Surveillance Studies Network


The Surveillance Studies Network is a non-profit academic association dedicated to the study of surveillance in all its forms. It was founded in 2006 as a charitable company registered in the UK. Its purpose is to support an international, transdisciplinary academic community researching and teaching about surveillance in society. The SSN publishes the journal Surveillance & Society, holds biennial conferences, makes awards, and provides small research grants.

Officers and governance

Current Directors include Azadeh Akbari, Fernanda Bruno, Julia Chan, David Murakami Wood, Bryce Newell, and Gavin Smith. Previous Directors include Rosamunde van Brakel, Kirstie Ball, Pete Fussey, Stephen Graham, David Lyon, Torin Monahan, Clive Norris, Joshua Reeves, Emmeline Taylor, Dean Wilson, Nils Zurawski.

Membership

Membership is open to any individual interested in the study of surveillance in society.

Publications

The SSN regularly publishes
  • Surveillance & Society: A fully open-access academic journal published quarterly. It offers peer-reviewed research articles, dialogue sections on contemporary issues, interviews, and artistic presentations.
  • : a blog providing summaries of key articles from Surveillance & Society, interviews, research notes, and publication tips.

    Prizes and grants

The SSN awards a number of prizes and grants including
In 2006, the Information Commissioner's Office in the United Kingdom contracted with the Surveillance Studies Network to produce “A Report on the Surveillance Society,” which was presented at the 28th International Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners' Conference in London. The report received international media attention and led to several parliamentary investigations into surveillance in the UK. In 2010, SSN updated the report, which was presented to Parliament by the UK Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham.