[Privsec] Conference: *The New Surveillance*, Berlin, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2006

[Ralf Bendrath]

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*The New Surveillance – A critical analysis of research and methods in
Surveillance Studies*


A two day international Conference hosted at the
Centre for Technology and Society of the Technical University Berlin
Thursday November 30th and Friday December 1st

In recent years a new field of social research has developed that
focuses on the spreading applications of surveillance technologies in
everyday life such as video monitoring, biometrics, GIS, drug testing
and so forth. The emerging, interdisciplinary, field of Surveillance
Studies drawing on the disciplines of Sociology, Psychology, Human
Geography, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Criminology,
Organisational Studies and Socio-legal Studies has started to unravel
the consequences of the emerging Surveillance Societies. Existing
research has started to:

· identify the potential of the new technologies,
· explore the organisational context of surveillance,
· examine the practice of surveillance in a diverse set of contexts.

Despite this there remains a range of methodological issues surrounding
the conduct of the empirical research on the new surveillance
technologies. For instance, the current trend to integrate many sources
of digital data, from video to fingerprints and DNA creates a
surveillance assemblage, which gives ascendancy to the database.  As a
consequence, such systems are relatively opaque and require a high
degree and variety of knowledge to unravel their meaning and their
impact.  This necessitates an analysis that begins with the
socio-technical construction of databases and ends with the consequences
in real-word interventions in various social contexts. What constitutes
an adequate evaluation in this context is highly contested.  Is it one
that stresses issues of technical efficiency and the narrow concerns of
policy makers? Or is one that seeks to understand the wider issues
involved, including the social cultural practices that give rise to
particular outcomes. And what is about the possible unintended
consequences of the spread of the new technologies in terms of
differentiation, categorisation and social exclusion? Should this be
part of the evaluative agenda?  And of course, should the implications
for participation and governance also be considered by the proper domain
of evaluation?

In this context the conference will concentrate on the appropriateness
of various methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives for
the analysis and evaluation of new surveillance technologies. It will
focus more on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘if ‘ of the New Surveillance.
It seeks to explore the challenges confronting researchers in the face
of practices that are increasingly embedded in the ‘codes and
categorisations’ of less than transparent, but none the less social,
processes.

The conference invites members of the public and scholars from all
disciplines to explore these questions and to exchange practical
experiences with the following experts:

* Nick Tilley, Nottingham Trend University, UK
* Kevin Haggerty, University of Alberty, Canada
* Elia Zureik, Queens University, Canada
* Heidi Mork Lomell, University of Oslo, Norway
* Clive Norris, University of Sheffield, UK
* Gary T. Marx, M.I.T., USA (to be confirmed)
* Thomas Mathiesen, University of Oslo, Norway
* and others …

In addition to this panel of experts, the conference will be
complimented by a number of artistic contributions based upon the theme
of surveillance. The wide range of artistic approaches as interventions
in public spaces, choreographies including video cameras or the recent
discourse on the ‘art of control’ within the critical art scene will be
presented in lectures and performances.

It is planned that all papers given at the conference will be considered
for publication.

*Fees and Information *

Participants will need to make their own arrangements for accommodation.
The conference Fee will be € 100 for the two days and € 70 for one-day
attendance. There is a 50% reduction for students. Included in the fee
are refreshments and lunch, but not  overnight accommodation or evening
meals. There will be a conference  dinner on December 1^st at an
additional charge of € 45. For registration please visit the following
conference website: http://www.ztg.tu-berlin.de/surveillance

-- 
Dr. Leon Hempel
Technische Universität Berlin - Zentrum Technik und Gesellschaft
Technical University Berlin - Center for Technology and Society
Sekr.: P 2-2
Hardenberstraße 36 A
10623 Berlin
Tel.: +49-30-314 25373
Fax.:+49-30-314 26917
mobil:+49-178-601 4384
www.ztg.tu-berlin.de