At a third level of impact, we can consider the social, economic, or political changes caused by one’s research processes or products, in both the short and long term. (Annette Markham, "OKCupid data release fiasco: It’s time to rethink ethics education," 2016, emphasis added)
Some questions to consider:
- Whose labor and what materials are used to make the digital tools you use?
- Could your research or project be used to justify or facilitate potentially harmful control or surveillance?
- Could it influence social or political discourse? Modes of profit?
Think about the digital project or research you are or will be working on.
- Whose labor and what materials do you rely upon to do your work?
- Could your research or project be used to justify or facilitate potentially harmful control or surveillance - by e.g. the state, a vigilante group, an abusive partner?
- How could your work cause changes to or justify social, economic or political discourses?
- Will your work be used for profit, for who?
Pair up with another person near you and discuss. Share as a class.