School of Social and Political Science

Description

This seminar forms part of the Research Training Centre's Talking Methods seminar series delivered in association with the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS).

Abstract

This seminar discusses digital research in spaces and platforms that are increasingly fractured, or are characterised by deliberate secrecy. Using the examples of darknet research and research with online drug discussion forums it presents a range of methods and questions that can be applied. I present my own and others’ work using ethnography, digital trace analysis and machine learning. We will discuss how different data forms can be brought together effectively and principles of co-design that can be applied.

Biography

Angus Bancroft is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. He is currently researching digital platforms in informal economies, AI for harm reduction, cyber-security, illicit markets and views of darknet users.

Profile: https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/angus-bancroft