instantTEA
What is instantTEA?
Instant TEA rapidly maps complex socio-technical systems using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and Assemblage Theory. It generates provisional, situational snapshots of policy and governance assemblagesātracing actors and connections in seconds, not weeks.
Unlike tools that imply finality, Instant TEA embraces ephemerality. It delivers quick, transparent insights into dynamic systems like global policy and governance, inviting deeper interpretation without the black box.
"instantTEA provides fast translations of complex assemblagesāwhile making explicit that these translations are provisional, situated, and incomplete."
From Text to Topology in 3 Steps
Instant TEA streamlines the complex process of Actor-Network Theory mapping.
- 1. Upload Documents
Drag and drop one or more policy documents (PDF, Docx). The system automatically extracts text and prepares it for analysis.
- 2. Select Your Lenses
Choose strict theoretical lenses (e.g., "Legitimacy", "Justification") to filter the analysis. Our AI traces actors and actants based on your specific framework.
- 3. Visualize & Export
Interact with the dynamic force-directed graph. Export your "Assemblage Snapshot" as a high-res PDF for your paper or presentation.
Theoretical Grounding
Why "Translational, Ephemeral Assemblages"?
Outputs are actively produced through processes of inscription, enrollment, and mobilizationānot neutral discoveries. instantTEA "translates" heterogeneous actors (human, non-human, material, discursive) into visible networks.
Emphasizes temporality, contingency, and decay. Assemblages are never fully stable. instantTEA's "instant" snapshots capture a moment, but they fade or evolveāencouraging users to revisit and iterate.
Retains the core focus on emergent wholes from heterogeneous parts, with capacities for expression, agency, and becoming. Keeps instantTEA grounded in relational ontologies.
Methodology
From Archive to Insight
A systematic approach to analyzing complex textual datasets through multiple theoretical lenses.
Introduction To instantTEA
A video exploration of the need for instantTEA.
- Data Ingestion
Upload PDFs, scrape web traces, and organize your primary sources. The system automatically extracts text and prepares it for analysis.
- AI-Powered Analysis
Apply specific theoretical lenses (Resistance, Cultural Framing, Institutional Logics) using advanced LLMs to extract structured insights.
- Network Synthesis
Visualize relationships between actors, concepts, and documents. Detect cultural holes and generate comparative reports.
Visualization
Mapping the Assemblage
Navigate fully interactive 3D and 2D graphs with clickable nodes and links to reveal hidden connections.
Community
Who uses instantTEA?
For Researchers & Scholars
Use instantTEA for initial tracing of actors in empirical studies, then layer with slower methods for full assemblage mapping.
For Practitioners & Activists
Quick counter-mapping of power relations (e.g., regulatory tensions in AI governance, platform monopolies). Ephemerality supports tactical interventions without claiming exhaustive truth.
For Educators & General Users
Accessible entry point to complex theoriesāgenerate a snapshot, then explore "what's missing" or "what could change."
Edge Cases & Nuances
Outputs may highlight fragile alliances or overlooked agencies, but users must remain attentive to situated biases (e.g., data sources, algorithmic inscriptions). Not for high-stakes decision-making without verification.
Trust, Ethics & Privacy
Built for critical research with a commitment to data sovereignty and transparency.
Uploaded documents are stored securely and are never used to train public AI models. You retain full ownership of your data. Files can be permanently deleted from our servers at any time.
Developed as part of academic research on using AI for critical analysis. This open-source tool is designed to reveal power structures, not reinforce them.
Still have questions?
Whether you need help with your account, have questions about the methodology, or want to discuss enterprise options, we're here to help.
Response time: Within 24 hours