We have started assembling an open syllabus featuring resources on how to do data activism. It's a work in progress. Any suggestions for readings/activities/podcasts/etc are appreciated!
Open Syllabus – The Data Justice Hub
datajusticehub.ca
Chris Hurl
@churlishness.bsky.social
Concordia sociologist based in Montreal.
How are activists digging up data that exposes the breadth of ICE's digital dragnet and the complicity of Big Tech? See our new article, drawing from our book.
As ICE’s tech-enabled dragnet and surveillance expand, activists are fighting back with data of their own
Grassroots activists and marginalized communities are ‘flipping the script’ on surveillance by watching, documenting and gathering information about powerful institutions such as ICE from below.
theconversation.com
Mark Carney's made deep cuts to Natural Resources Canada that strip away science-based expertise on forest fires, "decimating capacity" to track wildfire activity. Only one forest pathologist now monitors the entire forestry system east of the Rockies. 5/ www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/05/n...
Cuts at Natural Resources Canada ‘decimate’ wildfire and flood tracking capacity, unions warn
Carney's cuts have hit Natural Resources Canada, causing uproar from public sector unions warning the layoffs will hurt Canada's ability to respond to cliamte change and protect Canadians from wildfir...
nationalobserver.com
A pipeline funded by…. you. This is a government pipeline with a mere 10% stake from private investment. And jobs? Last year 10k Albertan oil workers were laid off as production skyrocketed. Call it what it is — a handout for the dying fossil fuel industry.
Alberta pitches new bitumen pipeline route to B.C. coast with TMX, Pembina partners
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announce a preferred route and interested parties for a new bitumen pipeline to the B.C. coast.
ctvnews.ca
Just 0.2% of all millionaires moved to another country in 2024, but news outlets around the world spun this into a “millionaire exodus”. 11,000 news pieces were published in 2024 about an exodus that did not exist. #BogusExodus #TaxTheSuperRich bit.ly/43Al0EF
This is outrageous. When I hire KPMG to validate my priors I expect to receive the wildly overconfident lies of a 23 year old MBA, not those of some stinking robot.
Financial Times@financialtimes.com · 2mo agoKPMG report contained AI hallucinations on benefits of . . . AI ft.trib.al/Ef8zdYs
Angus Reid data shows 68% of Canadians want heavy regulation of AI, even if it slows development, and would oppose a large data centre planned near their home. The government is way offside with Canadians on this. Telling them to become “literate” isn’t going to work. angusreid.org/ai-regulatio...
The Department of National Defence quietly inked a $3.7-million contract last year with American data giant Palantir, newly released documents show. It’s the latest in what some experts see as the government’s deepening links to the controversial U.S. tech firm.
Ottawa’s latest deal with U.S. data giant Palantir raises warnings
The Department of National Defence quietly inked a $3.7-million contract last year with American data giant Palantir, newly released documents show.
thestar.com
This gathering on tech justice and data centre organizing was the most exciting political event I attended this year - so happy the content is now live. I loved being in conversation with the brilliant Jacinta González. Sneak peak reading from mine and @astra.bsky.social's new book!
MediaJustice@mediajustice.bsky.social · 3mo agoWe're LIVE right now! Come join the conversation between our Head of Programs, Jacinta González, and @naomiaklein.bsky.social, followed by a panel of on-the-ground organizers who are fighting data centers. streamyard.com/watch/ETqCBv...
Missed our book launch webinar on April 30th? The recording is now available. Tune in to learn how activists are mobilizing data in the age of Trump: youtu.be/b1OJXFpXDyI
Data Activism in the Age of Trump
YouTube video by Data Justice Hub
youtu.be
A great interview with Börries Nehe, who also recently joined us for our podcast - Mobilizing Data for Justice. Börries recently put together a book documenting how people are using arts-based practices to challenge growing authoritarianism around the world.
Data Justice Hub@datajusticehub.bsky.social · 3mo agoAlongside Paul Schweizer from kollektiv orangotango, Börries Nehe is one of the activists we interviewed for our recent podcast on countering authoritarianism through artistic practices. The podcast is available on Spotify and other major platforms. irgac.org/articles/art...
Very excited to see that our book has now been translated into Japanese.
As predicted, so much for the federal gas tax cut. 😡 The oil companies just hoovered that up, thank you very much. The gas tax cut ended up being a straight transfer from the public to bursting oil and gas company profits: vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/04/27/f...
Gas prices rise to pre-fuel tax suspension heights in Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver drivers may notice gas prices have jumped again Monday morning.
vancouver.citynews.ca
A Canadian making $70k a year will save $11 a month. This will reduce contributions to the plan by $3 billion. A year. I can't even fathom the thinking that went into this. Carney keeps doing these tax breaks that don't do shit for individuals but cost the government billions. It's pathological.
Toronto Star@thestar.com · 3mo agoCanadians will see a small break on their paycheques come January as Canadian Pension Plan contributions decrease slightly.
6/ Prime Minister Carney’s approach is to seed the fund with public money to subsidize big private projects. In other words, Norway uses industry profits to support the public good. Prime Minister Carney’s fund uses public money to support private profits.
Norway Sovereign Wealth Fund captures resource rents to build a diverse and stable economy that increases wealth for present and future generations. The "Canada Strong Fund" works the other way around. Capture citizen wealth to increase dependence on resource projects. rabble.ca/economy/stap...
The Staple Theory at 50: The staple theory and the carbon trap
As part of our continuing special series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publication of Mel Watkins' classic article, "A Staple Theory of Economic Development," we present here an innovative a...
rabble.ca
How are activists creatively engaging with data in challenging authoritarianism? Our book launch webinar, happening tomorrow, 1:30pm (EDT), will feature activists doing some great work on this. Check it out!
Data Justice Hub@datajusticehub.bsky.social · 3mo agoLive webinar TOMORROW! Join us to hear from four activists who are using data in creative ways to navigate a complex landscape of rising authoritarianism, rapid advances in AI, and the expansion of surveillance infrastructures. REGISTER HERE: tinyurl.com/bdz7pxpc
Perfect case of what we termed academic content assetization in a recent paper, where HE institutions use their learning platforms to gather teaching materials from staff to then repurpose as future revenue-generating derivative products
Chris Hanlon@chrishanlon.bsky.social · 4mo agoMeet “ASU Atomic,” a subscription platform that claims to offer customized learning modules for fee-paying users. None of the ASU faculty whose course materials were harvested for the module I generated were aware that their image, lectures, lessons, or other teaching materials are being used.
Jacinta González from @mediajustice.bsky.social has been sharing important findings about Palantir's role in US deportations and will be one of the presenters at our April 28th webinar, Data Activism in the Age of Trump. Register here: www.concordia.ca/cuevents/art...
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
Petra Molnar from @refugeelab.ca will be presenting at our April 28th Webinar. Petra is the author of The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, 2024 Finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award and a CBC Book of the Year. datajusticehub.ca/event/data-a...
Data Activism in the Age of Trump – The Data Justice Hub
datajusticehub.ca
Next Tuesday: We'll be featuring four activists interviewed for our new book. Join this webinar to learn how they are exposing landlord power, revealing connections between Trump and Big Tech, and promoting algorithmic justice. Register here: www.concordia.ca/cuevents/art...
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
Next week: hear how activists are creatively engaging with data to challenge authoritarianism.
@caijuwinnipeg.bsky.social · 4mo agoData Activism in the Age of Trump Tuesday, April 28, 1:30pm (EST) / 12:30pm Winnipeg start time On Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Speakers: *Jacinta Gonzalez, MediaJustice *Munira Lokhandwala, LittleSis *Erin McElroy, Anti-Eviction Mapping Project *Petra Molnar, Refugee Law Lab
Remembering the protests against the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) in Quebec City exactly 25 years ago.
Munira Lokhandwala from @mapthepower.bsky.social will be speaking about power mapping as part of our book launch webinar "Data Activism in the Age of Trump". Register below.
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
LittleSis@mapthepower.bsky.social · 4mo agoAlong with the many examples of unchecked billionaire power this tax day, there is also a growing fightback against this billionaire takeover. Check out the LittleSis Guide to Exposing the Billionaires in Your Backyard to learn more: littlesis.org/reports/ever...
@erinmcel.bsky.social , co-founder of the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project and author of Silicon Valley Imperialism, will be speaking as a part of our Data Activism in the Age of Trump webinar on April 28. Register at the link below.
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
Erin McElroy@erinmcel.bsky.social · 4mo agoThank you so so much to @muybarra.bsky.social, @desireefields.bsky.social, @liviu-chelcea.bsky.social, Ananya Roy, and Magie Ramirez for their generous reflections on Silicon Valley Imperialism! @dukepress.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/2325...
@petramolnar.com , author of "The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" (2024), a Governor General's Literary Award finalist, will be speaking as a part of our data activism webinar next week. Register at the link below.
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
Petra Molnar@petramolnar.com · 2y agoMy first book is called "The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of AI." Based on 6 years of work from Mexico to Greece to Palestine, it shares stories of people hurt by #bordertech More info: thenewpress.com/books/walls-... Some photos: www.petramolnar.com/the-walls-ha... 💙📚 #booksky
How are activists engaging with data to challenge authoritarianism? Check out our webinar coming up next week!
@caijuwinnipeg.bsky.social · 4mo agoData Activism in the Age of Trump Tuesday, April 28, 1:30pm (EST) / 12:30pm Winnipeg start time On Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Speakers: *Jacinta Gonzalez, MediaJustice *Munira Lokhandwala, LittleSis *Erin McElroy, Anti-Eviction Mapping Project *Petra Molnar, Refugee Law Lab
Jacinta Gonzalez, who will be speaking at our webinar, has been doing powerful work exposing the connections between the Trump regime and big tech. You can register for it here: www.concordia.ca/cuevents/art...
Data Activism in the Age of Trump | Events - Concordia University
concordia.ca
The Denver Post@denverpost.com · 6mo agoThe largest recipient of donations from Palantir employees and the company’s PAC "are PAC’s set up to support Trump, according to OpenSecrets," Jacinta Gonzalez writes in this opinion piece. "All you have to do to is follow the money."