We focus on critical dimensions of digital responsibility, information technology and whistleblowing:

• Digital Whistleblowing Speak-up Arrangements;
• Whistleblower Networks- Partners and Allies;
• Democracy, Critique and Whistleblowing;
• Whistleblowing in Software & Services Sectors
• Open Source Whistleblowing Systems in Practice
• Whistleblowing & Global South Software Workplaces

Get in touch: kate.kenny@universityofgalway.ie

Upcoming Projects in Digital Responsibility:

Towards An Ethically Sustainable And Resilient Healthcare With Systems Thinking

This two-year research endeavor addresses accountability and resilience in healthcare whistleblowing systems. It focuses on healthcare professionals' perspectives, using mixed-methods analysis and systems thinking. The study employs the Whistleblowing in Health Care© instrument to gather data on individual whistleblowing and participatory methods for team-level analysis. It aims to develop a theoretical framework for understanding whistleblowing dynamics in healthcare, offering practical recommendations for stakeholders. Outcomes include a refined whistleblowing instrument, international data collection, and insights for ethical policymaking. The project lays the groundwork for an ethics simulation software promoting sustainable healthcare practices.  Forthcoming 2025-2026

Funded By: The SyMeCo Postdoctoral fellowship programme coordinated by Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, and co-funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND programme and Science Foundation Ireland.

Whistleblowing in Big Tech:

Whistleblowing is crucial for ensuring responsible technology by uncovering unethical practices within tech companies, like data privacy breaches and discrimination. It empowers employees to expose wrongdoing, holding companies accountable and prompting ethical reforms. Through whistleblowing, issues like technology misuse and biased algorithms are brought to light, fostering transparency and integrity in the tech sector. This promotes alignment with ethical principles and societal values, prompting regulatory action and internal changes for a more accountable and ethical technological landscape. Research ongoing: Get in touch.

Speak-Up Systems & Digital Platforms

Technology enables secure, efficient whistleblowing systems in organizations, offering anonymous reporting channels that reduce fear of retaliation. Digital platforms incorporate encryption to safeguard whistleblowers' identities and information. Automated tracking streamlines report handling, ensuring prompt resolution and transparency. This fosters a culture of integrity and openness, encouraging employees to report ethical breaches without fear. Ultimately, technology-enabled whistleblowing cultivates trust, ethical behavior, and accountability within organizations. This research project focuses on open-source systems used to achieve these aims. Research ongoing: Get in touch.