Data scraping, ethics and the law
Simon Collerton graduated from Jesus College this year with a BA in Law - and has just finished an internship with the Intellectual Forum.
We caught up with Simon about his internship:
Tell us about your internship, and what you've been working on.
Working at the Intellectual Forum was a really rewarding experience. I worked closely with Dr Sarah Steele on various projects. I developed the work of a previous intern, looking at the challenges that researchers would face when researching online sex work. After finishing this project I built on the ideas it discussed and examined the specific ethical and legal issues that arise when researchers attempt to ‘web scrape’ data from sex worker sites.
What surprised you most about this project?
This project was a unique chance to engage with ideas I had never come across before. It was the first time I had thought about research methodologies in such depth, and the topic proved interesting and challenging. It also related to previous aspects of my study and offered me the opportunity to discuss ideas and concepts with experienced academics. One discussion that stood out related to how Victorian homophobic attitudes and legislation has been reflected in modern law. It was a really engaging discussion and it informed my work at the Intellectual Forum.
What else were you involved with?
My other project involved collaborating with academics on a project about remote sensing and human trafficking. This was a niche and original project which presented difficulties as well as opportunities. It required extensive research and consideration of the law and academic opinions. My degree helped with this, but it required significantly more independent research and consideration. This project provided the ideal opportunity to perfect these skills.
What’s next for you?
I am planning to study a specialist LLM in public international law. Being involved with these two projects gave me the chance to engage with the type of issues that will arise during my studies - and was perfect preparation for it. Afterwards, I hope to work for an NGO but I am also considering going to the international criminal bar.
What would you say to a Jesus College student thinking about applying for summer work with the Intellectual Forum?
It’s an incredible opportunity to pursue something you have a unique interest in. Whether it’s connected to your degree or not, the Intellectual Forum is the ideal place to explore contemporary and engaging issues with guidance from leading academics. The members of the Intellectual Forum will offer advice and can put you in touch with experts in almost any field. It’s a great experience and you should take advantage of it.
