The public understanding of big data in political campaigns
Data-based reproductions, regulatory intentions, and representative claims in election campaigns in Germany, United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.
Leader: Prof. Dr. Christian Pentzold
ZeMKI Lab "Media Society and Digital Practices"
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
The project studies the data-based reproductions, regulatory intentions, and representative claims in election campaigns in Germany, United Kingdom, and the U.S.A. It bases on the ambivalent assumption that the availability and analysis of large troves of data can help to discover new patterns and trace social processes in real time. In the field of political campaigns, extensive data analysis can thus influence the way, we see, understand, and govern social affairs and political areas of concern. In this regard, the project examines the press reports about these news datafied techniques used in election campaigns to represent public option, predict outcomes, and influence votes.
Team members: Lena Fölsche
