A conversation with Phil Brooker about Programming-as-Social Science

In this podcast, we talk to Phillip Brooker about Programming as Social Science. This approach to social inquiry involves using programming as a toolkit for social research, facilitating a style of inquiry above and beyond particular research methods. At a time when we’re dependent upon digital platforms for the core operations of the university, with face-to-face fieldwork being profoundly disrupted, this approach helps us move beyond treating platforms as blackboxes. It’s a really innovative approach to methodology for digital social research which can help us get beyond the tendency to see digital methods as second best alternatives for disrupted fieldwork, inviting creative and expansive approaches to the challenges which we’re currently faced with. If you’re interested in finding out more, Phillip has written an accessible and engaging book and we jointly run the Programming as Social Science network.