Minna Ruckenstein
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| Minna Ruckenstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Algorithm studies Affective infrastructure |
| Title | Professor of Emerging Technologies in Society |
Minna Ruckenstein is a Finnish academic and social anthropologist. She is a Professor of Emerging Technologies in Society at the University of Helsinki's Consumer Society Research Centre.[1]
Academic career and research
Before entering academia, Ruckenstein worked as a journalist for Helsingin Sanomat.[1] At the University of Helsinki, she founded and directs the Datafied Life Collaboratory research group. Her research focuses on the anthropology of technology, science and technology studies (STS), and the societal impacts of automated decision-making.
Ruckenstein's work is funded by major national research initiatives. She serves as a Principal Investigator (PI) for the Strategic Research Council of the Research Council of Finland (formerly the Academy of Finland), leading projects such as the REPAIR initiative, which investigates the societal integration and renewal of algorithmic systems.[2] She also leads the Brokering Algorithmic Futures project, which examines public values and automated decision-making.[3][not in citation given]
Her 2023 book, The Feel of Algorithms, introduced the concept of "affective infrastructure" to describe how automated systems influence personal and social behavior. The book was widely reviewed in academic literature. Writing in the Journal of Communication, Taina Bucher noted the work's contribution to understanding the affective dimensions of artificial intelligence.[4] It was similarly reviewed in American Ethnologist, which highlighted the book's expansion of traditional anthropological methodologies into digital spaces,[5] as well as in Information, Communication & Society and Social & Cultural Geography.[6]
Public policy impact
In her academic capacity, Ruckenstein regularly advises on Finnish national technology policy. She has been called as an invited expert witness to the Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta), providing testimony regarding artificial intelligence, digitalization, and algorithmic impacts on society.[7]
Selected publications
- Ruckenstein, Minna (2023). The Feel of Algorithms. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-39455-1.
- Ruckenstein, Minna; Dow Schüll, Natasha (2017). "The Datafication of Health". Annual Review of Anthropology. 46: 261–278. doi:10.1146/annurev-anthro-102116-041244.
- Ruckenstein, Minna; Pantzar, Mika (2017). "Beyond the Quantified Self: Thematic exploration of a dataistic paradigm". New Media & Society. 19 (3): 401–418. doi:10.1177/1461444815609081.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Minna Ruckenstein". University of Helsinki Research Portal. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ↑ "Valuable breakages: repair and renewal of algorithmic systems (REPAIR)". Strategic Research Council, Research Council of Finland. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ↑ "Brokering Algorithmic Futures". University of Helsinki. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ↑ Bucher, Taina (2025-02-01). "Beyond the hype: Reframing AI through algorithms and culture". Journal of Communication. 75 (1): 81–84. doi:10.1093/joc/jqae048.
- ↑ Kaplan, Spencer (2024-05-13). "The feel of algorithms By Minna Ruckenstein". American Ethnologist. 51 (3): 458–459. doi:10.1111/amet.13292.
- ↑ Beer, David (2023-11-17). "The feel of algorithms: by Minna Ruckenstein". Information, Communication & Society: 1–2. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2023.2282558.
- ↑ "Asiantuntijalausunto: Valtioneuvoston selonteko tietopolitiikasta ja tekoälystä" [Expert Statement: Government Report on Data Policy and Artificial Intelligence] (PDF) (in suomi). Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta). 2018. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
External links
Category:University of Helsinki faculty
Category:Living people
Category:Cultural anthropologists
Category:Science and technology studies scholars
Category:Women anthropologists
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