Studium Generale is a joint initiative between AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp, deSingel Arts Campus and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen
Our annual Studium Generale lecture series revolve around a central, socially relevant theme. We invite ten speakers to share their personal experiences, findings, reflections and ideas for the future with the audience. With this lecture series AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts encourages participants to reflect on current issues. Interdisciplinarity and social relevance are key in this respect. The Studium Generale lectures are open to all those interested and are held in Dutch or English. Each lecture is followed by a short debate with the audience.
During the course of the academic year we invite a wide audience of students, lecturers and fellow thinkers to join us for ten Tuesday evenings of refreshing reflections and enriching dialogue. This year our Studium Generale lecture series will focus on PRIVACY.
Privacy is a universal human right which does not only protect your personal data, but also your autonomy and integrity. The right to privacy is a prerequisite for all other human rights and is part of the Belgian constitution and European regulations. Nonetheless, our privacy is facing an increasing amount of threats.
In the fight against crime and terrorism, privacy is too often used as a bargaining chip. Just think of smart ANPR cameras that record our daily activities on the street, the digital fingerprint on our identity card, the data retention law that obligates telecom companies to keep our communications data on record. What's more, we voluntarily exchange our personal data for the convenience or entertainment of seemingly innocent digital applications. For many companies, these data are worth their weight in gold.
Why do we do this? And do we really have 'nothing to hide'? What price are we prepared to pay for the protection of our health and safety? How secure are our data in the hands of companies and governments? Ten fascinating speakers from various fields of expertise will shine their light on the theme of privacy from unexpected angles.
in Dutch
Dinsdag 13 oktober 2020 om 19.00 u
Gezien de coronamaatregelen zal deze lezing als online live stream doorgaan.
Beschouwingen over privacy gaan vandaag meestal over digitalisering, algoritmes, data science, AI en surveillance. Dat is begrijpelijk, want privacy zoals we dat tot voor kort kenden zal de huidige technologische ontwikkelingen niet overleven. Toch moeten we de gevolgen van de digitale revolutie voor onze privacy in een ruimer cultuurhistorisch kader plaatsen. Het vertrekpunt van deze lezing is dat de grens privaat/publiek in het verleden op heel verschillende manieren werd ingevuld. Die grens is meer een spanninsgveld en een dynamiek dan een simpele afbakening. We kunnen pas goed begrijpen wat er nu aan de gang is wanneer we de huidige transformatie vergelijken met eerdere, even ingrijpende herschikkingen van die grens. En dus vullen we de analyse van elektronische platformen en dataopslag aan met antropologische en cultuursociologische inzichten. Bestonden er culturen zonder privacy? Wat was er eerst: een private of een publieke sfeer? Hoe beïnvloedt de transformatie van de publieke sfeer de privacy - en omgekeerd? Hoe staat privacy in verhouding tot civilité, burgerschap? En ook: is privacy een bolwerk dat op het punt staat te begeven? En wat een mensbeeld, als daar nog sprake van is, komt er dan in de plaats?
in English
Extremism and terrorism do not occur in a vacuum. They are often preceded by a process of polarisation and radicalisation. Alienation from our society makes individual vulnerable to being influenced by all kinds of extremist ideologies (left-wing, right-wing, Jihadi-Salafi). The Internet plays a major part in this: half of the world's population is connected to the World Wide Web. Never has there been so much information and never has the risk of being influenced by mis- or disinformation been so great. So the challenges are many. Faced with the hybridisation of the threat are the security services. They have to predict the unpredictable. From all the available data, they must try to extract the important elements and identify the triggers why people resort to violence. In addition, society must remain critical and not be fooled by the infodemic that is coming our way. The role of the media in balanced and nuanced reporting is essential here.
in English
Tuesday November 10th, 2020 at 7 pm
Due to the corona measures this lecture will be held as an online live stream.
Digital platforms aimed at creating social networks - better known under the misnomer social media - are an inherent part of our lives. We are 'all' on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and, yes, TikTok. With every click, upload, comment and fun quiz we provide a tremendous amount of private data that feed the algorithms of all kind. Trading these data with so-called third parties is an inherent part of the business model of digital platforms. The talk explores the relative value of these data for the various parties involved as well as important legal and ethical issues. To this end, we combine results from empirical research with more abstract considerations regarding (data) privacy and related concepts such as trust, surveillance, but also consumers as digital laborers. Ultimately, we want to provide food for thought: when it comes to our privacy and digital network platforms: are we too concerned or not nearly concerned enough?
in English
Tuesday November 24th, 2020 at 7 pm
Due to the corona measures this lecture will be held as an online live stream.
As an artist coming from Syria, you have already faced a lot of challenges. Coming out of war and starting a new life in Europe where privacy is a big concern, here comes the challenge of sharing your private life through art and business. Privacy is to keep the windows of your house closed, but there is no harm in opening them to the sunlight. It is a sign of being alive if you are a number in the files. But it makes your life so much more valuable, if you are human and reach out to the new society around you.
in Dutch
Dinsdag 8 december 2020 om 19.00 u
Gezien de coronamaatregelen zal deze lezing als online live stream doorgaan.
Inti De Ceukelaire mag je naast een ethische hacker ook een ethische stalker noemen: hij ontmaskerde voor het TV-programma 'Opgejaagd' een heleboel cyberstalkers, ontwikkelde een 'Facebook Scanner' om privacyproblemen bij Facebook aan te vechten én wist het prive e-mailadres van first lady Melania Trump te bemachtigen. In deze praktische sessie laat Inti in zijn kaarten kijken, toont hij hoe moeilijk het is om je online anonimiteit en privacy te behouden, en wijst hij ons op veelgemaakte fouten die zelfs de beste cybercriminelen de das omdeden.
The lectures that are set to take place during spring 2021 will be announced at a later date. Keep an eye on this page or send an email to studiumgenerale@ap.be if you would like to be kept up to speed.
* Please note: all registrations have ended
