The Young Academy is drawing up a manifesto to make recommendations for the use of technological solutions offered by big tech companies.
Tech solutions in science, such as an ICT system to track output, are different from a new desk. These types of ICT systems not only store all kinds of data about scientists and students, they also influence them: from small 'nudges' about what you should read or who you should collaborate with, to explicit assessments of scientists and departments. In addition, they influence the autonomy over research data and results. Yet these aspects are hardly taken into account when choosing a new ICT system. The Young Academy wants to initiate a broad discussion about the values behind the use of big tech solutions.
Fundamental values
Big tech companies are playing an increasingly important role in academic institutions, including in research and education. Behind the choices for these technological solutions lies a fundamental discussion of values. However, most universities consider the choice of whether and which technological solutions to use as purely administrative, comparable to the purchase of furniture or office supplies.
Recommendations for technical solutions
The Young Academy wants to initiate a broad discussion about the values behind the use of (big) tech solutions. That is why it is drawing up a manifesto for academic institutions, in order to make recommendations for the use of technological solutions offered by big tech companies. Experts from SURF and the Rathenau Institute, among others, were consulted for this. The manifesto will be published in the spring of 2025.
Involved (former) members
Fleur Zeldenrust, Anton Akhmerov, Léonie de Jonge, Cynthia Liem, Linnet Taylor