*European Datawars: Fighting Terrorism through Data *
University of Amsterdam, 11-12 June 2009
/Confirmed participants/: *Louise Amoore*
(Durham University); *Kirstie Ball* (Open
University); *Debbie Lisle* (Queen?s University
Belfast); *Luis Lobo-Guerrero* (Keele
University);* Beate Roessler* (University of
Amsterdam); *Marieke de Goede* (University of Amsterdam)
After 9/11, many European states adopted a
so-called ?intelligence-led approach? to
combating terrorism. This approach stresses
proactive and sometimes massive information
gathering and data exchange in order to prevent
and preempt terrorist attacks. Two important
characteristics of this approach are: increased
cooperation with private authorities to obtain a
wide range of information and a strong belief
that terrorism can be prevented through smart
technologies. These technologies, often
initially designed for commercial purposes,
allow law enforcement and intelligence agencies
to ?connect the dots? through profiling, data
mining, social network analysis, risk analysis
and other predictive technologies.
This workshop explores questions relating to the
implications for ethics, responsibility and
political decision of the new data-led approach
to fighting terrorism in Europe. Critics have
highlighted the impact of counter terrorism
policy on principles of liberal governance such
as respect for human rights, rule of law,
individual freedom and democratic rule.
Furthermore, important theoretical issues can be
raised in this context, for example with regard
to public-private security cooperation, the
constitution of ?Europe? through these
practices; the relation between sovereignty and
governmentality and the politics of risk and
preemption in the war on terror. A continued
debate is needed, on the one hand to better
understand the practices in the intelligence-led
fight against terrorism, and on the other hand
to identify the possibilities, limits and
consequences of the fight against terrorism through data.
We welcome paper proposals from researchers
across the social sciences and the humanities
that reflect on both the theoretical
implications and the practical manifestations of
European datawars. Possible themes are:
* *
· Ethics, responsibility and justice in European datawars
· Privacy, security and human rights
· Risk, prevention, preemption
· Datawars and surveillance
· Private authorities, states and the European Union
· Constituting Europe through datawars
Abstracts of 200-300 words should be sent to
Mara Wesseling, University of Amsterdam
((M.Wesseling /at/ uva.nl)) by March 1. We will select
contributions by March 20. Paper drafts should
be submitted by May 15 2009. Work in progress is welcome.
----------------------------
Dr. Maura Conway
MA Programme Director
School of Law & Government
Dublin City University
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 700 6472
E-Mail. (maura.conway /at/ dcu.ie)
