Dark Sides of Digital Societies

The Navigating Knowledge Landscapes (NKL) research network has employed the metaphor of ‘Knowledge Landscapes’ to examine particular digital constellations. Technological progress, ubiquitous information and social connectivity, accessible always and everywhere - today's digital society has numerous positive aspects. However, it is equally important to shed light on the dark sides of these developments. Examples such as conspiracy theories, permanent surveillance, the loss of privacy, digital hate and violence, cybercrime, as well as the emergence of mental illnesses associated with frequent digital usage, emphasize the importance of the examination of the darker facets of digital developments.

The 7th Annual Conference of the Navigating Knowledge Landscapes (NKL) research network focused on these multifaceted aspects of digital societies' darker dimensions. In collaboration with the Scientific Centre of Nutrition, Food, and Sustainable Supply Systems (ELVe), the international conference took place at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany, on May 24th and 25th, 2023. A total of 45 participants from over 8 countries and diverse academic disciplines collectively engaged in the exchange of ideas regarding the main theme of the conference.

Aligned with the thematic emphasis of the conference, Jörg Kreiker, Vice President for Digitalization at Fulda University, and the conference organizer, Joachim Allgaier, opened the first day of the conference with welcoming remarks. The opening keynote was given by Stuart Allan, Professor of Journalism and Communication at Cardiff University. The expert on digital journalism spoke on the topic ‘Shards of Light in the Darkness of Deception: Critical Prospects for Digital War Reporting’.

In the first session of the conference, Jack Wilson from the University of Warwick explored the realm of ‘QAnon's Dark Knowledge’, underscoring the significance of comprehensive independent research, particularly when it comes to conspiracy theories. Following that, Maruša Nardoni from the University of Ljubljana critically discussed the concept of Surveillance Capitalism and digital advertising. Jörn Reinhardt from Fulda University of Applied Sciences concluded the first thematic block with a talk on ‘Regulating the Dark Side of Social Media: New Approaches in European Digital Media Legislation’.

After lunch, participants had the opportunity to take a tour of the sensory labs at the Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences at Fulda University. The second block of the day focused on the dark sides of digitization in healthcare. Vanja Kopilaš from the University of Zagreb provided a psychological perspective on the topic. In his presentation titled ‘Dark Sides of Digital Society amid COVID-19 Pandemic’, he particularly examined the effects of high social media usage on mental health. Srećko Gajović, also from the University of Zagreb, then shifted the focus to ‘Dark Sides of Health Representations in the Digital Society’. The final presentation in this session examined the topic of dark sides of food and nutrition in the digital society, delivered by Anna Lydia Svalastog from Østfold University College and Ivana Damnjanović from University of Belgrade.

The second day of the conference began with another session of presentations. The first talk was given by Lucia Martinelli from the MUSE - Science Museum in Trento, Italy. She explored the ways in which digitalization can support the development of a new science culture free from social and cultural stereotypes, perceptions, and assumptions. Professor Jiwon Shim from the Dong-Guk University in Seoul discussed a highly popular but controversial South-Korean food product called "Snoopy Coffee Milk," consumed by very young students as a cognitive-enhancing functional food. Zoran Todorović from the University of Belgrade held the final presentation of the morning with the title ‘Information on the Safety of Medicines: Where are the Limits?’ with a particular focus on the COVID-19-Pandemic.

After a short coffee break, the conference moved on to a more interactive part: the Publishing Workshop. Hans Peter Peters who is Chief Editor of the journal Public Understanding of Science, Srećko Gajović, former Chief Editor of the Croatian Medical Journal and Marc Birringer who is Chief Editor of the journal Applied Research answered various questions from the audience about scientific publishing and the publishing process in general. Following the workshop, the official program of the conference concluded. After lunch, the NKL member meeting took place, which was open to members and interested parties.

Here you can find the conference review in pdf.