Who Collects the Data? A Tale of Three Maps

Abstract

Who makes maps and who gets mapped? Using a comparative reading of three maps, this case study introduces the idea that data may be useful, but they are not neutral. Rather, they represent the interests and goals of the groups and institutions that are doing the data collection. These interests and goals may be liberatory, discriminatory, or something in between. In all cases, we argue that an analysis of social inequality is essential to understanding the ethical impacts of data collection and use. To aid such analysis, we introduce a model of power out of sociology called the matrix of domination. This model helps us understand why collecting data is political, why not collecting data is also political, and what actions we can take to address unequal social relations using data science.