Biometric technologies of gender and race: the politics of experience and design

Biometric technologies are becoming widespread in both public and private places, increasingly as part of everyday communication. From mobile phones, gaming consoles, webcams, smart TVs, airport security systems to social media platforms: all have the capacity to scan, identify and store data related to the user’s biometric body, producing a diverse range of user experiences. This study explores the engendering and racialisation of the biometric body through questions of user experience, design and technology.

Aims and Objectives
This project aims to politicise everyday technological practices of biometric classification which engender and racialise the body. The research will prompt a critical inquiry into understanding different encounters between biometric technologies and the body through questions of design and technology, dataification and user experience.

• To examine the social context of biometric technology design and experience in order to understand how encounters with such technologies become part of a processes of the gendering and racialising the body;
• To explore the differing social and physical environments – home, workplace, public spaces, online social networking – where biometric technologies are encountered to understand the different modes of experiencing the biometric body;
• To assess the implications of biometric technologies and their effect on gender and racial discrimination (and beyond, to class, sexual orientation, ability and so on);
• To test and develop strategies for a more politically sensitive, inclusive and user-centred experience of biometric technologies, working with stakeholders in the areas of design, policy making and implementation of biometrics.

Methods:
Combining in-depth ethnographic work among individual users of biometric technologies, with industry research into design and development, and organisational studies of adopting and using biometric technologies, the project will explore one or more of the following:

• Gaming and other domestic technologies
• Smartphones
• Social media
• Travel and borders
• Policing

The supervisory team for this project will be Dr Esperanza Miyake, Dr Adi Kuntsman, and Dr Jon Binnie

The closing date for applications is 31st January 2017.
To apply, please use the form on our web page: http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/postgraduate-research-course/ - please note, CVs alone will not be accepted.

For informal enquiries, please contact: [Email Address Removed]
Please quote the Project Reference in all correspondence.