Marie Eneman

Docent

Department of Applied IT, div Informatics

Telephone

+46 709-75 88 44

Mail

marie.eneman@ait.gu.se

Visiting address

Forskningsgången 6

417 56 Göteborg

Postal address

Box 100

412 96 Göteborg

About Marie Eneman

Marie Eneman, Associate Professor in Informatics

PhD in Informatics and MSc in Computer Science from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.

Research focus

My research examines how digital technologies and AI shape and (re)organise practices of policing and justice, and the opportunities and challenges this creates across the justice system. Drawing on long-standing research experience, I analyse how these practices are shaped, governed and constrained in relation to crime control and public safety, and under what conditions they can operate in ways that are legitimate, legally sound and accountable. I also examine associated risks and trade-offs, including when data collection practices and forms of algorithmic governance may shift towards surveillance, with implications for democratic governance, rights such as privacy and freedom of expression, and due process.

My research is empirically grounded in studies of how digital and AI-based technologies are used across policing and the justice system, including police work, criminal investigations, prosecution and court proceedings, as well as the forms of epistemic knowledge these technologies produce. This includes research on CCTV, body-worn cameras, drones, biometric technologies such as facial recognition and DNA genealogy, secret data reading, open-source intelligence (OSINT) etc, and the construction, validation and use of digital material as evidence within the justice system. A central analytical concern is how these technologies are embedded within broader socio-technical infrastructures involving both public authorities and private technology providers, and how regulation, oversight and accountability are organised across these public-private arrangements, including in the context of emerging regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act.

My research also investigates how digital technologies and AI are used in the investigations of online child sexual abuse and sexual grooming. It analyses how investigative practices, evidentiary standards and accountability mechanisms are shaped in contexts involving large volumes of digital data and highly sensitive material. This research draws on extensive experience of conducting research involving highly sensitive material and vulnerable groups, and is carried out in line with high ethical standards and established principles of research integrity.

My theoretical orientation is grounded in informatics and informed by socio-technical and legal perspectives. My research examines how digital technologies and data become embedded in organisational practices and governance arrangements.

My research primarily draws on qualitative methods, including interviews and document analysis. I also contribute to the SOM Institute’s national survey, exploring citizens’ perspectives on surveillance, privacy and integrity in the digital society.

Research leadership and policy engagement

I have extensive experience as a research leader and currently lead several externally funded research projects. I have also held academic leadership roles, including as deputy head of department, and as a member of the faculty board and the department council. In addition, I have been responsible for evaluation work for the Swedish Police concerning their use of technological regulation (blocking) of child sexual abuse material, and have contributed to reviews of legislation relating to the offence of 'child pornography' and the offence of 'contact with children for sexual purposes' (often referred to as sexual grooming).

I have also been engaged by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and the Swedish Police Authority in research activities focusing on AI and its possibilities and challenges for law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, I have recently been involved in government-commissioned work, including assignments on privacy and data protection and on the public administration’s capacity to use AI, with particular relevance for questions of governance, oversight and trust in relation to citizens.

Teaching and public engagement

I am actively involved in teaching and supervision at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, and regularly present my research both within academia and to practitioners, policymakers and wider public audiences.