Dr.

About

Astrid Mager is a scholar in Science and Technology Studies with a particular interest in Internet technologies and socio-political developments. Her research is concerned with the Internet and society, search engine policies, algorithms and aspects of privacy, critical theory, as well as digital methods against the background of science and technology studies and technology assessment.

Education

Born in 1977 and raised in Linz, she studied sociology and communication sciences at the University of Vienna. She ended her studies in 2002 with a master's thesis dealing with organ transplantation in Austrian media debates (Mag.rer.soc.oec.). From 2002-2003 she studied at the Université Paris Diderot (Erasmus grant). She also attended a number of workshops on Internet research and network analysis by the Govcom.org Foundation, Amsterdam (Prof. Dr. Richard Rogers). She finished her PhD thesis on the Internet as a a source of health information in 2010 at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna, supervised by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ulrike Felt (Dr. phil.).

Experience

From 2004-2009 Astrid Mager worked as a research collaborator at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, mainly on the project "Virtually Informed. The Internet in the medical field" (FWF). She was also a lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies and Nursing Sciences from 2005 to 2010. From 2010 to 2012 she worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the HUMlab, Umeå University, in Sweden and investigated search engines and algorithmic ideologies.

Since 2012 she works as a postdoctoral researcher at the ITA, leading the project on "Glocal Search". Search technology at the intersection of global capitalism and local socio-political cultures" (OeNB) at first. Since November 2016 she is leader of the FWF project "Algorithmic imaginaries. Visions and values in the shaping of search engines" (Elise Richter fellowship). She teaches at the Department of Science and Technology Studies as an external lecturer and is co-editor of the open-access journal "Momentum Quaterly - Journal for social progress".

In 2018 Mager was elected to the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Projects

TA Projects

TA Projects

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Selected Publications

Her list of publications includes a number of articles in international journals – such as Social Studies of Science; New Media & Society; Policy & Internet; Information, Communication & Society – dealing with the Internet and medicine, and, more recently, search engines in contemporary capitalism.

Refereed Contributions

Refereed Contributions

  • Mager, A., & Katzenbach, C. (2021). Future imaginaries in the making and governing of digital technology: Multiple, contested, commodified. New Media And Societyspecial Issue: “We Are On A Mission”. Exploring Future Imaginaries In The Making And Governing Of Digital Technology., 23, 223-236. doi:10.1177/1461444820929321
  • Allhutter, D., Cech, F., Fischer, F., Grill, G., & Mager, A. (2020). Algorithmic Profiling of Job Seekers in Austria: How Austerity Politics Are Made Effective. Frontiers In Big Data, Special Issue Critical Data and Algorithm Studies, 17. doi:10.3389/fdata.2020.00005
  • Mager, A., & Mayer, K. (2019). Body data-data body: Tracing ambiguous trajectories of data bodies between empowerment and social control in the context of health. Momentum Quarterly, 8, 95-108. doi:10.15203/momentumquarterly.vol8.no2.p95-108
  • Mager, A. (2019). Zur Definition der Ideologie des Algorithmus: Kommerzielle Suchmaschinen im Licht der Ideologiekritik. Maske Und Kothurn, 64, 107-127. doi:10.7767/mako.2018.64.1-2.107
  • Mager, A. (2019). Book Review: Ann Rudinow Sætnan, Ingrid Schneider, and Nicola Green (2018): The Politics of Big Data. Big Data, Big Brother?. Information, Communication And Society, 22, 1523-1525. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2019.1567804
  • Mager, A. (2018). Internet governance as joint effort: (Re)Ordering search engines at the intersection of global and local cultures. New Media &Amp; Society, 20, 3657-3677. Retrieved from https://epub.oeaw.ac.at/ita/ita-papers/internet-governance-as-joint-effort.pdf
  • Mager, A. (2017). Search engine imaginary: Visions and values in the co-production of search technology and Europe. Social Studies Of Science, 47, 240-262. Retrieved from https://epub.oeaw.ac.at/ita/ita-papers/search-engine-imaginary.pdf
  • Mager, A. (2014). Ideologie des Algorithmus. Wie der neue Geist des Kapitalismus Suchmaschinen formt. In B. Stark, Dörr, D., & Aufenanger, S. (Eds.), Die Googleisierung der Informationssuche. Suchmaschinen zwischen Nutzung und Regulierung (pp. 201-223). Berlin / Boston: De Gruyter. Retrieved from https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110338218/html?lang=de
  • Mager, A. (2014). Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines. Triplec: Communication, Capitalism &Amp; Critique, 12. Jg. – 2014, 28-39. Retrieved from http://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/439/523
  • Eklöf, J., & Mager, A. (2013). Technoscientific Promotion and Biofuel Policy: How the press and search engines stage the biofuel controversy. Media, Culture &Amp; Society, 35, 454-471. doi:10.1177/0163443713483794
  • Mager, A. (2012). Algorithmic Ideology. How capitalist society shapes search engines. Information, Communication &Amp; Society. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2012.676056
  • Mager, A. (2012). Search Engines Matter: From educating users towards engaging with online health information practices. Policy &Amp; Internet, 4.
  • Mager, A. (2012). Health information politics: Reconsidering the democratic ideal of the Web as a source of medical knowledge. First Monday, 17. doi:10.5210/fm.v17i10.3895
  • Mager, A. (2012). Book review: Erkki Huhtamo and Jussi Parikka (eds.) Media Archaeology. Approaches, Applications, and Implications. Information, Communication And Society, 16, 1009-1012. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2012.722224
  • Mager, A. (2009). Mediated Health. Sociotechnical practices of providing and using online health information. New Media &Amp; Society, 11, 1123-1142. Retrieved from http://nms.sagepub.com/content/11/7/1123.abstract
  • Felt, U., Gugglberger, L., & Mager, A. (2009). Shaping the future e-patient: The citizen-patient in public discourse on e-health. Science Studies, 22, 24-43. Retrieved from http://www.sciencetechnologystudies.org/system/files/Felt_et_al.pdf
  • Felt, U., Fochler, M., Mager, A., & Winkler, P. (2008). Visions and versions of governing biomedicine: narratives on power structures, decision-making, and public participation in the field of biomedical technologies in the Austrian context. Social Studies Of Science, 38, 233-257. Retrieved from http://sss.sagepub.com/content/38/2/233.abstract

Articles/Book contributions

Articles/Book contributions

  • Mager, A. (2023). European Search? How to counter-imagine and counteract hegemonic search with European search engine projects. Big Data And Societyspecial Issue “The State Of Google Critique And Intervention”, 10, 1-13. doi:10.1177/20539517231163173
  • Mager, A., & Mayer, K. (2017). Biofeedback. Von Körperdaten und Datenkörpern. In H. Ranzenbacher (Ed.), FIN/2 – Liquid Music. Wies: Eigenverlag Liquid Music.
  • Gudowsky, N., Sotoudeh, M., Bogner, A., Fuchs, D., Mager, A., Stemberger, S., Krieger-Lamina, J., Strauß, S., Torgersen, H., Wächter, P., & Zinner, H. (2014). Responsible Research und TA – Innovationen neu gestalten. Bericht von der 6. Konferenz des Netzwerks TA und der 14. Jahreskonferenz des ITA Wien (NTA6-TA14). Technikfolgenabschätzung – Theorie Und Praxis (Tatup), 23, 106-110. Retrieved from http://www.tatup-journal.de/tatup143_guua14a.php
  • Mager, A. (2014). Is small really beautiful? Big search and its alternatives. In R. König & Rasch, M. (Eds.), Society of the Query Reader. Reflections on Web Search (pp. 59-72). Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures.
  • Mager, A. (2013). In search of ideology. Socio-cultural dimensions of Google and alternative search engines (ITA-manu:script 13-02). doi:10.1553/ITA-ms-13-02

Books/Editorships

Books/Editorships

  • Mager, A., & Katzenbach, C. (2021). Special issue: “We Are on a Mission”. Exploring Future Imaginaries in the Making and Governing of Digital Technology. (A. Mager & Katzbach, C., Eds.), New Media and SocietySpecial issue: “We Are on a Mission”. Exploring Future Imaginaries in the Making and Governing of Digital Technology. (Vol. 23, pp. 223-236). doi:10.1177/1461444820929321

Research Reports

Research Reports

  • Allhutter, D., Mager, A., Cech, F., Fischer, F., & Grill, G. (2020). Der AMS Algorithmus - Eine Soziotechnische Analyse des Arbeitsmarktchancen-Assistenz-Systems (AMAS) (p. 120). Wien. doi:/10.1553/ITA-pb-2020-02
  • Mager, A. (2015). Glocal Search – Search technology at the intersection of global capitalism and local socio-political cultures: Final Report (p. 12). Wien. doi:/10.1553/ita-pb-a64

Conference Papers/Speeches

Conference Papers/Speeches

  • 07/12/2022 , Cholula (online)
    Mager, Astrid
    How to counter-act hegemonic search with European search projects “growing in the ruins scalability leaves behind”
    4S/ESOCITE
    Other Lecture
  • 04/11/2022 , Dublin
    Mager, Astrid
    Marginalized search. How to counter-act hegemonic search with alternative search projects from Europe
    AOIR Conference
    Other Lecture
  • 07/07/2022 , Madrid
    Mager, Astrid
    Alternative Search. Envisioning and encoding social justice in European search infrastructures
    EASST2022 - Politics of Technoscientifc Futures
    Other Lecture
  • 01/06/2022 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    How to counter–act hegemonic search with alternative search projects from Europe
    International Digital Security Forum
    Other Lecture
  • 17/05/2022 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Algorithmic Imaginaries. Visions and values in the shaping of search engines
    Digital Humanities lecture series
    Other Lecture
  • 12/04/2022 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Algorithmic Imaginaries
    Lecture “Algorithmic Imaginaries” & panel discussion
    Named Lecture
  • 22/02/2022 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Algorithmische Imaginationen. Von der kapitalistischen Ideologie zur Suchmaschinen-Diversität?
    Lecture zu Gender & Diversity
    Other Lecture
  • 13/12/2021 , Vienna
    Mager, Astrid Cech, Florian
    Digital Technologies and Labour Market Policy: the AMS Algorithm
    Ringvorlesung Governing Algorithms
    Other Invited Lecture
  • 14/10/2021 , Hallstatt
    Mager, Astrid Gegenhuber, Thomas
    Momentum Young Research Workshop
    Momentum Kongress, Preconference
    Other Lecture
  • 12/10/2021 , online / Genf
    Mager, Astrid
    Encoding social change? Analysis of open search technology between German hacker ethics and Asian star-up culture
    3rd International Search Symposium (invited keynote)
    Keynote
  • 09/10/2021 , online / Toronto
    Mager, Astrid
    Encoding Freedom: Analysis of open search technology between German hacker ethics and Asian start-up culture
    4S Annual Meeting 2021
    Other Invited Lecture
  • 16/09/2021 , online / Lund
    Mager, Astrid
    Searching for alternatives. How counter-imaginaries drive digital search technology
    Search Symposium, Lund University (invited keynote)
    Keynote
  • 11/05/2021 , online / Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Auf zu neuen Ufern? Analyse von alternativen Suchmaschinen und deren Imaginationen von demokratischen digitalen Zukünften
    Digital, direkt, demokratisch? Technikfolgenabschätzung und die Zukunft der Demokratie (NTA9-TA21)
    Other Lecture
  • 18/03/2021 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Coping with the Covid-19 crisis
    Virtual ÖAW Joint Academy Day (panel discussion)
    Other Invited Lecture
  • 28/01/2021 , Wien
    Mager, Astrid
    Algorithmen - Freund oder Feind?
    Live-Diskussion der Wiener Zeitung
    Other Lecture
  • 16/10/2020 , online/Hallstadt
    Allhutter, D. Cech, F. Fischer, F. Grill., G. Mager, A.
    Algorithmic Welfare: BürgerInnen-Profiling im Wohlfahrtsstaat
    ‘Locating and Timing Matters: Significance and Agency of STS in Emerging Worlds
    Other Lecture
  • 16/10/2020 , Online
    Mager, A.
    Ask Susi! Analyzing open search technology between German hacker ethics and Asian start-up culture
    Momentum Kongress: Republik
    Other Lecture
  • 16/10/2020 , online
    Mager, A. Allhutter, D. Cech, F. Fischer F. Grill, G.
    Algorithmic Welfare: BürgerInnen-Profiling im Wohlfahrtsstaat
    Momentum Kongress: Republik
    Other Lecture
  • 11/09/2020 , Linz
    Mager, A. Dang, H.
    How to create your own AI device with SUSI.AI – An open source platform for conversational web
    Ars Electronica Festival
    Other Lecture
  • 19/08/2020 , online /Prague
    Mager, A. Katzenbach C.
    Future imaginaries in the making and governing of digital technology: Multiple, contested, commodified
    4S/EASST conference 2020
    Other Lecture

Short Articles

Short Articles

  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2023). European Search. ITA-Dossier No 70en (March 2023; Author: Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-070en
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2023). Europäische Suche. ITA Dossier Nr. 70 (März2023; Autorin: Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-070
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2022). New paths towards open data? ITA Dossier No 63en (May 2022, Author: Fynn Semken, Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-063en
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2022). Neue Wege zu offenen Daten. ITA-Dossier Nr. 63 (Mai 2022; Autor*innen: Fynn Semken, Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-063
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2021). How fair is the AMS Algorithm? ITA-Dossier no. 52en (March 2021; Authors: Astrid Mager, Doris Allhutter). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-052en
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2021). Wie fair ist der AMS-Algorithmus? ITA-Dossier Nr. 52 (Jänner 2021; AutorInnen: Astrid Mager, Doris Allhutter). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-052
  • Mager, A., & Allhutter, D. (2020). AMS-Algorithmus könnte zu struktureller und sozialer Ungleichheit beitragen. Arbeit Und Wirtschaft Blog. Retrieved from https://awblog.at/ams-algorithmus-koennte-zu-sozialer-ungleichheit-beitragen/
  • Mager, A. (2020). Deus ex machina? Rezension zu "Todesalgorithmus: Das Dilemma der künstlichen Intelligenz" von Roberto Simanowski. Retrieved from https://www.soziopolis.de/lesen/buecher/artikel/deus-ex-machina/
  • Mager, A. (2020). Digitale Weichenstellungen in der Krise. Der Standard - Junge Akademie Blog. Retrieved from https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000117504511/digitale-weichenstellungen-in-der-krise
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2020). AMS Algorithm on trial. ITA-Dossier no. 43en (February 2020; Authors: Doris Allhutter, Fabian Fischer, Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-043en
  • Mager, A. (2019). Myth #19: Search engines provide objective results. In Matthias C Ketteman and Stephan Dreyer (Ed.), Busted. The truth about the 50 most common internet myths. (p. 2). doi:10.5281/zenodo.3520739
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2019). AMS-Algorithmus am Prüfstand. ITA-Dossier Nr. 43 (Juli 2019; AutorInnen: Doris Allhutter, Fabian Fischer, Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-043
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2018). Quantified self. ITA-Dossier no. 35en (April 2018; Authors: Astrid Mager, Katja Mayer). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-035en
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2018). Selbst vermessen – fremd gesteuert. ITA-Dossier Nr. 35 (April 2018; Autorinnen: Astrid Mager, Katja Mayer). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-035
  • Mager, A. (2017). Weizenbaum-Institut: Wird sein Name Programm sein?. openTA-Blog. Retrieved from https://www.openta.net/blog/-/blogs/weizenbaum-institut-wird-sein-name-programm-sein-
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2015). Europe against Google & Co.? ITA-Dossier no. 15en (April 2015; Author: Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-015en
  • ITA [Hrsg.],. (2015). Europa gegen Google & Co? ITA-Dossier Nr. 15 (April 2015; Autorin: Astrid Mager). Wien. doi:10.1553/ita-doss-015
  • Mager, A. (2012). "Glokale" Perspektive auf Google & Co. Ita-Newsletter, 3 f.Retrieved from https://epub.oeaw.ac.at/ita/ita-newsletter/NL0312.pdf#3

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

  • Mager, A. (2022). David gegen Goliath? Wie europäische Suchmaschinen digitale Zukünfte neu denken und gestalten. OVE Informationstechnik-NewsletterSchwerpunkt Social Media. Retrieved from https://www.ove.at/digitalisierung/news-zur-digitalisierung/detail/david-gegen-goliath/
  • Dobusch, L., Lehner, L., Mager, A., & Wöhl, S. (2021). Editorial der HerausgeberInnen. Momentum Quarterly - Zeitschrift für Sozialen Fortschritt. Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press. doi:10.15203/momentumquarterly.vol10.no1.p1

Contact

Tel.: +43 (0)1 515 81-6598
Fax: (+43-1-) 515 81-6570
Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna
astrid.mager(at)oeaw.ac.at

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