The Digital Society Reading Group is an interdisciplinary research cluster that brings together scholars in sociology, anthropology, STS, HCI, and digital humanities to engage critically with the challenges of the digital age. It provides a space to debate pressing issues in the social sciences, including AI, algorithms, social media, cyborgs, and the transformations of digital society.
Format
The group meets each term in Weeks 3, 5, and 7 to discuss a key text. Once a term, the author of a selected reading is invited to join in person to present their work, respond to questions, and engage directly with participants.
Convenor and Contact
Dr Xin Zhan (xz434@cam.ac.uk)
Michaelmas 2025 Upcoming Meetings
Friday, 31 October, 12:15–13:30
Sociology Seminar Room (Old Cavendish Lab)
Dr. Skyler Wang (Assistant Professor of Sociology, McGill University; Research Scientist, FAIR Lab, Meta) will join us in person to discuss his research, focusing on his work on “dating spreadsheets.”
Reading:
Wang, Skyler. “Data auxiliaries: Making online dating ‘work’ with dating spreadsheets.” Information, Communication & Society (2025): 1–18.
Monday, 10 November, 16:00–17:00
Sociology Board Room (Old Cavendish East)
Reading:
Stein, Rebecca L. “GoPro occupation: networked cameras, Israeli military rule, and the digital promise.” Current Anthropology 58.S15 (2017): S56–S64.
Monday, 24 November 2025, 12:00–13:00
Sociology Board Room (Old Cavendish East)
Reading:
Liu, Tingting, et al. “Zhibo gonghui: China’s ‘live-streaming guilds’ of manipulation experts.” Information, Communication & Society 26.6 (2023): 1210–1225.
Optional readings:
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Ma, Jinghan, and Yungeng Li. “#WatchingAfricaOn Kuaishou: Performing Racial Stereotypes on a Chinese Short Video Platform.” Information, Communication & Society 28.9 (2025): 1570–1589.
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A short documentary film by The New York Times related to the “Zhibo Gonghui” article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlnfiULnmMY