In the wonderful context of the RC33-ISA – 11th Social Science Methodology Conference, Naples, 22-25 September 2025, we are happy to chair the challenges workshop titled Reimagining Social Research in the Data-Driven Age. Risks, Opportunities and Ethical Challenges.

The rapid evolution of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the spread of big data, is reshaping the landscape of scientific research. The levels affected by the current emerging scenario are different: from research design to the organization of the researcher’s work, from the relationship with colleagues to the dissemination of the results of scientific work, from evaluation practices to the ethical dimension (De Angelis, 2024) that involve each life dimensions. While existing literature emphasizes the need to promote data literacy—often referred to as “alphabetizing data”—this panel proposes that it is crucial to prioritize understanding the data itself (Capogna, 2022; 2024). This understanding aligns with sociology’s established role of studying and explaining the complexities of social relationships across various contexts and time periods.

We are happy to discuss about that with our valuable colleagues:

• Ida Cortoni, AI ethics in Higher Education
• Eleonora Sparano, Simulation and Duplication. Reading AI from the Perspective of J.R. Searle
• Ciro Prospero and Carmine Urciuoli, Understanding the narrative of non-binary identities online: between heuristic potential and the pitfalls of digital data
• Iacopo Moreschini, Martina D’Amato, Simone Dei Pieri, Fabio Ferri, Elena Grimaccia and Daniele Montepara, Gender Disparities in STEM Job Markets: Insights from LinkedIn Data

Keywords: Social research, Digital transformation, Research ethics, data-driven age, gender disparities. 

Discussant/Convenors:

Stefania Capogna, Link Campus University

Maria Chiara De Angelis, Link Campus University

Link to the programme: https://rc33.org/11icssm-program/