The Data Justice Research Centre (est. 2025) is an interdisciplinary lab at the University of Calgary dedicated to studying the relationship between technology and power. Directed by Dr. Ali Karimi, Canada Research Chair in Race, Justice, and Digital Media, the Centre examines the politics of data through a social justice lens.
Our work is grounded in the concept of data justice: a critical framework for understanding how data is collected, used, and, at times, misused in ways that impact people’s lives. We investigate how data systems, for example, can reproduce inequality, marginalize communities, and restrict access to resources, services, and representation.
We explore questions such as:
- Who is included, or excluded, in the data that informs decisions and shapes public policy?
- How do digital systems replicate or reinforce historical injustices?
- What does accountability look like in an age of algorithmic governance and automated decision-making?
The Centre brings together scholars, students, and community members to critically engage with the social, political, and ethical dimensions of data systems. We are committed to advancing more equitable and accountable approaches to data collection, use, and governance in an increasingly digital world.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons