This work package examines the significance of data protection as part of socio-cultural constructions of security in the case of airport and aviation security. It asks to what extent the collection of data is seen as either irritating, or as a necessary part of a cultural practice that is given nor further attention, or whether it is seen as a vital part to establish and maintain security.
From this perspective the work package supports the research within SIRA to understand the socio-cultural differences in the acceptance of security measures in the public sphere. This will be achieved through a qualitative analysis of those factors that inform such socio-cultural differences and assessments of security measures.
In doing so, work package 6 combines notions of the cultural anthropology of technology as well as approaches taken from surveillance studies. Thus the concept of security (discourse, production, practice) as well as the use of security technologies as being embedded in social contexts will be critically examined.
In detail, it will be inquired how security of information will be established, what kind of knowledge is thereto relevant and what differences can be linked to the socio-cultural differences as such. The especially sensitive, and semi-public space of airports is taken as a field of research, where changes in the construction of security will be inquired. The research will focus on the production and use of relevant passenger data, from booking a flight until leaving the airport at the final destination. Attention will be geared towards assessment of and knowledge about this data and the methods of collection. Furthermore do we want to know, how the passengers adopt to security measures and engage with security discourses. Unwanted or unforeseen side effects shall be of particular interest, e.g. regarding the re-interpretation of security measures or practices.
Operationally based on ethnographic methods, the following forms of data gathering are most prominent:
- Qualitative interviews focusing on security, data, information and data protection. Flight passengers of different backgrounds shall be interviewed, to learn about their attitudes and knowledge regarding the above aspects in relation to their flight routines.
- Recording protocols of flight routines with individual interview partners, who are asked to note their data experiences regarding flights and accompanying routines. Such protocols will then be used to reflect upon the practices and experiences during further interviews.
Contact:
Dr. Gerrit Herlyn Universität Hamburg Institut für Volkskunde / Kulturanthropologie Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1 (West) D-20146 Hamburg Tel: +49 40 42838 6515 Email: Herlyn@uni-hamburg.de Web: http://www.fbkultur.uni-hamburg.de/de/vk/personen/herlyn.html
Projekt management:
Dr. Nils Zurawski Universität Hamburg Institut für Volkskunde / Kulturanthropologie Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1 (West) D-20146 Hamburg Tel: 49 40 42838 7421 Email: Nils.Zurawski@uni-hamburg.de Web: http://www.wiso.uni-hamburg.de/professuren/kriminologie/team/akademisches-personal/dr-habil-nils-zurawski/ Homepage: http://www1.uni-hamburg.de/surveillance/index.html http://www.surveillance-studies.org/
