About
Recovering from a broken credit score can be an existential challenge. While credit bureaus, banks, and regulators tend to suggest that errors can be fixed and scores improved without the need for special expertise, especially low-income Americans and traditionally disadvantaged groups are struggling to keep up.
Yet, while there is growing awareness of the implications of scoring systems for social and economic inequality, little is still known about the experience of those who have to live with them:
- How do people make sense of and engage with scoring systems on a daily basis?
- What strategies and tactics do they use to improve their situation?
- What is the role of novel intermediaries like credit repair companies in this process?
Drawing on work in science & technology studies (STS), anthropology, sociology, and information science, this project traces the credit repair journeys of a small number of people in Upstate New York.
Volunteer
Are you concerned about your credit score? If you live in the NYS Finger Lakes region, consider registering as a volunteer for this research study (Cornell IRB #1803007880).
Publications
Ziewitz, M. and R. Singh (forthcoming). Critical Companionship: Some Sensibilities for Studying with Data Subjects. Big Data & Society.
In the News
ISS grants jump-start new social science research, Cornell Chronicle, January 10, 2018
Support
