Alex Hardy
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital technology, the intersection of data science and innovative research methodologies is becoming increasingly crucial. The recent Association of Internet Researchers (AOIR) conference in Philadelphia, USA, organized by Temple University, underscored this fusion of creativity and data-driven research.
The AOIR conference, known for its interdisciplinary reach, brought together scholars from around the globe. It has a tradition of rotating its venues across continents, with past conferences in Europe, the US, Canada, South Korea, and Australia. This year, the theme was aptly titled “Revolutions,” focusing on the seismic shifts in technology and their societal impacts. Topics ranged from surveillance, disinformation, and social media to the frontiers of artificial intelligence. These presentations were not just academic discourses but also delved into how technology’s advancement presents challenges and opportunities for society at large.
Our team’s contribution, albeit methodological, added a novel dimension to the conference. We presented our experiences with the LEGO “Attitudes to Data” workshops conducted in the UK. This approach, blending playful creativity with serious data analysis, required us to transport sizeable Lego sets across the Atlantic – a unique challenge in itself! The workshop’s design, pilot runs, and iterative refinements were shared, along with some preliminary insights from our sessions. The highlight was the hands-on segment, where attendees engaged in building challenges, fostering a deeper understanding through experiential learning.
The feedback from the audience and organizers was encouraging, with enthusiastic responses shared on social media. This positive reception also opened the possibility of hosting a pre-conference workshop at the next AOIR conference in Sheffield, indicating the growing interest in innovative research methodologies.
In conclusion, the AOIR conference was not only a platform for disseminating academic knowledge but also a confluence of diverse perspectives on the technological revolution. As data science continues to shape our understanding of the digital world, integrating creative methodologies like our LEGO workshops will be crucial in making complex concepts accessible and engaging. The conference was a testament to the vibrant and multidisciplinary nature of internet research, and we look forward to contributing further to this evolving field.
Thank you, AOIR, and Philadelphia, for a memorable and insightful experience!
