Prof. Andrea Saltelli Ph.D. – Composite Indicators: Lights and Shadows

Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen, Norway

There are indeed no lack of good reasons for and against composite indicators, and innumerable theories are available for their construction. These measures have a strong normative dimension – they ultimately aim to ‘tell a story’, e.g. to promote the social discovery of a particular phenomenon, as well as to suggest or impose a particular view about it. Since all numbers are performative – also composite indicators affect the reality they aim to measure. In some cases this can lead to what some observers denote as serious damage – see e.g. the ranking of higher education.

Is a more prudent and inclusive use of a composite indicator possible? We explore some avenues for a more ethical and participatory use of these measures, making reference to concepts such as quantitative storytelling, sensitivity auditing and extended peer communities.