Data Feminism Network Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, the DFN team discusses Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin. We unpack examples where technology and automation yields unfair, inequitable outcomes. 

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to support the author by purchasing the book. 

Follow @ruha9 on twitter, check out her website, and her new book Viral Justice. 

In this episode, Ali and Simran discuss Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. We unpack a different type of book than in previous episodes, discussing the intersection of Indigenous wisdom and science to inspire ecological awareness and reciprocal relationships with land. 

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to support the author by purchasing the book. 

For more information, check out Robin Wall Kimmerer's website. 

We are joined by the brilliant Amanda Austin, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Equal Measures 2030. Amanda manages global, regional, and national-level advocacy and policy positioning on behalf of Equal Measures 2030, where she works with their partners to connect data and evidence with advocacy and action on gender equality.

In this episode, we explore some of the biggest challenges faced by feminist organizations in using data to drive their advocacy efforts, opportunities presented by citizen-generated data, and actions stakeholders can take to support data-driven feminist movements. 

We are joined by co-author of Data Feminism Lauren F. Klein. Data Feminism presents a new way of thinking about data science and ethics - one that is informed by intersectional feminist thought. Today, data science is a form of power. It has been used to expose injustice, improve health outcomes, and topple governments. But it has also been used to discriminate, police, and surveil. This potential for good, on the one hand, and harm, on the other, makes it essential to ask: Data science by whom? Data science for whom? Data science with whose interests in mind?

In this episode, Lauren talks about her background, walks us through the writing process, and provides advice on how to implement the principles of data feminism.

FREE Data Feminism book access 

Follow: @laurenfklein

Data Do No Harm Guide

We are joined by Anita Raj, Mallika Dehingia, and Arnab Dey from the Center on Gender Equity and Health at UC San Diego.

In this episode, we discuss the trio's series of briefs on "Big Data and Gender in the Age of COVID-19" and explore how big data - such as Twitter data and Google Trends - can help fill gaps in traditional data collection and provide unique insights into a range of issues affecting women and girls.

Big Data and Gender in the Age of COVID-19

We are joined by the fantastic Nobukhosi Dlamini. Nobukhosi is the founder of Bahati Tech, a data protection and cybersecurity company, as well as the founder of the Girls in FinTech (or GIFT) Foundation, which mentors and encourages young girls from informal settlements in Cape Town to pursue careers in the FinTech sector.

In this episode, we discuss how to encourage women and girls to join and remain in male-dominated STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) industries.

In this episode, Ali and Jade reflect on DFN's three-part Data Feminism Book Club Series, hosted in collaboration with Toronto Womxn in Data Science. This episode serves as a recap, for those of you who weren't able to attend the event live, and a reflection, for those of you who did attend but want to dive deeper. We feature snippets of our Q&A with co-author Lauren F. Klein and comments from our partner, Kishawna, Founder and Executive Director of Toronto Womxn in Data Science.

FREE Data Feminism Study Guide 

Data collection, femicides and policy change: Lessons from Mexico (Article by Brenda González)

Follow: @laurenfklein 

Follow: @WomxnDSTO 

We are joined by the wonderful Naomi Nyamweya. Naomi is the Research Officer for Malala Fund where she conducts data-driven research and policy analysis to support Malala Fund’s advocacy for girls’ education. She’s also taken on an advisory role at DFN as one of our board members as she’s passionate about bringing more women and minorities into the world of data.

In this episode, we introduce the principles of data feminism, illustrate how standard practices in data science reinforce existing inequalities, and explores how we can leverage data to challenge and change unequal distributions of power.

We are joined by Neeraja Penumetcha. Neeraja is the Senior Manager of Programs and Operations at Data2X. Data2x is housed by the United Nations and dedicated to improving the quality, availability and use of gender data in order to make a practical difference in the lives of women and girls around the world.

In this episode, we discuss the past, present, and future of gender data and its role in creating a more just and equitable society.

If you're keen to learn more about gender data, the connection between data and policy, and gender data gaps, this episode is for you!

In this episode, our Founder, Ali Dunn, and Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jade Greer, share the story behind the founding of Data Feminism Network. From inception to present, this episode unpacks how and why we built the DFN community. You'll learn a bit about us; what inspires us, what excites us, and why we do what we do.