Who we are

The Data Justice Research Centre, established in 2025, is an interdisciplinary research lab based in the Department of Communication, Media and Film (CMF) at the University of Calgary. The Centre is directed by Dr. Ali Karimi, an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Race, Justice, and Digital Media.

Our mission is to investigate data justice—a critical framework for understanding how information is collected, used, misused, and weaponized in ways that shape people’s lives. Our research examines how data systems can reproduce inequality, marginalize communities, and affect access to resources, representation, and visibility.

We ask questions such as:

• Who is included or excluded in the data that informs corporate decisions and public policies?

• How do digital systems replicate and reinforce historical injustices?

• What does accountability mean in an age of algorithmic governance and automated decision-making?

The Centre brings together scholars, students, and community members to critically examine the social, political, and ethical dimensions of data. We are committed to developing more equitable, transparent, and accountable approaches to data collection, use, and governance in our increasingly digital world.