Author: miturn2write

Championing Data Justice in Research and Beyond

“Why am I always being researched?” This poignant question reflects a deep-seated concern among racially, socially, economically or otherwise marginalized community members—a concern that speaks to power imbalances, privacy violations, and a lack of accountability in the realms of data and research which often extract knowledge in a way that reproduces harm. As FSU Libraries celebrate International Love Data Week, it’s imperative to explore how the concept of data justice can provide answers and solutions by understanding its significance as well as by weaving the concerns of marginalized communities into our discourses on fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and empowerment. In simple terms, data justice is a framework that seeks to rectify historical injustices and promote equitable practices in how data are gathered, stored, processed, and eventually disposed of by upholding ethical research practices that prioritize the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.

In addressing the concerns of marginalized communities, researchers and the institutions in which they are embedded must prioritize ethical research practices that respect privacy, consent, and autonomy. Typically researchers are trained or provided guidance on obtaining informed consent, protecting sensitive information, and mitigating potential harms associated with data collection and analysis. However, there is only a budding recognition that the humans who are treated as subjects of research should also have “data sovereignty,” or control over what happens to the data collected about them. Thus, data justice calls for inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of research—from data collection to analysis to dissemination.

Central to the principles of data justice is the idea of fostering meaningful engagement and listening to marginalized community members. Researchers must actively seek to involve community members in research initiatives, outreach programs, and knowledge-sharing activities in their study designs. This involves soliciting input from diverse stakeholders, listening to community concerns, and co-creating solutions that address the needs and priorities of those most affected by research endeavors. By fostering collaborative partnerships and centering community voices, we can promote social justice and equity in our data-driven world.

As researchers we must actively work towards dismantling barriers to research participation and representation, ensuring that marginalized voices are truly heard and genuinely respected. This involves collaborating with community organizations, fostering partnerships with various stakeholders, and advocating for equitable representation in academic or bureaucratic spaces. By championing diversity and inclusion, we contribute to the richness and robustness of academic discourse, advancing the principles of data justice within the university ecosystem and beyond.

At the heart of demands for data justice lies a recognition of power imbalances and the need to address systemic injustices in data practices. Researchers have a responsibility to confront these issues head-on, advocating for data sovereignty rights, supporting initiatives that empower marginalized communities, and scrutinizing institutional policies and practices that perpetuate inequities. By challenging existing power structures and promoting participatory decision-making in research, we all can pave the way for a more just and equitable data landscape—one that respects the knowledge, rights, and dignity of all individuals.

As we reflect on this year’s International Love Data Week theme of “That’s My Kind of Data,” let us heed the concerns of marginalized communities over the extractive nature of most research to reaffirm our commitment to data justice through equity and ethics. Through ethical research practices, fostering community engagement, inclusivity and diversity efforts, and addressing power imbalances, FSU researchers can serve as catalysts for positive change in the realm of all things data. By embracing the principles of fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and empowerment, we can uphold the values of data justice and work towards building a future where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Now that’s my kind of data.

By: Mila Turner, Social Science Data & Research Librarian

When Social Movements Collide: Open Access for Climate Justice

You’ve heard of climate change, but how familiar are you with the term climate justice? It’s the topic of the week since it’s the theme of International Open Access Week 2022, an occasion for challenging each other to raise awareness and take action on climate justice through the open and interdisciplinary sharing of data and resources. 

With hurricanes, heat waves, and forest fires appearing more regularly in our news cycle, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that the discussion of our changing climate is becoming a bigger part of our lives. As we better understand the enormous threat that climate change poses to our planet, we more desperately than ever need to also have a grasp on climate justice–the aspiration to have all people, regardless of personal or community characteristics, treated fairly when it comes to protection, risks, policies, and decision-making around the impacts of climate change. In other words, when it comes to our environment and the changes happening globally, we must strive to consider everyone, understand how they’ll be impacted differently, and make decisions fairly.

While the term may be new to some, in reality calls for climate justice have been ongoing for decades. In fact, climate justice was born out of the environmental justice movement and is related to other calls to treat people more equitably such as movements for racial or social justice. Why is this so important? We know from past catastrophes that people’s level of vulnerability can vary widely based on their personal circumstances or their community’s demographics. This is one aspect of climate change where data and Open Access become very important; we need the open sharing of knowledge in order to address this important social and environmental issue and ensure justice for all. But, who has access?  

Free, immediate, online access to the results of scholarly research on climate change and how various demographics and geographies are impacted would be a powerful tool to aid and equip the communities most at risk. Removing barriers to accessing climate research would also enable faster communication and better engagement of both the general public and policymakers on related societal issues. Instead of data being individually owned and only available to those who can afford to access it, the general public would have the right to use scientific research results as needed. The best examples of this have been projects attempting to map overburdened, at-risk communities by incorporating a wide range of data, going beyond looking at risk from a one dimensional geographical perspective. 

For example, check out the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Start by putting in the zip code of your hometown, and use it to have a look at the environmental and economic conditions of various communities. Then try exploring the area around FSU to familiarize yourself with the communities nearby and see how their issues compare to those in your hometown. 

Such tools are a great visual way to represent the combination of so much data. Use them as inspiration for starting conversations about climate change and/or justice. Climate Justice demands cross disciplinary collaboration, so campus forums like the Open Scholars Project could also serve as incubators for the climate action needed in our region and beyond. Through open information exchange and collaboration, we can create resources for understanding the needs of communities as well as non-human environments by evaluating their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Join together with your neighbors, campus groups, or local organizations to consider how best to take action to improve the resilience of communities where you live, study, work, or play. Whether that means volunteering, marching, donating, or joining, we need everyone’s contribution to make our communities more just and resilient in the face of climate change.

For more information about how the FSU Libraries supports open access, please visit our Research and Publishing web page here.

Author Bio: Mila S. Turner is the Social Science Data & Research Librarian at FSU Libraries and a broadly trained environmental sociologist. Her research spans diverse areas including how social inequalities intersect with environmental justice, racial equity, and natural disasters. Her thought leadership has been featured in The Hill, World War Zero, Quad Magazine, and more.