We are pleased to announce a Social Theory Centre seminar this term with Dr. Sanjay Sharma (Brunel University), speaking on 'Digital Racism: Networks, Algorithms & Power Laws.'

When: November 12, 5 pm - 6:30 pm (with drinks after)
Where: S0.18, Social Sciences

Abstract

Why is it so difficult to challenge online racism?

The escalation of racism on the web is overwhelming the capability of social media companies, government and civil society to tackle it's toxic effects. And the increasing normalisation of online racisim is attempting to silence 'minority' voices. There has been a failure to grasp the complexity of digital racism as a sociotechnical phenomenon. My talk explores the ecology of digital racism as a sociotechnical phenomenon. My talk explores the ecology of digital racism: the connections and entanglements of racism between users, interfaces, algorithms and the affordances of communication platforms.

Biography

Dr Sanjay Sharma teaches in the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Brunel University London. He has widely published in the areas of race and digital culture, alterity and difference, and is currently completing a monograph exploring the ecology of digital racism (Rowman & Littlefield). He is a founding editor of the online open access darkmatter Journal. @sanjay_digital