Jo Bates

Professor Jo Bates holds the position of Professor of Data and Society at the University of Sheffield’s School of Information, Journalism and Communication. She earned her BA from Keele University, two MAs from Nottingham and Manchester Metropolitan Universities, and a PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on Critical Data Studies, examining the social, cultural, and political dimensions of data practices. Key projects include the AHRC-funded 'Patterns in Practice' (2021–2024) and collaborations with organizations like GSK and the BBC. She has been recognized with a Highly Commended Emerald Literati Award for her 2017 work on 'Data Friction'.

Her teaching includes leading the 'Data and Society' module on the MSc Data Science program and co-developing the BA Digital Media and Society degree. She actively contributes to academic governance as the Information School’s REF Co-ordinator and Head of the Digital Societies Research Group. Her research explores data cultures, climate data flows, and labor issues in crowdwork platforms, with a focus on ethics and equity in data-driven systems.