02 - Feminist Perspectives in Data & Information Science - Frank  

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Feminist Perspectives in Data & Information Science
Prof. Rebecca D. Frank, Ph.D. (she/her)
School of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville



Data and information are never neutral. Although data & information science practices have historically focused on providing access to information for all, information products and practices often reflect the viewpoints of their creators, and therefore do not meet the needs of all users. The needs of marginalized communities are often not taken into consideration by those who create and maintain data and information infrastructures and technologies. Drawing upon experiences from workshops and interactive sessions hosted at the Berlin School of Library and Information Science, KI-Camp, and the Women in Data Science Conference on the topic of data feminism, this presentation address will discuss some examples demonstrating the ways in which feminist perspectives address critical issues in data and information science. Arguing that inclusive feminist practices strengthen the fields of data and information science, this talk will advocate for the inclusion of diverse intersectional perspectives in education, research, and practice in data and information disciplines.