Liberatory Computing & the Data Activism Program
Computing curricula that motivates and equips students—particularly African American youth—with practical skills to challenge racism and systemic inequity through data, storytelling, and collective action.
About
The underrepresentation of minoritized groups, particularly African Americans, is the longstanding reality of computing fields. Computing has the opportunity to change the world and is increasingly being incorporated into our daily lives. Computing classes discuss computing as abstract, neutral, utopian and unable to cause harm.
While everyone needs to be part of the process of ending a multi-layered system of barriers, we focus specifically on why this goal is of particular relevance to African American students. We highlight El-Amin's "liberation tools," which state how a sound racial identity, critical consciousness, liberation-centered achievement identity, collective obligation, along with activism skills are essential to preparing African Americans to "fight for" racial liberation.
Given that computing classes teach students critical thinking skills to solve complicated problems, we argue that computing is well-positioned to incorporate "liberation tools". They teach students how to think in terms of systems, which is essential for racial liberation. By expanding the liberation tools, we coin the term, "liberatory computing", to reveal how computing curricula can motivate and provide African American students with practical skills to address the racism embedded in society.
Data Activism Program
A collaborative research and learning experience that brings together high school students, community partners, and researchers to challenge systemic injustice through data.
About the Program
The Data Activism Research Study aims to teach African American high school students in Boston and Cambridge to use computer programming, data science, and art to challenge power inequalities, such as racism. Additionally, the high school students will collaborate with community organizations on their projects that require data analysis.
Community partners and students will be part of every aspect of the research project, such as conducting background research about a specific example of systemic racism, finding a data set, and implementing a data analysis. Raechel’s research study will evaluate how African American students progress in various liberatory computing tools, such as fostering a sound racial identity, developing critical consciousness, cultivating a liberation-centered academic identity, and honing activism skills.
Overall, the project will introduce students to critical thinking and teach them the computer programming skills required to challenge social injustice. If you’re interested in learning about the summer data activism class that was taught in 2022, please read this MIT News article. Additionally, if you would like to see the summer data activism student projects in more detail, here is a link to a brochure of their work for your review.
Also, please watch the video below about the data activism program:
- Ocean Acidification Group
- Vera Institute of Justice
- AfroPink
- Algorithmic Justice League
- Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) – Addressing Racial Disparities in Inland Flooding in Boston
- Food Link – Analyzing Food Insecurity in the Greater Boston Area
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston – Voices of Boston
Program Components
- Foundation Workshops: Critical data literacy, research ethics, and community engagement principles
- Technical Training: Hands-on sessions with data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization tools
- Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from experienced data activists and researchers
- Collaborative Projects: Team-based work on real community data challenges
- Network Building: Connection with like-minded activists and ongoing community of practice
- Resource Access: Datasets, software licenses, and technical support for ongoing projects
Student Project - Algorithmic Justice League
Contact
Interested in collaboration, research partnerships, or bringing the Data Activism curriculum to your community?