The Social Life of Disaster Data: Lessons from Crisis Informatics

Robert Soden, Assistant Professor, Computer Science & School of the Environment

Abstract: My work draws from humanities, social sciences, and design research methods to evaluate and improve the information systems we use to understand environmental issues – disasters and climate change in particular. I show that there is significant opportunity to reimagine and reinvent many of the metrics of environmental risk, impact, and recovery that inform current public policy and understanding of these issues. This talk will provide an overview of my research, highlight several recent projects, and discuss future directions.

Brief Bio: Robert is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto working on crisis informatics, human-centered computing (HCC), and science and technology studies (STS). His research uses critical and participatory design tactics to evaluate and improve the technologies we use to understand and respond to environmental challenges like disasters and climate change. Robert holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Colorado Boulder, a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University and Bachelors Degrees in History and Political Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Location: ONLINE. To register for this event, please open the Eventbrite page.