PhD investigating how data-driven technologies lead to value change in the justice domain

The promise held by data-driven technologies to make processes more efficient, predictions more accurate, and decision-making practices more affective has also reached the judicial domain. The introduction of these technological innovations has raised the question how to ensure that core judiciary values (independence, impartiality, integrity, transparency, and fairness) can be upheld, for instance by investing in “by design” approaches (e.g. transparency by design, non-discrimination by design) and Responsible Innovation practices. One of the implicit assumptions of these approaches is that what values boil down to is rather stable and that the challenge predominantly lies in the integration of these existing values into new technological practices. In the domain of philosophy of technology and applied ethics, there is however an increasing acceptance of the idea that values are dynamic and susceptible to change. This project, therefore, takes as its starting point that if we want to develop ADM and AI practices in the judicial domain that adhere to public values, it is essential to understand how these public values change through the introduction of data-driven technologies. To develop this understanding, this project will focus on how different sets of values (technological, commercial, public) interact and how conditions to enact the core values underpinning the judicial domain are affected.

This PhD project operates at the intersection of philosophy/ethics of technology, Science and Technology Studies, and regulatory theory. It will combine a literature study of value change with an empirically-informed evaluation: mapping ‘value clashes’ through desk research, organizing focus groups, and semi-structured interviews with experts/stakeholders. One case-study will focus on the dynamics within public administration, particularly at the level of the municipality. Municipalities are increasingly tasked with providing services that touch upon (access to) justice. To give shape to their, oftentimes, executive role, they turn to ADS and AI tools. Municipalities heavily rely on commercial parties to provide them with these tools and the solutions they offer to adhere to public values. How key public values such as legitimacy, autonomy, and transparency take shape in these interactions, if and how value conflicts occur, and how public values in the end are safeguarded, is the overarching focus of this project. A second case-study will be selected together with the PhD researcher.

This project is part of the Gravitation program  Public Values in the Algorithmic Society (algosoc). The Gravitation program is an initiative by the Dutch government to support excellent research in the Netherlands. The funding is reserved for scientific consortia that have the potential to rank among the world's best in their field. Algosoc is a response to the urgent need for an informed societal perspective on automated decision-making. Funded by the ministry for Education, Culture and Science for a period for 10 years, research in the algosoc program will develop a deep understanding of the systemic changes that automated decision-making entails for core public institutions, for society, and for how public values are realized. The research will focus on three sectors: justice, health and media. The program brings together researchers in law, communication science, computer science, media studies, philosophy, public governance, STS, economy and social sciences from five Dutch universities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Tilburg, Delft and Rotterdam). Together, the algosoc community will develop solutions for the design of governance frameworks needed to complement technology-driven initiatives in the algorithmic society. 

If the vacancy appeals to you, but you are doubting whether you might be THE person we are looking for, please do apply. We encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia to apply. We wish to create a consortium that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity and not homogeneity is what we are looking for.   

Developing a societal vision on automated decision-making concerns us all. We believe that a diversity of perspectives in our consortium will be important in developing an inclusive societal vision and strive therefore also in our hiring policy for encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment of mutual respect, inclusiveness, equal opportunities with room for situated experiences, diverse perspectives, and ideas to flourish. This commitment applies to our research, organisation, room for flexibility, training, and community activities as well as our hiring strategy.