Algorithms are increasingly invoked as powerful entities that control, govern, sort, regulate, and shape everything from financial trades to news media. Nevertheless, the nature and implications of such orderings are far from clear. What exactly is it that algorithms “do”? What is the role attributed to “algorithms” in these arguments? How can we turn the “problem of algorithms” into an object of productive inquiry?

This conference sets out to explore the recent rise of algorithms as an object of interest in scholarship, policy, and practice. Taking a fresh view on the current wave of interest in the topic, we aim to discuss themes such as:

-the very idea of “algorithms” as a subject and object of analysis
-issues of methodology and the kind of knowledge claims that come with algorithms
-the rhetoric of problems and solutions, in which algorithms are mobilized
-questions of agency and automation
-conceptions of secrecy or inscrutability
-normative concerns
-rules and regulations surrounding development and implementation

Speakers include: Lucas Introna, Tarleton Gillespie, Evgeny Morozov, Daniel Neyland, Frank Pasquale, Claudia Perlich, Robert Tarjan as well as Mike Annany, Kate Crawford, Lisa Gitelman, Moritz Hardt, Matthew Jones, Karrie Karahalios, and Martha Poon.

The conference is free, but since space is limited we are requiring registration. We hope you’ll join us on May 16-17, 2013.