The 2022 Research Sprint of the Edgelands Institute will explore the intersection between the issues of security, social cohesion, and digital surveillance in Geneva.

At the Edgelands Institute, we understand urban social contracts in two ways. First, as an analytical lens that allows us to understand and map the power arrangements (explicit and implicit) between all relevant social groups and the sovereign, or those who hold formal and informal power, in cities. These agreements reduce transaction costs, enhance predictability, and ultimately are the rules that enable social cohesion. Second, we understand urban social contracts both as means of living together and as sites of political struggle.

The Research Sprint will provide a unique opportunity for participants to explore how the intersection of security and social cohesion with digital surveillance technologies is transforming Geneva's social contract, especially for youth and immigrants. The Sprint will explore what security and social cohesion mean and require for different sectors of society, and what are the potential and risks of the digitalization of security, and the surveillance society.

Structure of the Research Sprint

The Research Sprint will last 8 weeks, from October 25 to December 6, 2022.

The Sprint will consist of dialogue spaces with experts on various topics related to surveillance, security, technology and public policy; weekly research sessions by groups;  and a closing event open to the public where participants will be able to present their final projects. These projects will also be published on the Edgelands Institute website under a creative commons license.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Doing research with impact: A unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research activities on a pressing topic with a chance for real-world impact. To experience an alternative side of research.
• Develop their skills: As part of an interdisciplinary research team and in an accelerated time frame, participants will be able to enhance and expand their research and collaboration skills.

Additionally, at the end of the Sprint, participants will have the tools to address questions such as:

• What is an urban social contract?
• What are the problems and tensions between security, social cohesion, and surveillance?
• How is technology transforming our understanding and approach to these issues?
• When and how can digital technologies be used as tools to solve security and social cohesion problems?
• How can we create mechanisms of accountability and responsibility for the use of technology?
• What are some of the consequences that can result from the use of technologies that rely on data, AI, and/or Algorithms?

One of the main objectives of the Sprint is for participants to have access to a variety of viewpoints, tools and theories to help them approach the topic of safety and technology in a critical and informed manner. To this end, the research sprint will have a hybrid (or virtual format depending on the health situation) which will facilitate the intervention and participation of a variety of international and national experts.

Each week the participants will attend a 2-hour session of conversation with experts, which will take place every Tuesday from 16h00-18h00 on Zoom. Additionally, each week the participants will work 4 hours with their research group. These research sessions will be divided the following way: 3 hours will be an in-person meeting every Thursday from 15:00-18:00, at the Maison de la Paix, and the last hour will be agreed upon by each group.

General Structure

The program consists of four moments: