Research

THE UN/MAKING OF FORMS

Formographic inquiries into practice, accountability, and infra-critique

International workshop with public lecture organized by Ingmar Lippert (IT University Copenhagen), Ann-Kristin Kühnen (Technical University of Dresden) and Susann Wagenknecht (Technical University of Dresden)

In order to inquire into forms, their becomings, their appropriation and contestation, we propose formography---the detailed study of forms in (and of) practice, an approach that draws upon ethnographic observation and works with analytic perspectives from fields such as sociology, social theory, anthropology, and STS. We examine how forms are fabricated and performed, and how they support, erode, or energize one another. Forms are multiple and relational. They gain shape in relation to one another and can manage hold diverse practices together (Star & Griesemer 1989). When forms inform practices, they are being 'formed' at the same time (Scheffer 2013). Through intricate arrangements, some forms reach temporary closure---such as the coin that is sealed from two sides to prevent the manipulation of its value (Hutter 1993), locking both materiality and meaning.

Dieses Vorhaben wird gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) und dem Freistaat Sachsen im Rahmen der Exzellenzstrategie von Bund und Ländern.

The un/making of forms

DISRUPTIONS OF NETWORKED PRIVACY (DIPCY)

DIPCY ("Disruptions of networked privacy", 2021-2025) investigates disruptions of privacy in the Internet of Things. The project aims to conceptually research on disruptions and disruptive changes both conceptually and empirically. The project focuses on privacy infringements involving third parties —infringements, we argue, that harbor a particularly high potential for disruption as they affect, disturb, or even destroy existing orders of privacy. Taking its cue from current privacy research, the project pursues a context-sensitive, relational, interdisciplinary, and methodologically plural approach. It combines sociological, communication, media and technology perspectives on privacy. Project partners interweave and complement subject-specific expertise by means of three studies, i.e., (1) an ethnographic situation analysis, (2) a semi-automatic content analysis and (3) the development and evaluation of prototypes.

Principle investigators 

• Jun-Prof Susann Wagenknecht, PhD (Junior Professorship in Micro-Sociology and Techno-Social Interaction)
• Prof Dr Sven Engesser (Chair of Communication - Science and Technology Communication)
• Dr Johanna E. Möller (Chair of Communication - Science and Technology Communication)
• Dr Stefan Köpsell (Chair of Privacy and Data Security)

More details on the DIPCY-Website 

DIPCY is funded (2021-2025) by the TUD Excellence University initiative Disruptions and Societal Change (TUDiSC)"