Finding my Graduate Path at Summer School

Before attending Summer School, I was unsure about what I would like to do after finishing my undergraduate degree. I knew I wanted to do a master’s, but I hadn’t figured out the details yet. Luckily, I was able to discover my graduate path this August while at LSE Summer School. This revelation was made possible through the enriching social science environment at LSE, the guidance of knowledgeable and compassionate teachers which gave me a growing awareness of the importance of social science to both society and individual growth. Moreover, I have honed in on a specific area of interest that I plan to delve deeper into during my future graduate studies thanks to this experience.

As a student majoring in Journalism, when contemplating my graduate path, it was essential for me to first determine whether social science is a worthwhile pursuit. Many countries tend to prioritise natural sciences, which can lead us to undervalue the significance of social science. In light of these concerns, I approached my IR220: Digital Platforms: Power, Politics and Resistance tutor with a fundamental question: "Why do you continue to study and conduct research in media and communication? What do you believe is the importance and impact of social science research?"

I am still grateful for his patient and passionate response. My tutor explained that social science research serves as an alarm bell, drawing attention to human rights issues affecting marginalised populations. It aids policymakers in finding effective solutions and guides commercial organisations in developing strategies that prevent them from causing scandals or suffering economic losses through unethical practices. His insights inspired me to consider the less visible human rights problems of the world, problems often obscured by technology and political giants. Therefore, I now appreciate the significance of social science in addressing both visible and invisible human rights challenges, thanks to my tutor and also other diverse perspectives I encountered at LSE.

Having solidified my belief in the strength of social science, my next step was to pinpoint a specific research area. I think this decision is heavily influenced by personal academic interests and what feels most relevant to your career plans. While personal interests stem from our unique characteristics, LSE Summer School played a pivotal role in exposing us to new topics and interests that we may not have encountered before. It also guided us in understanding how these interests connect with the academic world, encouraging us to shed light on societal issues through our research.

During my course IR220: Digital Platforms: Power, Politics, and Resistance, my professor Dr. Plantin emphasised the profound societal impact of digital platforms. His discussions prompted me to focus on the issue of "labour" within these platforms. Following detailed discussions with my tutor Abel, I realized that ride-hailing platforms, for instance, collect data from their workers and use it to further their commercial interests, often without the workers' full comprehension. As I delved further into the topic, it became increasingly evident that, in the Chinese context, many drivers in ride-hailing platforms are migrant workers and individuals vulnerable to layoffs, making it difficult for them to challenge these platforms, even as they recognize the unequal treatment. Moreover, platforms not only gather data on drivers' daily labour processes but also utilise this information to perform additional tasks, such as collecting data from customers and transportation providers, all to enhance their algorithmic performance. This often results in overwork and the creation of invisible data workers, trapping them in a cycle that's challenging to escape.

Through lectures, discussions with tutors, and independent study, I have developed a clear research direction focusing on how digital platforms utilise data, and the human rights implications of data usage, particularly concerning marginalized groups. Furthermore, the structured schedule of lectures has provided me with insightful theories and practical cases to enhance my understanding of the subject, including content moderation, recommendation systems and hiring algorithms, particularly as I refine my study path towards the intersection of labour and digital platforms.

In summary, LSE Summer School has provided me with a professional and international environment where I have gained diverse and valuable perspectives on social science. This experience has solidified my determination to pursue graduate studies in social science. Meanwhile, the exceptional and caring teachers at LSE have assisted me in uncovering my hidden interests, connecting them to academic study, and building the knowledge base necessary for future research.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.