At the mercy of the objects, we study

Epistemic consequences of proprietary digital research infrastructures

Bibliographic Data

ID6443372
AuthorsSofie Flensburg (0000-0002-3022-5708, University of Copenhagen), Signe Sophus Lai (0000-0002-7903-7994, University of Copenhagen), Jacob Ørmen (0000-0003-4807-8395, University of Copenhagen)
Year2025
Volume27
Issue4
Pages1928-1944
Publication date2025-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448251314397
OpenAlexW4409106821
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited38

This article asks how our capacities to conduct critical research on digital power are influenced by depending, empirically and methodologically, on powerful market actors controlling the underlying research infrastructure. Building on discussions at the intersection between digital methods, political economy and infrastructure studies, we zoom in on three cases of widely used commercial data tools and repositories for academic studies. Mapping out their methods and applications, we ask of each case: Who owns and offers it? What is (not) measured? And, how is it mobilized in existing research? We thereby explore how they each contribute to the construction of knowledge by setting the standards for measuring, monitoring and ultimately regulating digital power. We conclude that the constructions of digital research infrastructures should be placed at the centre of our investigations – as objects of analysis and as research findings in and by themselves

Data science · Epistemology · Sociology · Computer Science · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Philosophy · Research Data Management Practices · Scientific Computing and Data Management