Data Management and Software Centre

Big Data in Big Science: A Social Sciences Perspective

by Dr Katherine Harrison (Lund University, Sweden & University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Europe/Stockholm
M6 (DMSC COBIS)

M6

DMSC COBIS

Description

Too often in the histories of Big Science the role of "computing" is framed as a support function or a side project to the experiments. My current research project sets out to challenge this perception by exploring ways in which data management plays a key role in knowledge production at Big Science facilities such as the European Spallation Source. Approaching the topic from a social sciences perspective, I am interested in the following questions: How do software and hardware shape the collection, processing and distribution of the vast amounts of data generated in Big Science experiments? And what effect does this have on the knowledge produced? How do design and use of data management software affect the creation of national and international collaborations between researchers, institutions and industry?

Katherine is a researcher whose expertise lies in the field of cultural studies of technoscience, with particular interest in digital technologies. She is currently part of a project financed by the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation titled “The Rise of the New Big Science: Opportunities and challenges for nations, universities and science” (2015-2018) together with Thomas Kaiserfeld, Kerstin Sandell and Mats Benner. Her part of this project focuses on big data and data management. You can read more about her here: http://www.gender.lu.se/katherine-harrison