 4 (UB.A.240)
Professor Kennedy is being recognised for her many years of work in developing and paving the way for interdisciplinary digital social research. Her research interests, deeply committed to understanding digital technology's social and political implications, resonate with DIGSUM’s interdisciplinary ethos. Her critical insights into data ethics, transparency, and the sociopolitical dimensions of datafication have not only advanced academic discourse but have also spurred practical interventions aimed at fostering a more inclusive digital society. Beyond academia, her commitment to societal impact is evident through her work with street children in Paraguay and her engagements in the UK with the Workers’ Educational Association.
Her prolific work, including books like Post, Mine, Repeat, and an extensive list of peer-reviewed articles exploring the nuances of public perceptions of datafication, digital inequality, and the ethics of digital representation, underscore her standing as one of the leading voices in the field.
Under Professor Kennedy's direction, the Living With Data project, which is currently ongoing, highlights her capacity to bridge academic research with societal needs. Her engagement with diverse research groups and international academic societies further demonstrates her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and global dialogue on digital society challenges.