About the GeNA Lab

"We are an academic lab interested in research on emerging digital  communication technologies. We aim to drive conversation and set the agenda in these areas."  
THE GENA LAB TEAM 

OUR RESEARCH
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The GeNA Lab investigates the social and organizational impacts of information technologies, communication networks and the turn to big data in a number of sectors including genomics and health, social media, and NCAA basketball. If the 1990s was all about the information superhighway and the network society, then the first 10 years of the 21st century is perhaps best described as the decade of data. 

"IS BIG DATA NEUTRAL?" 
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Researchers and data entrepreneurs often follow a belief that gathering and mining massive amounts of data networks will give an objective insight into human relations and provide an authentic foundation for decision-making. On the surface, the technologies used to mine big data have the appearance of value-free and neutral inquiry. However, as information entrepreneurs use database and data mining technologies to purposely organize the social world, this seeming neutrality makes it difficult to see the embedded assumptions and organizational and cultural values of decision-makers.

IMPLICATIONS OF DATAFICATION

​Citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists, and political actors have incorporated digital communications technology into their organizational and everyday lives. Data mining is not a new phenomenon, but today we are witnessing unprecedented changes in the volume and nature of data networks. The new data-driven practices have many risks and opportunities. For example, the data mining by companies and governments, as well as our everyday sharing practices challenge the traditional notions of privacy and raises new questions about surveillance. ​

 WHAT WE DO
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​At the GeNA Lab we work to understand the opportunities and risks of big data technologies by engaging key stakeholders, who develop and use them, including scientists, entrepreneurs, users, and the public. We aim to disseminate scholarly outputs and policy work to an interdisciplinary community. 

HOW WE CREATE IMPACT

​We apply social science research methods, including interviews, content analysis, social network analysis, and systematic reviews to develop empirically based research to address current big data issues.  ​The new knowledge will benefit policy makers, regulators, practitioners, and users to enable best practices for future development of social networking, business, sports analytics, and health care.

Partners and Affiliations