wp2 / DC6

Visualization and physicalizing of data for public sense-making in democratic circular transitions

This doctoral project focuses on increasing public participation in democratic processes that address sustainable transitions by facilitating citizen engagement with and through data.

Daniele’s research investigates the roles of data practices in public participation, and more specifically in the context of citizens’ assemblies. The study first investigated existing institutional assemblies, initiated and supported by the public administration, in Denmark and Spain. This analysis of these cases looked into how data visualisation was used, and how it impacted citizens’ participation.

The focus is now shifting towards grassroots processes led by the civil society, where participatory work around data will be explored, co-designed, tested and assessed. Through a PAR approach, the research will explore the potential of collaborative data practices for supporting sense-making, deliberative discussion and decision-making.

The theoretical and methodological structure of the project will be developed in collaboration with the departments of Culture and Learning and Architecture, Design and Media Technology at Aalborg University, Copenhagen. Visualisation and materialisation of data for public participation and use imply that the candidate defines a methodological framework that includes methods/tools to analyse and represent data and methods/tools to support participation.

Climate-KIC (Denmark) (3 months) with mentor Dr Carolina Giraldo
Stockholm Environment Institute (Sweden) (6 months) with mentor Dr Fiona Lambe.