The Cambridge Center

The Cambridge Centre for the Humanities and Social Change, hosted by the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, is developing two four-year projects to investigate the interface between technology, expertise and social change: Giving Voice to Digital Democracies & Expertise under pressure.

News

Economists in the City

 Economists in the City 758 460 Cléo Chassonnery-Zaïgouche

When and why did the expertise and knowledge of economists become so highly valued in the world of public policy? Our blogged conference explores this question by bringing together historians of economics, economists, urban policy experts and social scientists.

Blog

Searching for the facts in a global pandemic

 Searching for the facts in a global pandemic 1024 683 Shauna Concannon

In times of great uncertainty, such as global pandemics, the appetite for reliable and trustworthy information increases. We look to official authorities and our peers for guidance. However, as has quickly become evident, the veracity and authenticity of information being circulated is not always sound. As people are increasingly connected to their devices, checking social…

Economists in the City #2

 Economists in the City #2 1024 740 Cléo Chassonnery-Zaïgouche

Cities and Space: Towards a History of ‘Urban Economics’ by Beatrice Cherrier & Anthony Rebours

Economists in the City #1

 Economists in the City #1 1024 780 Cléo Chassonnery-Zaïgouche

Economists in the City: Reconsidering the History of Urban Policy Expertise: An introduction, by Mike Kenny and Cléo Chassonnery-Zaïgouche

Shutterstock/asiandelight

Tackling the Problem of Online Hate Speech

 Tackling the Problem of Online Hate Speech 370 275 Stefanie Ullmann

In recent years, the automatic detection of online hate speech has become an active research topic in machine learning. Towards the end of 2019, two Cambridge-based researchers, Dr Marcus Tomalin and Dr Stefanie Ullmann proposed a quarantining approach to online HS. Now, a first prototype app is available.

The SAGE we knew and the SAGE ‘everyone’ now knows and wants to scrutinise

 The SAGE we knew and the SAGE ‘everyone’ now knows and wants to scrutinise 960 640 Hannah Baker

Public awareness in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), or more specifically the scientists said to be guiding the Government’s COVID-19 decisions, is leading to increased scrutiny and calls for transparency.  Thinking back to January 2020, in the days we as UK residents were living our ‘normal’ everyday lives, going to pubs, travelling abroad…

Cultures of expertise and politics of behavioral science: A conversation with Erik Angner

 Cultures of expertise and politics of behavioral science: A conversation with Erik Angner 1024 682 Hannah Baker

Erik Angner Photo credit: Niklas Björling/ Stockholm University As part of our new series on expertise and COVID-19, Mike Kenny and Anna Alexandrova interview Professor Erik Angner of Stockholm University. Erik is a philosopher and an economist writing on behavioral economics, economists as experts, measurement of happiness and wellbeing, Hayek, and the nature of preferences among other…

A disaster researcher’s views on knowledge domains and information flows

 A disaster researcher’s views on knowledge domains and information flows 372 402 Hannah Baker

Dr Emma Doyle Dr Emma Hudson-Doyle is based at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University/GNS Science, Wellington, New Zealand. Her interests lie at the interface between physical science and critical decision makers, with a primary focus on the communication of science advice during natural hazard events. Current research focuses on the communication of…

Disaster Response | Knowledge Domains and Information Flows

 Disaster Response | Knowledge Domains and Information Flows 1024 683 Hannah Baker

An Expertise Under Pressure Workshop 11 February 2020 Cripps Court, Magdalene College, Cambridge Organised by Hannah Baker, Rob Doubleday and Emily So Cripps Court, Magdalene College The ‘Disaster Response | Knowledge Domains and Information Flows’ workshop on the 11 February 2020 formed part of the Expertise Under Pressure Project (EuP), specifically the Rapid Decisions Under Risk case study. The…

Are the experts responsible for bad disaster response?

 Are the experts responsible for bad disaster response? 499 310 Federico Brandmayr

A few lessons for the coronavirus outbreak from L’Aquila ~ ~ ~ A few weeks ago, a Facebook group called 3e32 and based in the Italian city of L’Aquila posted a message stating: “whether it is a virus or lack of prevention, science should always protect its independence from the power of those who guarantee…

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convening the First Novel Coronavirus Expert Meeting. 16 Feburary 2020

Reading Elizabeth Anderson in the time of COVID-19

 Reading Elizabeth Anderson in the time of COVID-19 800 533 Federico Brandmayr

The pandemic is a good time to reflect on expertise (if you have the luxury). During this particular emergency, governments appear to pay heed to experts. Or at least they do now that the extent of the crisis is clear. The public and the media show them respect and even reverence. This is especially true…