Data in Society

Statistical data and evidence-based claims are increasingly central to our everyday lives. Critically examining ‘Big Data’, this book charts the recent explosion in sources of data, including those precipitated by global developments and technological change. It sets out changes and controversies related to data harvesting and construction, dissemination and data analytics by a range of private, governmental and social organisations in multiple settings.

Analysing the power of data to shape political debate, the presentation of ideas to us by the media, and issues surrounding data ownership and access, the authors suggest how data can be used to uncover injustices and to advance social progress.

Ron Johnston (1941-2020) was a Professor of Geography at the University of Bristol. Charles Pattie is a Professor of Geography at the University of Sheffield.

Professor of Population Studies at the University of Manchester.

Stewart Lansley is a visiting fellow in the School of Policy Studies, the University of Bristol, a Council member of the Progressive Economy Forum and a Research Associate at the Compass think-tank. He is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and has written widely on poverty, wealth and inequality. His recent books include A Sharing Economy (2016), Breadline Britain, The Rise of Mass Poverty (with Joanna Mack, 2015) and The Cost of Inequality (2011).

Christopher Deeming is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde, with research interests in the field of Comparative and Global Social Policy. His latest works with Policy Press are Minimum Income Standards and Reference Budgets: International and Comparative Policy Perspectives (2020) and Reframing Global Social Policy: Social Investment for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (2019).

David Byrne is a retired Professor of Sociology and Applied Social Sciences from the University of Durham and a long time practitioner of action research.