Technoscience and (critical) digital epidemiology. Towards new ontological shifts in the global management of biomedical emergencies
- Autores: Mariana Ioana Gavris
- Directores de la Tesis: Andrés Gómez Seguel (dir. tes.), Francisco Javier Tirado Serrano (dir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona ( España ) en 2018
- Idioma: español
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Martín Mora Martínez (presid.), Swen Seebach (secret.), Marco Maureira Velásquez (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Persona y Sociedad en el Mundo Contemporáneo por la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona
- Materias:
- Enlaces
- Tesis en acceso abierto en: TESEO
- Resumen
In the last two decade, in the literature are remarked several ontological mutations due to transposition of life science in a diversity of other scientific areas (e.g. artificial intelligence, cybernetics, mathematics, etc.). The present analysis focus on the impact of the ‘digitalization’ (ref. information and communication technologies) and the (new) tools provided from epidemiological background, where are being implemented standardized preparedness models to predict and optimize in front of possible future pandemic event. Within this technoscientific framework: life, bodies and corporalities dilute and molecular (social) experiences, by advising a peculiar techopolitical embodiment.
My research address the knowledge gaps of the epidemic techno-scientific models - beyond the consideration of efficiency of surveillance and security- by exploring the mutations that appear in the knowledge management models and focus on the new conditions of possibility given by the uses of ICTs (special focus on collaborative technologies). I investigate how epidemics are framed within the new technological approaches and the ways the proposals for future 'improvements' in global public health are challenging global and local social communities’ policies.
I undertake the concept of 'digital epidemiology' (DE), seen from science and technology studies (STS) perspective, by developing a critical discourse analysis, based on different types of empirical data developed in Spain from 2013 to 2018 (in-depth interviews, focus groups, etc.), focused especially on three of the recent epidemic cases (Swine flu, Ebola, Zika). I focus on questioning how the design of epidemic social networks (e.g. content platforms, interactive maps…) are designed (as a way to approach knowledge for a community), constructed (technical and technological deployment) and how this assembly is approaching new conditions of possibility to narrate biomedical contents of public health to a broader global context. The empirical data is analysed based on three axis: a) the actors (human / non-human) that are (being) articulated; b) the technological resources required and c) the main networks of meaning (subjectifiers) on the situations of biological threat or epidemic/pandemic events.
My findings describe a range of mutations in the global management of biomedical emergencies. First, I examine the characteristics approached within the DE and their effects by describing how this modifies the engagement processes in social movements and technological approach in public health. Second, how boundaries are being renegotiated (e.g. biomedical spaces, expertise, actors involved), which constitutes the mutation of the spaces where it take place the mediation of epidemic deployment concepts. Third, I describe how the particular design, redefines the biomedical spaces and global geopolitical knowledge management, which are addressing new vulnerabilities (e.g. distinct access; edit and use of data; sensitive populations, etc.). Finally, besides the technological mapping utility, portraits and ethical debate acquire a broader uses of contents when articulated within collaborative technologies framework.
