David Beer

I’m a Professor of Sociology at the University of York, UK. My work explores how transformations in technology and media have reshaped culture and society. Amongst other things, this has included work on the politics of data and metrics, the social power of algorithms, the tensions of A.I. and the dynamics of social media. Alongside this I work on the history and future of social thought – with a focus on imagination, creativity and inspiration – and am a critic writing on books and music.

Information about my books can be found here and my journal articles here. In addition, my writing has appeared in a number of other places including TLS, BBC, Open Democracy, The Independent, Big Issue North, The Critic, Prospect and others (a selection of these pieces can be found here).

I’m also on the editorial boards of the journals Theory, Culture & Society, Information, Communication & Society, Cultural Sociology, Dialogues on Digital Society and Big Data & Society.

This site provides information about my writing along with links to my work.

I write a blog called ‘half thoughts‘ that I use as a notepad for sharing ideas and interesting things I encounter.

If you would like to contact me you can find my contact details on my university pages.