Spatial Data Infrastructuring: praxis between dilemmas

摘要

The paper argues that SDI development can best be considered as context-dependent praxis more than as technological artefact if SDI is to facilitate deliberation and learning in public governance. Because of the many different and often conflicting perspectives, interests and other values that are involved in SDI development, this inevitably causes paradoxes and dilemmas in its development and operation. Therefore, the paper also proposed transdisciplinary framing of praxis in SDI development. But transdisciplinarity presents its own ethical challenges. The different perspectives on the SDI phenomenon must be given “equal right” to co-exist. Moreover, transdisciplinarity is not particularly supported by contemporary academic praxis. Therefore, aspiring transdisciplinary SDI researchers are confronted with tough, value-rational choices in balancing academic ideals and career advancements. Finally, the paper suggests that praxis-focused SDI research is prudent and practical common sense and could benefit from ethnographic methods.