News & Events

On 6 May 2026, the University of Galway hosted the seminar “Big Tech and Democratic Suspicion” at the Biz Hub, Áras Cairnes. The seminar featured Thomas Olesen, Professor of Political Science and Centre Director at Aarhus University. Professor Olesen explored how contemporary democracies rely on organisations while simultaneously distrusting them, with particular focus on the power and opacity of Big Tech and algorithmic systems. The talk examined whistleblowing as a democratic corrective capable of challenging organisational secrecy and abuse of power. The event was hosted by the Surveillance Capitalism Research Group and supported by the Management Discipline at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics.

More info: Aarhus University