Dr. Alison Powell

Biography

Alison Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and serves as Programme Director for the MSc Media and Communications (Data Society). Her research addresses discourse and design in technology contexts within the public interest, examining values and ethics in technology start-ups, the moral economy of software production, and the roles of citizens in smart cities. Currently, she focuses on democratic decision-making in data-driven public sector contexts and urban planning in healthcare. Powell published 'Undoing Optimization: Civic Action in Smart Cities' with Yale University Press in 2021. She is involved in participatory research practices, widely used for public consultation and teaching. Additionally, she directs the JUST AI network, supported by the Ada Lovelace Institute and UKRI, to introduce diverse voices into the dialogue on data and AI ethics. Powell's academic background includes a PhD in Communication Studies from Concordia University and previous fellowships at the Oxford Internet Institute and Concordia University.

Research Interests

Experience