Computational Social Science and Humanities

Welcome to Computational Social Science and Humanities

Description:

Since 2012, the Techno-Anthropology Lab at AAU has been a hub for computational SSH engaging in a wide range of discussions and development activities with national and international collaborators.

 We offer either an introductory (3 ECTS) or comprehensive (6 ECTS) course in computational SSH.

In the introductory course, participants will (1) explore seminal texts written or co-written by TANTlab members, (2) engage directly with the authors, (3) write 7 reflexive papers connecting seminar topics to their PhD projects

The comprehensive course includes the same activities as the introductory course. In addition, the participants will: (4) interview the authors, (5) write 3 additional reflexive papers, (6) develop their thinking and own contributions to computational SSH through a series of peer learning follow-up seminars and paper writing exercises.

The key activities and task for the participants in the comprehensive course: 

Programme outline:

 Computational Social Science and Humanities

Early sessions: 9-10, Late sessions 13-14.

Online paper seminars (hosted by Torben Elgaard Jensen + a variety of guests):

7 January – Participatory Data Design (early session), Torben Elgaard Jensen

7 January – Data Publics (late session), Anders Koed Madsen

14 January - Critical Proximity (early session), Andreas Birkbak

14 January - AI & Computational Anthropology (late session), Mathieu Jacomy

21 January  - Experimentalism (early session), Anders Koed Madsen
21 January - Mixed Ethnographic Methods (late session), Torben Elgaard Jensen
28 January – Sensing data (early session), Mette Abildgaard

28 January - Pluriversal Stories (late session), Astrid Oberborbeck Andersen
4 February - Mapping Algorithms (early session), Anders Munk
4 February - Care & Security (late session), Laura Kocksch

Peer learning seminars (Teacher: Torben Elgaard Jensen):

25 Feb 2026 - Peer learning seminar 1, Papers on conceptual overview of computational SSH

26 Mar 2026 - Peer learning seminar 2, Papers on analysis of a tangible cases or development projects

29 April 2026 - Peer learning seminar 3, Papers on implications and applications of computational SSH

Basic knowledge of Science & Technology studies, and SSH methods.

Lecturers: Torben Elgaard Jensen, Anders Koed Madsen, Andreas Birbak, Morten Krogh Petersen, Mathieu Jacomy, Mette Abildgaard, Astrid Oberborbeck, Laura Kocksch

ECTS: 3 or 6

Place: 

City: Aalborg

Number of seats:

Deadline: 

Mandatory literature:

Abildgaard, M. S. (2025). Sensing data: Towards ethnographic methods for data positionality. Big Data & Society, 12(3), 20539517251361113.

Andersen, A.O.. (2023). PLURIVERSAL TUNDRA. Storying Multipolar Climes of the Himalaya, Andes and Arctic: Anthropocenic Climate and Shapeshifting Watery Lifeworlds, 69.

Birkbak, A., Petersen, M. K., & Jensen, T. E. (2015). Critical Proximity as a Methodological Move in Techno-Anthropology. Techne: Research in Philosophy & Technology, 19(2).

Jensen, T. E. (2024). The Slalom Method: How to zig-zag between digital methods and traditional methods in ethnography. Qualitative Research, 24(2), 229-248.

Jensen, T. E., Birkbak, A., Madsen, A. K., & Munk, A. K. (2021). Participatory Data Design: Acting in a digital world. In Making & doing: Activating STS through knowledge expression and travel (pp. 117-136). MIT press.

Kocksch, L., Korn, M., Poller, A., & Wagenknecht, S. (2018). Caring for IT security: Accountabilities, moralities, and oscillations in IT security practices. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 2(CSCW), 1-20.

Madsen, A. K. (2023). Digital methods as ‘experimental a priori’–how to navigate vague empirical situations as an operationalist pragmatist. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies.

Madsen, A. K., & Munk, A. K. (2019). Experiments with a data-public: Moving digital methods into critical proximity with political practice. Big Data & Society, 6(1), 2053951718825357.

Munk, A. K., Jacomy, M., Ficozzi, M., & Jensen, T. E. (2024). Beyond artificial intelligence controversies: What are algorithms doing in the scientific literature?. Big Data & Society, 11(3), 20539517241255107.

Munk, A. K., Olesen, A. G., & Jacomy, M. (2022). The thick machine: Anthropological AI between explanation and explication. Big Data & Society, 9(1), 20539517211069891.

 Suggested literature for the comprehensive course:

 Downey, G., & Zuiderent-Jerak, T. (Eds.). (2021). Making & doing: Activating STS through knowledge expression and travel. MIT Press.

 Vertesi, J., & Ribes, D. (2019). DigitalSTS: A field guide for science & technology studies. Princeton University Press.

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.