Current Teaching

Published 30/1/2021

I currently teach on the MSc Data Science programme and the BA Digital Media and Society programme.

Data and Society // MSc Data Science

I developed the ‘Data and Society’ core Data Science module and have co-ordinated and taught that module since 2016. In its current form the module covers topics such as: informational power; bias and discrimination; epistemology; public and artists enagagements with data science; legal constraints on data processing; applied ethics.

I was the Deputy Programme Co-ordinator for the MSc Data Science programme from 2017-2020. As part of this role, I did a lot of work around how best to integrate ideas from critical data studies into Data Science curricula. I presented some of this work at Data Power conference 2017:

  • Bates J, Andrews P, Nunn E (2017) Learning with Data Scientists: reflections on teaching critical data studies to postgraduate Data Science students. Data Power 2017, Ontario, Canada, 22nd& 23rd June 2017

Most recently this involved leading a research project in the Information School exploring our evolving approach to integrating FATE (fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics) and Critical Data Studies into our MSc Data Science. Our paper was presented at ACM FAT* 2020 – you can watch the talk below.

INF109 Digital Media and Society // BA Digital Media and Society

With Prof. Helen Kennedy in Sociological Studies, I developed the Faculty of Social Sciences degree BA Digital Media and Society which was launched in 2017. The core modules of the degree are jointly delivered by the department of Sociological Studies and the Information School, with pathways currently offered by Journalism and Education. We began with a cohort of around 20 in 2017, and this has increased to 115 in 2020.

I developed the core first year module ‘Digital Media and Society’, which I co-ordinated and taught from 2017 to 2021. The module is a large 40 credit module that integrates both social science and web design teaching and assessment. I have now handed the co-ordination of the module over to my colleague Susan Oman, and only contribute to the teaching of a couple of topics.

INF6904 Doctoral Training in Information Studies

During 2018-2021, I co-ordinated and delivered a substantial part of this module as part of my role as Director of Postgraduate Research in the Information School. The module is compulsory for all new PhD students in the School, and involves a series of seminars, workshops and mini-lectures throughout the academic year that aim to help students develop the key skills and knowledge they need to become successful researchers in the field of Information Studies. I’ve now handed over co-ordination of this module to my colleague Pamela Abbott.