ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures
We live in a sociodigital world – a world where society and digital technology are increasingly bound together. Founded in 2022, we bring together leading interdisciplinary expertise to explore sociodigital futures in the making. www.bristol.ac.uk/censof
- Dear future, where is the love? 💗 Read this lively new blog post from @mothercyborg.bsky.social about her visit to Bristol, community technology and the power of quilting 🪡 bit.ly/4szdS60
- Job vacancy! We're looking for a Senior Research Associate in Immersive Futures to join our team. Full time, fixed term until Oct 2026. More info and apply ➡️ bit.ly/48BPsR6
- Welcome Alistair Gentry @alistairgentry.bsky.social one of four artists in residence at CenSoF. Alistair will be collaborating with researchers to make creative and speculative work, exploring sociodigital futures issues. We look forward to working together!
- Calling all artists and creatives! We're looking for a producer/creator for a paid part time role, working with our artists in residence to help put together an exhibition of their work. More info and apply: bit.ly/4nTJBer Deadline: 27 Nov ⏰
- Job opportunity! We're looking for a Senior Research Associate to work on a study of the environmental sustainability of future 5G and 6G networks More info and to apply 👉 bit.ly/47oB2U3 Deadline 24 November ⏰
- We still have spaces left - grab yours now! A great opportunity to hear from @mothercyborg.bsky.social who's visiting from Detroit 👇
- Public Lecture: Community Technology in Detroit with Mother Cyborg 🤖 Diana Nucera, aka Mother Cyborg, is a Detroit-based multimedia artist who will share the breadth of her work in this hybrid lecture. 📅4 Nov 4.30 - 6.30pm 📍7 Priory Rd, BS8 1TZ Book now: bit.ly/4h8EmpG
- Listen to our second podcast on ‘Claiming Tomorrow – Sociodigital Futures in the Making’, as we explore the ‘how’. Susan Halford is joined by Jessica Pykett, Debbie Watson, Paul Clarke & Beckie Coleman. 👉 bit.ly/4nnf0pt @susanjhalford.bsky.social @profdebw.bsky.social @rcecoleman.bsky.social
- 📢 New podcast! Claiming Tomorrow - Sociodigital Futures in the Making. "What sociodigital futures are being claimed?" Hear from Debbie Watson, David Evans, Bridget Anderson and Rich Hemming in this fascinating episode: bit.ly/46Pc1B5
- Public Lecture: Community Technology in Detroit with Mother Cyborg 🤖 Diana Nucera, aka Mother Cyborg, is a Detroit-based multimedia artist who will share the breadth of her work in this hybrid lecture. 📅4 Nov 4.30 - 6.30pm 📍7 Priory Rd, BS8 1TZ Book now: bit.ly/4h8EmpG
- What comes to mind if someone asks you to draw some fruit? Or a fridge? Emma Atkins, PhD student at CenSoF researching fridge design and food waste, has written a fascinating blog from a recent food research workshop 👉 bit.ly/4gZX2HT
- Day 4 of the RC33 conference saw another stream of conference papers, as well as a presentation on LLMs from Susan Halford and Les Carr, and a session on 'Qualitative Multimodal Approaches' where Beckie Coleman presented a paper. Thank you for all the high calibre contributions and discussions 👋
- Buon appetito! A well earned lunch for CenSoF academics and panellists at the RC33 Conference in Naples. It's been a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with our international partners - bringing together experts in methods of sociodigital research 🌍 #RC33 #isa #methodology
- At day 2 of the RC33 conference we presented a stream of papers on ‘Methodological Challenges and Approaches for Sociodigital Research’. Thank you to everyone who contributed and offered a such interesting insights 👏
- We're enjoying attending the RC33 International Conference in Naples - kicking off with a training workshop on ‘Sociological Engagements with Large Language Models’ Next up is a stream of conference papers on ‘Methodological Challenges and Approaches for Sociodigital Research’.
- Brilliantly thought-provoking workshop on critical and ethical sociological engagement with LMMs in Naples this morning led by @jessogden.bsky.social @lescarr.bsky.social @sociodigfutures.bsky.social @bdfi.bsky.social #rc33 #isa #11ICSSM #Methodology
- Deadline this Friday! ⏰ Don't miss your chance to apply for a creative residency with us 👩🎨
- Calling all artists, designers and creatives! 🎨 We have four paid Sociodigital Futures Residencies up for grabs, starting in October. Full info and how to apply ➡️ bit.ly/3JKo4q0 Application deadline: 19 September 📅
- How will technology help an ageing population? Does the older generation fear or favour smart-home technologies? 🤖 Visiting fellow Miguel Gomez Hernandez from Monash University @monashuniversity.bsky.social explores this and more in his new guest blog 👉 bit.ly/4gcMQLG
- Reserve your webinar place now! Charisse Louw, researcher at Stellenbosch University who visited us in the summer, will be hosting two webinars this autumn with @britsoci.bsky.social British Sociological Association: 📍 6 October seminar: 👉 bit.ly/3JjQpDI 📍 27 October workshop: 👉 bit.ly/3HxInGL
- Calling all artists, designers and creatives! 🎨 We have four paid Sociodigital Futures Residencies up for grabs, starting in October. Full info and how to apply ➡️ bit.ly/3JKo4q0 Application deadline: 19 September 📅
- How do we think about the future in a world of overlapping crises? Listen as Sarah Pink and Susan Halford explore how futures anthropology can offer new ways of understanding the polycrisis. researchpod.org/university-o... #sociodigitalfutures @pinkydigital.bsky.social @susanjhalford.bsky.social
- What kind of future is being promised for education? This paper feels more relevant than ever. We explore how tech visions frame change in education - and who they serve. research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfil... @benpatrickwill.bsky.social @arathings.bsky.social @kerifacer.bsky.social
- As parenting moves online, many parents are experiencing a new kind of burnout. In our new blog, Camila Moyano Dávila unpacks the emotional toll of WhatsApp school groups & constant digital demands. Read more: sociodigitalfutures.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2025/06/23/b... #sociodigitalfutures
- @kerifacer.bsky.social & @arathings.bsky.social recently joined partners @unesco.org to discuss a new Futures of Education Observatory. In our latest blog, Keri reflects on questions the observatory may address. sociodigitalfutures.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2025/06/19/f... #sociodigitalfutures
- Reposted by ESRC Centre for Sociodigital FuturesInvestigating ✨hyped✨ technologies means much more than just ‘debunking’ - this is what the amazing range of presenters at the critical hype studies panel at STS Italia 2025 showed They also made a very kind audience for my first time presenting my research at @sociodigfutures.bsky.social
- Event reminder: There's still time to book tickets to join us next week for an exciting day of activities from visiting fellow Charisse Louw. Details below ⬇️
- ✨Join us on 26 June for a dynamic day here in Bristol ~ workshops, reading sessions & embodied practice on Black technopoetics, Afropresentism & more from Centre visitor Charisse Louw (Stellenbosch).✨ More info and book: buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... #sociodigitalfutures #AfroMedia #EmbodiedMethods
- It was a privilege hearing Prof Sarah Pink @pinkydigital.bsky.social give a public lecture on Futures Anthropology, Foresight & the Polycrisis yesterday. Thanks to all, especially Sarah. Missed it? There will be a podcast coming soon... #SociodigitalFutures #FuturesAnthropology #Polycrisis
- ✨Join us on 26 June for a dynamic day here in Bristol ~ workshops, reading sessions & embodied practice on Black technopoetics, Afropresentism & more from Centre visitor Charisse Louw (Stellenbosch).✨ More info and book: buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... #sociodigitalfutures #AfroMedia #EmbodiedMethods
- Earlier this year we had the pleasure of hearing @dawnlyon.bsky.social give a fascinating talk on her research into uncertain futures and disturbed temporal rhythms of the pandemic. She’s now shared her insights in a new blog post, live today sociodigitalfutures.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2025/05/06/u...
- Just four weeks until Sarah Pink's guest lecture here at @bristoluni.bsky.social. For those who can't make it in person, we'll be also be streaming live online. Make sure you book your ticket for what promises to be a brilliant lecture!
- It’s an honour to be welcoming Sarah Pink (@monashuniversity.bsky.social) to Bristol this summer to speak at the School of Sociology, Politics & International Studies annual lecture, in partnership with our Centre. This is going to be popular! Book early at www.tickettailor.com/events/esrcc...
- Reposted by ESRC Centre for Sociodigital FuturesRegistration for this year's Bristol Data Week at @bristoluni.bsky.social is now open! Join us from 2 - 6 June as we showcase exciting data science research through a range of free seminars and workshops. Check out the full schedule now: 2ly.link/26AmK #BDW2025 #BristolDataWeek2025
- Space is a key feature of social life. But does the digitalisation of society affect its spatial dimensions, and if so, how? Listen to our latest podcast with Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki and Dale Southerton researchpod.org/university-o... #sociodigitalfutures @leverhulme.ac.uk
- 📣 Reminder! Don’t miss your chance to hear from Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki once again! After a fully-booked talk earlier this year, Ted returns on 14 May for a public lecture exploring how digitalisation is transforming associations in society. Book tickets below ⬇️
- Join us on 14 May for a public lecture from Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki. Following his fully-booked talk earlier this month, Ted returns to the lectern for a second lecture on associations of digitalising societies. buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social
- It’s an honour to be welcoming Sarah Pink (@monashuniversity.bsky.social) to Bristol this summer to speak at the School of Sociology, Politics & International Studies annual lecture, in partnership with our Centre. This is going to be popular! Book early at www.tickettailor.com/events/esrcc...
- Excited to announce publication of our latest paper 'Sociodigital Practices: Mobilising and Challenging Social Practice Theory' written by Dale Southerton & @susanjhalford.bsky.social, published in The Journal of Practice Theory. ojs.library.lancs.ac.uk/jpt/article/... #sociodigitalfutures
- Hear Centre co-investigator and swarm expert @sabinehauert.bsky.social talk about how swarm robotics has taken inspiration from nature to make large numbers of robots work together to achieve common goals.
- NEW VIDEO Swarm engineering expert @sabinehauert.bsky.social explains how recent developments in robotics and AI can revolutionise our lives, and why these swarm systems can be trusted. Watch now: youtu.be/E6iJx4ePQCc
- Join us on 14 May for a public lecture from Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki. Following his fully-booked talk earlier this month, Ted returns to the lectern for a second lecture on associations of digitalising societies. buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social
- Could you help shed light on how smart technology is changing family dynamics? We're looking for families to take part in a study on how smart technology is changing family dynamics. Find out how to get involved ukdataservice.ac.uk/2025/02/25/c... @nicolahorsley.bsky.social #sociodigitalfutures
- Sparks Bristol transforms a former dept store into a hub for sustainability, creativity & learning. This paper explores how immersive spaces, both physical & digital, help people imagine alternative and possible futures. Read hdl.handle.net/1983/5b7f95a... #sociodigitalfutures #futures #SDGs
- Thanks to all who joined the lecture 'Digitalization of Spaces' by Leverhulme Visiting Prof Theodore Schatzki last night. We had lots of questions & have been answering some we didn't have time for over on LinkedIn ➡️ If you missed the talk – don’t worry! We’ll be releasing a podcast from Ted soon.
- Final call! Are you thinking of submitting to join us at the @isa-sociology.bsky.social and Methodology conference in Naples this summer? There are just a few days left to submit abstracts - deadline 15 March. Details below ⬇️
- Call for abstracts! How can we research a world where the social & the digital are increasingly entangled? What are the methodological challenges & what methods can be used? Join us in Naples this Sept for a panel event exploring sociodigital research. Deadline 15 March. rc33.org/call-for-abs...
- There's just one week to go before what promises to be a brilliant lecture from Theodore Schatzki. Tickets are going fast but there are still a few places left to join us online. Booking link below.
- Public lecture announcement! We're honoured to be joined this term by Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki and invite you to a free public lecture 'Spaces of Digitalising Societies' on 11 March in Bristol and online. Find out more buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulme.bsky.social
- A great opportunity here for anyone conducting research using new materialist or other more-than-human approaches! @britsoci.bsky.social
- Call for papers! Materiality, society and the more-than-human conference takes place in London this June. Innovative presentation styles welcome! Deadline 7 April. @sociodigfutures.bsky.social More details- www.britsoc.co.uk/events/key-b...
- We’re very grateful to have connected with a lot of new followers in recent weeks. Now you’ve found us on Bluesky, why not also subscribe to our mailing list? We send 2 newsletters a year, plus the odd ad hoc message about relevant events and opportunities. Sign up: mailchi.mp/9c02e9df414d...
- Did we mention this lecture is taking place online🖥️ & here in Bristol at the Wills Memorial Building🏛️? Sign up and book a place to join us on 11 March ⬇️
- Public lecture announcement! We're honoured to be joined this term by Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki and invite you to a free public lecture 'Spaces of Digitalising Societies' on 11 March in Bristol and online. Find out more buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulme.bsky.social
- The @isa-sociology.bsky.social methodology conference happens in Naples this September ☀️. We'll be there, want to join us? There's just over four weeks left to submit an abstract for our panel event (more below) ⬇️ #rc33
- Call for abstracts! How can we research a world where the social & the digital are increasingly entangled? What are the methodological challenges & what methods can be used? Join us in Naples this Sept for a panel event exploring sociodigital research. Deadline 15 March. rc33.org/call-for-abs...
- A new paper published today 'On the ethical governance of swarm robotic systems in the real world' co-authored by the Centre's lead for robotics @sabinehauert.bsky.social. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1... #swarmrobotics #ethicalgovernance #responsiblerobotics @royalsocietypublishing.org
- Call for abstracts! How can we research a world where the social & the digital are increasingly entangled? What are the methodological challenges & what methods can be used? Join us in Naples this Sept for a panel event exploring sociodigital research. Deadline 15 March. rc33.org/call-for-abs...
- Public lecture announcement! We're honoured to be joined this term by Leverhulme Visiting Professor Theodore Schatzki and invite you to a free public lecture 'Spaces of Digitalising Societies' on 11 March in Bristol and online. Find out more buytickets.at/esrccentrefo... @leverhulme.bsky.social
- Delighted to announce that Centre co-investigator David M Evans has been appointed a member of UK gov Defra's Social Science Expert Group. The expert group's aim is to influence & improve Defra’s policies & their impact through the effective advice on & use of high-quality social science evidence.
- 2025 is looking like a big year for AI. Our Caring for Futures project team has been working with groups of young people to explore use of data & AI, questioning the futures this technology might bring about. Read: sociodigitalfutures.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2025/01/15/e... @profdebw.bsky.social #ai
- We recently had the great pleasure of hosting @jenny-l-davis.bsky.social & hearing her give a public lecture on algorithmic reparation. In our latest blog, Jenny reprises her lecture and discusses this alternative approach to bias in AI systems. #artificialintelligence #aibias #sociodigitalfutures
- Blog post version of my talk at UofBristol's Centre for Sociodigital Futures. Such a generative visit with generous scholars 🙏 sociodigitalfutures.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2024/11/26/a...
