CPDP Conference Who is Who

Name: Christian van ‘t Hof

Affiliation: Senior Researcher Rathenau Institute

Personal web-site:

http://www.rathenau.nl/en/employees/christian-van-t-hof.html

Short BIO

As a sociologist and electronics engineer, Van ‘t Hof researches the correlations between human and digital networks. He did this as a researcher at the Ithaca Media Group, RAND Europe, and since 2004 at the Rathenau Institute. His current research involves RFID, social networks and police investigation. Furthermore, he presents popular scientific programmes and is chairman of the Tagology Foundation.

CPDP Conference 2011

25 January, 18.00: “Check in / check out. The Public Space as an Internet of Things”

25 January, 20.00: panel “PUBLIC DEBATE ON SURVEILLANCE IN FLANDERS AND NETHERLANDS”

26 January, 17.15: panel “SURVEILLANCE IN THE NETHERLANDS: STRATEGIES AND COUNTERSTRATEGIES”

Book presentation: “Check in / check out. The Public Space as an Internet of Things”

In public space we are increasingly surrounded by digital devices. Cameras guard over our safety, antennas and sensors keep track of our driving speeds, and digital wicket gates determine whether or not we gain access to the train station.

The information society is moving into a new phase. We do not only surf the net from behind our computers; more and more, we are living in the net. Check In / Check Out focuses on a country way advanced in digitalising public places: the Netherlands and compares it with big cities, such as Tokyo, London and Shanghai.

What will this new phase in our information society will mean for citizens? How do new digital technologies enhance user prospects? Are they liberating or might they actually restrict the privacy of citizens?

On-line publications

1. C. van 't Hof, R. van Est and F. Daemen (eds.), Check in / Check out. The Public Space as an Internet of Things. (Rotterdam: NAi Publishers, 2011)

2. Ying Ying Lau, Christian van ‘t Hof and Rinie van Est (2008) “Beyond the Surface. An Exploration in Healthcare Robotics in Japan. The Hague: Rathenau Institute

3. Hof, C. van 't and W.F. Schilpzand (2008) “Near Field Communication. Convenience takes a big step forward, but what about the foorprints we leave?” The Hague: Rathenau Institute