Data activism refers to the practices of data activists that involve both civic engagement and political action as a proactive response to the uneven distribution of data access and capabilities in datafied times (Baack, 2015; Milan & Velden, 2016).
Data activism uses the production and collection of digital, volunteered, and open data to challenge existing power relations. It uses digital technology and data to promote political engagement and proactively foster social change.
Data activism “seeks to challenge… and to mobilize data in order to enhance social justice” (Kennedy, 2018, p. 18) recognizing that more just practices can be promoted in the place of dominant ones (Dencik, 2018).
When combined with social and political activism, data activism can contribute to improved communities. That’s because data activism provides information and data trends that reflect the desires and interests of the local community.