Paper short abstract:

Initiatives and organisations across the globe are interrogating the sociotechnical structures and practices that underline data injustices. This paper explores the trends identified in over 100 case studies of data justice advocacy and activist work as well as associated challenges to data justice.

Paper long abstract:

Data-intensive technologies are profoundly impacting our societies in multiple and interconnected dimensions. Whilst scholars have addressed current injustices derived from data collection, governance, and use, initiatives and organisations across the globe are interrogating the sociotechnical structures and practices that underline these injustices; not only evidencing transformational movements but also emphasising that data justice is contextually determined. Understanding data justice from a broad and inclusive perspective requires examining the empirical challenges identified by communities impacted by datafication, the transformational practices of data activists, and the institutionalised forms of counterpressure developed by organisations advancing data rights and justice.

To contribute to this goal, we constructed a repository of over 100 case studies that illustrate instances of data justice advocacy and activist work as well as cases of associated challenges to data justice. The repository highlights an ecosystem of lived experiences that are shaping the imaginaries of data collection, governance, and use. The proposed paper will explore the trends identified in the repository, in terms of the themes that the challenges and transformational cases relate to, the pillars of data justice they address, the affected people and communities, the types of actions taken – e.g., education, litigation, policy development, research –, and the paths organisations followed to integrate data justice into their work. The case studies illustrate how affected communities, activists, and organisations across the world seek to appropriate technology and set an agenda of data justice that considers their needs, contexts, and aspirations.