Robin Plique

Please tell us about your research project. 

My PhD focuses on the legal implications of scoring, profiling and more generally evaluating individuals. This involves articulating the existing package of EU laws regarding the matter (GDPR, DSA, DMA etc.) with its upcoming AI regulation. In this context, researching scores and profiles of individuals means crossing insights from pragmatist philosophy, the sociology of valuation and quantification or science and technology studies with classical legal interpretation of the above-mentioned regulations. This will allow me to clarify what it means to evaluate an individual, whether it is legal to do so - counterintuitively, this isn’t obvious! - and if yes, what substantial and processual protection is afforded to them. 
  
Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme? 

I am staying in Oxford this September as part of the Maison Française d’Oxford’s monthly scholarship. It is a brilliant opportunity to meet with researchers working in the UK on similar subjects, and the access to the invaluable material the Bodleian libraries afford is very much appreciated. 
  
First impressions of Oxford/the University? 

I visited Oxford when I was younger and did my undergrad in the UK, so it feels a bit nostalgic to be here. The MFO people are very friendly and welcoming, the town is amazing, and Blackwell’s might very well have just become my favourite place on Earth. Hopefully my whole budget does not vanish too fast on a book buying spree.