With apologies to those outside of London / the South East of England. Open Data, Smart Citizens? 27 January 2015, 7pm Birkbeck, University of London Keynes Library (Room 114), 43 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, WC1H 0PD Although a relatively recent phenomenon, the concept and implementation of technologically-enabled 'smart cities,' has already generated much criticism. While some note the surveillance implications of supposedly 'all-knowing' and 'all-seeing' urban environments, others challenge the technocratic assumption that the automated 'smart city' will help overcome the limitations of an inherently unruly and inefficient citizenry. Yet do these top-down, privatised and bureaucratic forms of urban management exhaust the possibilities of the smart city discussion? Or might the contemporary confluence of urban space and media technologies lead to more democratic and participatory alternatives? Could such developments as the expanded access to 'big data' and the information generated by sensor technologies help produce more small-scale, distributed or spontaneous forms of invention and intervention within the city? This seminar - the inaugural event of a new London research network on media and cities - interrogates the possible consequences and potentials of open data for participation and citizenship in urban life. The event will begin with two short papers: Jennifer Gabrys (Goldsmiths) will speak on 'Citizen Sensing, Smart Citizens and Rethinking the Problem of Urban Participation'; and Alison Powell (LSE) will speak on 'Governing the Data City: Agency, Voice, and Augmented Space.' Güneş Tavmen (Birkbeck) will then respond with some initial comments, followed by a discussion involving the audience. A wine reception will conclude the event. Participation is open to all but registration is essential - please register you place at: https://eventbrite.co.uk/event/15218465841/ For more information, please get in touch with Joel McKim (j.mckim@bbk.ac.uk)or Scott Rodgers (s.rodgers@bbk.ac.uk)