w6
This post is a summary of the past two weeks. From now on, I will probably post in the form of a timeline of events that have influenced the project in various ways. I’m so sorry for the somewhat dry way of blogging, but I think it’s the only sustainable way for me to stay accountable for the planning process.
- 12/10: After the first supervision meeting, I was super excited about continuing on topics of data gaps, albeit not a “new” idea; exploring issues around them here in the UK could be a way to make it original and impactful. On the same day, I was linked with data for children by Vlada from the EFI project group. I was buzzing to get started.
- 13th/10 I continued Vlada’s email thread, where she linked me with Fraser (from DfC) with an introduction and an inquiry about how/when we could discuss the potential project.
- 17-18/10 The coming week, I had my intensive days for Coloniality of Data.
- These days have left me with a lot to think about regarding data, power, knowledge, culture, and how I want to approach the project if I would work with data gaps or quantifiable data of populations. Here are some questions and concerns I’ve had since those days:
- Is working with quantifiable data ever not prolonging colonial logic, especially when using population data?
- Should we ever try to fill data gaps when the mere data collection on population is colonial?
- How do I think about the questions above when the project primarily involves vulnerable groups in society?
- These days have left me with a lot to think about regarding data, power, knowledge, culture, and how I want to approach the project if I would work with data gaps or quantifiable data of populations. Here are some questions and concerns I’ve had since those days:
- Week 5 generally: I’ve experienced significant cognitive dissonance in studying Data for Insights in parallel with Coloniality of Data as DFI teaches us data analysis opportunities with statistical measures, and the COD argues for the harms and fallacies of that very epistemology produce from a decolonial perspective.
- 18/10 I sent a second email to Fraser, as the one I sent on the 13th wasn’t responded to.
- 26/10 I still haven’t gotten an answer, and I’m not keen to chase more, so I’ve been speaking with Vlada about other potential partners. So far, Improvement Service looks exciting but quite different from what I’ve previously thought my project would be about. Due to four intensive days this week, I’ve had little to no time to explore their work, but I will take time this weekend. Reasons why I’m drawn to them:
- Local impact
- Learning new things about planning policies and performance indicators
- Gaining organisational experience, and with an organisation that has a direct connection to the Scottish Government
Hi Cajsa— This post actually reads like quite an effective way to show how learnings layer upon each other! It’s so interesting to read about how the different courses approach data in such different ways. I’m glad you’re taking the coloniality of data seriously, and I think your impulse to focus on qualitative data (in your next post) is a good one. Once you have pinned down a context for your project (I assume you’re still in discussions with potential partners), it might also be interesting to see what alternative forms of data are in those communities. Much decolonial and feminist data work tries to understand these informational forms (not usually recognised by external logics as ‘data’) and amplify their prioritisation and voice (so to speak).