
Data for Justice
New speaker series explores the equitable use of data
In today’s digital age, data governs much our lives. It quietly influences many of our daily activities in ways we don’t often realize. From weather forecasts and financial transactions to healthcare delivery to personalized social media feeds, vast amounts of data are collected and analyzed daily to power algorithms, develop products and shape policies. This pervasive use of data has profound implications for society.
The concept of data justice places the collection, governance, and analysis of data in the context of social practices, knowledge frameworks, and power relations. It emphasizes that data practices must align with human rights values. Furthermore, data justice calls for data governance frameworks to be rooted in respectful relationships, recognition of Indigenous sovereignty, and critical examination of the structural and systemic conditions that inform how we think about, collect, steward and use data.
To promote the understanding and engagement with this important concept, the Office of Equity Transformation is launching the Data Justice series. This series will feature presentations and panel discussions on how data can be leveraged to identify systemic inequities and support actions that reduce barriers and narrow gaps for marginalized people. The Data Justice Series aims to spark meaningful conversations and encourage the UM community to critically explore the role of data in shaping a more equitable future.
“Data is essential to evidence-based decision making. Yet, there’s unequal power between data subjects, data aggregators, data analysts, data stewards, and data users, particularly in relation to marginalized communities. This means data can – and historically has – reinforced systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, and ableism,” says Dr. Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity). “However, data also can be a powerful tool to challenge and disrupt entrenched structures. I encourage UM community members to join us to learn more about data justice and the role of data in advancing equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity.”
Session 1: Anti-Ableism, Disaggregated Disability Data, and Data Justice
Panel presentation with members of the project team for the 2023 Dismantling Ableism Survey (DAS), including Tina Chen (Vice-Provost, Equity), Jennifer Dengate (Director, EDI Research and Projects, Office of Equity Transformation), and Cade Kuehl (DAS project coordinator and research assistant).
This panel will share how data justice approaches informed the methodologies and practices for the Dismantling Ableism Survey and highlight some of the ways in which institutional ableism is experienced by those with less noticeable disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Time: 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Location: 307 Tier Building (Fort Garry campus)
Session 2: Why Anti-Racism matters to data / Why data matters to Anti-Racism
Organized in partnership with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Vice-Dean, Indigenous Health, Social Justice and Anti-Racism and the Offices of Anti-Racism and Equity, Access and Participation, this session features invited guest Dr. Malinda S. Smith, Associate Vice-President Research (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) from the University of Calgary.
Dr. Smith will join Dr. Jillian Waruk (Public Health Epidemiologist, First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba) in a panel discussion about data collection, governance, and analysis in the context of social practices, knowledge frameworks, and power relations. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Delia Douglas (Director, Office of Anti-Racism, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences).
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: The Concourse Lounge, room 230, University College (220 Dysart Road)
Stay tuned for information on upcoming sessions in this series! Visit the Office of Equity Transformation’s Learning and Engagement webpage.