Dr Alison Halford is an Assistant Professor (Research) and Impact Lead at the Centre for Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling (CSM). Her research emphasises meaningful participation informed by an ethics of care to give voice to those traditionally excluded from public engagement and positions of authority.
As a feminist, transdisciplinary scholar, her work draws upon intersectionality to identify and address to what extent AI design and practices can reproduce or challenge systems of oppression, discrimination, and structural inequality.
Central to this approach is the inclusion of non-academic stakeholders as active participants in the research process. By engaging stakeholders as co-producers of knowledge, it acknowledges different ways of knowing to produce understanding that dismantles knowledge silos between different disciplines and across sectorial boundaries to develop new ways of thinking about real-world problems.
ABSTRACT: In this Value in Energy Data webinar, drawing upon interviews and focus groups with key actors in the energy data sector, Dr Alison Halford offers insights into how the energy industry is approaching opportunities and challenges in the transition towards the digital transformation of UK energy systems.
In particular, by asking how ethical frameworks and ethics are applied by those working with energy data, she will address questions around:
- To what extent are ethical frameworks penetrating decision-making around data storage, collection, sharing and management in energy systems?
- In an already highly regulated industry, is there a need for more legislation? Or are current regulations sufficient in supporting data management frameworks that promote ethical practices?
- With increasing public awareness of the potential misuse and abuse of data by companies, is the energy sector adequately prepared to build relationships of trust and align with public values through data practices?
By contending ethics, alongside regulations, should be central to decision-making processes, design and deployment when working with data, Alison will explore the role, value and benefit of robust ethical frameworks.
In suggesting the need for a culture shift in data-intensive industries to develop best practice, she will lay out a roadmap on how to deliver ethical, fair, and inclusive data collection, analysis, visualisation, and decision-making within the energy sector.