Research Projects

Human rights in situations of (extreme) dependency.

Promotors: SNACKEN SONJA, GUTWIRTH SERGE, DE HERT PAUL, DISTELMANS WILLEM, BILSEN JOHAN
From: 2011 to: 2014

Abstract:

The aim of this research proposal is to analyse the dynamics of relations of (extreme) institutional dependency and the influence of human rights standards and legislation on these relations. It will focus on two case studies, health care institutions and prisons, through an integration of different scientific disciplines: human rights, legal theory, sociology of law, criminology, forensic psychology, end of life care and decisions, oncology. In doing so, it will bring together the expertise of different VUB-research teams in a true attempt at integrated interdisciplinary research about a very timely subject matter of high social, legal, ethical and medical pertinence.
(Code: HOA27)

Public and private use: an online private sphere in copyright?

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, BRISON FABIENNE
Member: BARALIUC Irina
From: 2011 to: 2014

Abstract:

In copyright terms, a lot depends on whether a protected work is used in the public or private sphere: it may determine whether the author's prior consent is needed or not. Over the years, courts have given these notions an interpretation that is profoundly rooted in the analogue world. However, if the same criteria are applied in a digital, online environment, the private sphere seems to have vanished: every use then, as a rule, is "public" and therefore subject to the right holder's prior consent. This legal qualification contrasts sharply with the user's experience of an organic continuum between her offline and online behaviour. This incongruence may affect copyright's legitimacy, which entails the main questions of this proposal: Are the current notions of "public" and "private" still accurate to protect the values of copyright law, and to reconcile conflicting interests in copyright matters? How can a "private" sphere be construed in the context of social media and an inherently public Web? Or is such "free use" per se incompatible with the author's interests? The construction and conceptualisation of an online private space can indeed be, for many reasons, a crucial endeavour.
(Code: FWOAL581)

SIAM: Security Impact Assessment Measure - A decision support system for security technology investments.

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, HILDEBRANDT Mireille
Members: VAN BRAKEL Rosamunde, MARTIN Aaron
From: 2011 to: 2014

Abstract:

SIAM : Security Impact Assessment Measure. A decision support system for security technologies The SIAM decision support system will ease the complexity associated with the assessment of security measures and technologies. Where today decision makers have to oversee a wide range of relevant aspects from many different scientific fields and national as well as cultural interests SIAM will pass the needed information in a structured manner to the decision maker. It ties together those strands and reduces their complexity by providing a number of guidelines and a database for easy decision making. One major impact is that SIAM will continue to close the gap between the perspective of preventing or disturbing criminal threats and the perspective of potential freedom infringements associated with many security measures and technologies. Furthermore by conducting four case studies featuring a significant level of security measures and technologies SIAM integrates the practical experience with such technologies into the decision support system. As it will be flanked by extensive literature reviewing and the gathering of the wisdom of Europes leading security and civil rights experts the practitioner perspective will be extended by state of the art knowledge. Beyond that SIAM is building an actor network to initialise the relationships needed for sustained cooperation and future fruitful interaction in the field of security. Participative elements such as stakeholder conferences open up the security field to a wider public and include more actors in the process.
(Code: EU378)

PRESCIENT: Privacy and emerging fields of science and technology: Towards a common framework for privacy and ethical assessment.

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, DE HERT PAUL
Members: GELLERT Rapha�l, BELLANOVA Rocco
From: 2010 to: 2012

Abstract:

Privacy is a multifaceted concept, a moving target and a salient topic in technology policy-making. PRESCIENT will provide an early identification of privacy and ethical issues arising from emerging technologies and their relevance for EC policy. It will contribute to the quality of research in the field of ethics, by distinguishing between privacy and data protection and analysing the ethical, legal and socio-economic conceptualisations of each. The project unfolds in four stages. The first stage is ANALYSIS: the partners will provide a state-of-the-art analysis of privacy and data protection as conceptualised from an ethical, socio-economic and legal perspective. The second stage is CASE STUDIES wherein the partners will identify the privacy, data protection and ethical issues arising from five different emerging technologies and their applications. The third stage focuses on CITIZENS. The partners will analyse various existing surveys to assess citizen concerns and knowledge of the way in which their data are collected, stored and used and their concerns about new technologies and how their concerns have changed over time. The partners will examine 20 top websites and interview data collectors to assess how easy or difficult it is for citizens to access their information and to find out how it is being used. The fourth and final stage focuses on development of a NEW FRAMEWORK FOR PRIVACY AND ETHICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. The partners will develop four scenarios as an element in this new framework, which is based on an integration of the results of this study and on privacy impact assessment guidelines such as those of the UK. The partners will invite a multi-disciplinary panel of 10 external experts to comment on their deliverables and discuss the issues raised in a workshop at each stage. The project will conclude with a final conference to which experts, policy-makers and other stakeholders will be invited in order to debate the project's findings and recommendations.
(Code: EU343)

Commodification of human bodily materials, ethics and regulation.

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, STERCKX Sigrid
Member: VAN ASSCHE Kristof
From: 2010 to: 2013

Abstract:

An analysis of the nature and force of commodification-arguments in the context of organ transfers, biobanks and patents
(Code: FWOAL545)

EMSOC: User Empowerment in a social media culture

Promotors: PIERSON Jos, GUTWIRTH SERGE
Member: VERMEULEN Mathias
From: 2010 to: 2014

Abstract:

Media and communication are changing fundamentally, with increased convergence and an evolution from mass communication and personal media to mass self-communication. Mediated communication becomes increasingly participative and personalised by means of social computing (Web 2.0). In this realm the user is the central actor, but only to the extent that he or she is actually empowered to grasp the opportunities and face the challenges in the digital media environment. The goal of the interdisciplinary project EMSOC is to critically assess to what extent and how people are empowered or disempowered via their everyday use of social media. We investigate how the vulnerability of these people (does not) change(s) through these new forms of online communication and interaction. The issues are addressed from a social, legal, media, educational and policy perspective. This research about user empowerment in a social media culture revolves around three societal dimensions: 1. Inclusion: to understand the relation between social media and people we need to understand who gets access to which kinds of social media technologies and services and why. That is why we give extra importance to the notion vulnerability (of certain actors) in a social media environment. 2. Literacy: not all users have the same capabilities to use social media to the fullest potential in their own life and work. Only those that are sufficiently digital literate are able to use these media adequately. Therefore the project wants to elaborate on the concept of digital literacy vis-�-vis social media. 3. Privacy: many users lack sufficient understanding of new evolutions and consequences of data mining, analysis and (commercial) diffusion of their digital activities (digital footprint). For this we analyse the (im)permeabilty between the public and the private for mass self-communication in a legal and user centered way. To achieve optimal valorisation our results are communicated and adapted to the needs of EMSOC's Advisory Committee of Users (ACU). This committee consists of various societal stakeholders who play an important role in Flanders social media debate.
(Code: IWT513)

Law and Autonomic Computing: Mutual Transformations

Promotor: GUTWIRTH SERGE
Member: HILDEBRANDT Mireille
From: 2009 to: 2012

Abstract:

The project aims to assess the legal implications of technologies that will transform our everyday environment into what has been called an Ambient Intelligent (AmI) environment or The Internet of Things. Such an environment depends on a type of machine intelligence that does not reside in any particular machine, but in the interconnections between sensors, RFID-systems, biometrics and online databases, allowing the inference of habits and desires by means of complex datamining techniques with the objectie of adapting the environment to such inferred preferences. The coming about of such intelligence raises a host of practical as well as fundamental legal questions, for instance in the field of privacy, data protection, civil and criminal liability, intellectual rights and concerning fundamental notions such as legal subjectivity, equality of arms, due process, consent and representation. This project is linked to GOA50, with the same name
(Code: OZR1884)

Automated anticipations and the law

Promotor: GUTWIRTH SERGE
Member: DE VRIES Ekaterina
From: 2009 to: 2013

Abstract:

A legal research into the possibilities of constitutional protection within the right to privacy, the protection of personal data and nondiscrimination.
(Code: OZR1896)

Databases in beeld

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, HILDEBRANDT Mireille
Member: VAN DIJK Niels
From: 2009 to: 2010

Abstract:

The research institute 'VUB' and the 'Rathenau Instituut' have entered into a service-agreement concerning the project' Databases in beeld'. The research results can be transferred to the company, there can be a reasonable return in case of commercialisation or there is another kind of agreement on intellectual property, as outlined in the concluded agreement.
(Code: WDGO787)

SENIOR : Social ethical and privacy needs in ICT for older people : a dialogue roadmap

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, DE HERT PAUL
Member: MANTOVANI Eugenio
From: 2008 to: 2009

Abstract:

SOCIAL ETHICAL AND PRIVACY NEEDS IN ICT FOR OLDER PEOPLE: A DIALOGUE ROADMAP (SENIOR) is a 24 month support action which aims to provide a systematic assessment of the social, ethical, and privacy issues involved in ICT and Ageing, to understand what lessons should be learned from current technological trends, and to plan strategies for governing future trends There are three main ideas that led the consortium to propose the SENIOR 1. INCLUSION IS THE GOAL 2. DIALOGUE IS THE INSTRUMENT 3. DESIGN IS THE TARGET These ideas generated four strategic objectives: 1. DEFINITION 2. DIRECTION 3. ROADMAP 4. ACTION PLAN Each of these strategic objective has been encapsulated into specific workpackages and tasks.
URL: http://seniorproject.eu/

INEX: converging and conflicting ethical values in the internal/external security continuum in Europe.

Promotors: DE HERT PAUL, GUTWIRTH SERGE
Members: BELLANOVA Rocco, GONZALEZ FUSTER Gloria
From: 2008 to: 2011

Abstract:

Security and insecurity are social, cultural, political concepts. Nowhere is this more evident than in the challenges produced by the evolving continuum between internal and external security challenges. The interdisciplinary project INEX is designed around two research axes: thematic and geopolitical. On the thematic axis it will study four fields of knowledge of high relevance to the question of the ethics and the value-laden tensions arising along the continuum between internal and external security in Europe: (1) the ethical consequences of the proliferation of security technologies, (2) the legal dilemmas that arise from transnational security arrangements, (3) the ethical and value questions that stem from the shifting role of security professionals and (4) the consequences of the changing role of foreign security policy in an era when the distinction between the external and internal borders grows less distinct On the geopolitical axis it will study and produce recommendations relative to two geographical theatres of high relevance for ethical issues of internal/external security: the Eastern European 'neighbourhood' including Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and the Mediterranean 'neighbourhood' including Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. The project will link directly with representatives of the security technology industry as well as security provision services that implement concretely to the border security arrangements. The state-of-the-art research carried out by the project will result in a variety of different outputs aimed primarily at relevant policymakers, researchers and educators. It will present analyses of current security challenges with particular attention to the human side of the security challenge, and on this basis propose remedial to the new challenges of the internal/external security continuum.
URL: http://www.inexproject.eu

Politics of Representation ? The Legal Construction of Publics

Promotor: GUTWIRTH SERGE
Member: DESUTTER Laurent
From: 2007 to: 2007

Abstract:

Contemporary legal theory is facing the crucial option to integrate the lessons which have been accumulated by Sciences, Technology & Society Studies during the last decade. These lessons are simple: it is time to get rid of the great divide that has given to scientists the exclusive right to judge on matters of fact, and to politicians the exclusive right to judge on matters of norms and values. Getting rid of such a great divide implies to think the possibility that the difference between matters of facts and matters of norms and values may not be an interesting and relevant difference anymore. In order to do so, Bruno Latour has proposed the concept of matter of concern. What is a matter of concern? It is what binds together all those who are interested in an issue. But this binding is not only a question of circumstances; it is also a question of knowledge: the knowledge that has been accumulated by all those who have been interested in an issue, and because of this interest. Such an emphasis on the question of concerns (instead of facts and norms/values) opens a radically new conception of not only the scientific truth, but also of the interaction between this truth and the political structure. The formulation of such a new conception has been central to the work of the IUAP phase 5 project The Loyalties of Knowledge (see www.imbroglio.be) in which Isabelle Stengers and Bruno Latour participated, among others. In the case that the IUAP would not be prolonged during the next phase, the present application aim at the valorisation of Laurent Desutters PhD thesis results in the field of the legal aspects and consequences of this new conception of politics, more specifically, for what concerns the concept of legal principle. What does a principle such as, for instance, the principle of representation do when concerns, and not facts, are at stake? And what can an answer to this question teach to legal theory?
(Code: OZR1369)

Law and Autonomic Computing: Mutual Transformations.

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, DE HERT PAUL
Members: HILDEBRANDT Mireille, DE VRIES Ekaterina, VAN DIJK Niels, SAELENS Ronny
From: 2007 to: 2011

Abstract:

The project aims to assess the legal implications of technologies that will transform our everyday environment into what has been called an Ambient Intelligent (AmI) environment or The Internet of Things. Such an environment depends on a type of machine intelligence that does not reside in any particular machine, but in the interconnections between sensors, RFID-systems, biometrics and online databases, allowing the inference of habits and desires by means of complex datamining techniques with the objectie of adapting the environment to such inferred preferences. The coming about of such intelligence raises a host of practical as well as fundamental legal questions, for instance in the field of privacy, data protection, civil and criminal liability, intellectual rights and concerning fundamental notions such as legal subjectivity, equality of arms, due process, consent and representation.
URL: http://www.vub.ac.be/LSTS/research/lawandautonomiccomputing.pdf

PRITUIS : Study on privacy and trust in the ubiquitous information society - analysis of the impact of convergent and pervasive information and communication technologies on privacy and data protection and needs and options for development of the legal framework.

Promotors: GUTWIRTH SERGE, DE HERT PAUL
Member: GONZALEZ FUSTER Gloria
From: 2007 to: 2008

Abstract:

PRITUIS : Study on privacy and trust in the ubiquitous information society - analysis of the impact of convergent and pervasive information and communication technologies on privacy and data protection and needs and options for development of the legal framework.
(Code: EU302)

SPICE IPCA : Service platform for innovative communication environment

Promotors: BALLON PIETER, PAUWELS CAROLINE, BRISON FABIENNE, GUTWIRTH SERGE, VAN HOVE LEO
Members: DE BEER DE LAER Daniel, MOSCIBRODA Anna
From: 2006 to: 2008

Abstract:

SPICE is an interdiscpilinary FP6 Integrated Project in which the VUB dealt with the aspects related to communication sciences, business models and law
URL: http://www.ist-spice.org/

Content in a digital environment. An interdisciplinary research programme on E-publishing "FLEET".

Promotors: VANDENBRANDE KRISTEL, BRISON FABIENNE, DE HERT PAUL, PAUWELS CAROLINE, GUTWIRTH SERGE, VAN HOVE LEO
Member: DEPREEUW Sari
From: 2006 to: 2010

Abstract:

The main objective of this project is to identify, understand and prospect the changing role of information and communication providers and users in a networked society. To this end, it aims at mapping the most important drivers of change affecting the Flemish e-publishing sector. In order to do this, 5 interrelated research objectives are identified: * Mapping the development of the professional e-publishing sector in Flanders, identifying actors and analysing their range of (un)successful products, services and killer applications, their strategies adopted and the business models used. * Identifying the changes affecting the labour force within this e-publishing sector, concentrating on the role, function and work division of the journalist as an individual and as being part of a larger editorial and managerial institution. * Understanding user behaviour towards and user response on new online products and services, paying attention to the user as producer of content as well. * Highlighting the most important legal issues affecting the e-publishing sector in the field of copyright and liability (and if occurring, in other legal fields like privacy and data protection). * Translating, in an interdisciplinary manner, the results of the research in recommendations for policy formulation and regulation in terms of legal, technical, economic, pedagogical and social issues, and in recommendations for the sector in terms of business models. At the moment very little in-depth research on the e-publishing sector in Flanders has been conducted. By bringing together key partners on ICT, media(use) and journalism research in Flanders, ranging from social scientists over economist to lawyers, supplemented with an international research centre active in the field, this project forms the basis of a knowledge pool on e-publishing in Flanders. The Flemish region is endowed with a rich and vibrant publishing and audiovisual industry securing cultural identity and diversity of opinion. Making the Flemish population interactive by providing different e-services (e-government, e-health, e-learning...) has also been one of the main objectives of the Flemish government. Flanders unique position in terms of broadband networks can provide the e-publishing sector with possibilities to develop towards innovative e-publishing. Sound fundamental research on the evolutions in the e-publishing sector and on the drivers changing the industry is an absolute necessity to inform policy and business to take strategic decisions.
URL: http://www.fleetproject.be/nl/home

Safeguards in a World of Ambient Intelligence. (SWAMI)

Promotor: GUTWIRTH SERGE
Members: MOSCIBRODA Anna, VERLINDEN Michiel
From: 2005 to: 2006

Abstract:

This project aims to identify and analyse the social, economic, legal, technological and ethical issues related to identity, privacy and security in Ambient Intelligence (AmI), as called for in the Work Programme. The partners will review existing AmI projects, studies, scenarios and roadmaps to ensure that the SWAMI project captures, as far as possible, the major trends and issues. The partners will compose "dark" scenarios, the aim of which will be to expose key socio-economic, legal, technological and ethical risks and vulnerabilities related to issues such as identity, privacy and security that may emerge from the deployment of AmI technologies and services, many if not most of which will be invisible to the public. The partners will define and study various research and policy options, which could serve as safeguards and privacy-enhancing mechanisms. The aim will be to identify mechanisms, which will ensure user control, user acceptance and enforceability of policy in an accessible manner, as well as to ensure that all Europeans have real equal rights and opportunities of accessibility to the Ambient Intelligence space. The partners will seek to validate their findings through two workshops with other AmI and IST experts before presenting the options to the Commission in a final report. Project results will be disseminated widely and continuously throughout the project and will be presented at a final, high-level conference.
(Code: EU214)

REFGOV : Reflexive Governance in the Public Interest

Promotors: DE SCHUTTER BARTHOLOME, DE HERT PAUL, GUTWIRTH SERGE
Members: PAEPE Pieter, GONZALEZ FUSTER Gloria
From: 2005 to: 2010

Abstract:

This FP6 IP research focuses on emerging institutional mechanisms which seek to answer the question of market failures by means other than command-and-control regulation imposed in the name of the public interest. It seeks to identify these new mechanisms of 'reflexive governance', to evaluate them and to make institutional proposals for an improved form of governance. In this project LSTS and IES are responsible for two of the four thematic studies regarding the application of the 'open method of coordination' and the testing of the hypothesis of 'reflexive governance', which will take place in the second phase of the research program. These two thematic studies concern : - the protection of personal data (promoters : S. Gutwirth & B. De Schutter : researcher Gloria Gonzalez Fuster) - criminal procedure (promoter : P. De Hert, researcher Pieter Paepe)
URL: http://refgov.cpdr.ucl.ac.be

FIDIS, The future of Identity in the information Society

Promotors: DE HERT PAUL, GUTWIRTH SERGE, HILDEBRANDT Mireille
Members: SOENENS Els, SCHREURS Wim Jan
From: 2004 to: 2009

Abstract:

FIDIS is an FP6 Network of Excellence wherein the LSTS-team took the lead in a workpackage on "Profiling"
URL: http://www.fidis.net