EPISODE 131 — Race-based Bias and Data

On this episode, we look at how bias in data gathering can impact representation of communities. Our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, speaks with three incredible community members with experience in data research, urban planning and activism.

ECF has been exploring the history of racism in this year’s Vital Signs topic. Vital Signs is a check-up to see how the community is fairing on various issues. This work is done in collaboration with Edmonton Social Planning Council and with guidance from a dedicated committee made of people with lived experience.

Through this work, the Committee working on this project learned that there are still many people and communities who are not included in a meaningful way through typical data gathering processes.  These gaps can leave people feeling unheard and unseen.

Links:
Check out Edmonton Social Planning Council’s report, Confronting Racism with Data: Why Canada Needs Disaggregated Race-Based Data. 
Listen to Scratching the Surface to learn more about the history of racism in Alberta.
Read our Vital Topic: A look at the history of
Racism towards Indigenous & People of Colour in Edmonton.
Find out more about our wonderful guests:
Sydny Sheloff, the Strategic Research Coordinator at Edmonton Social Planning Council
Lucenia Ortiz, former planner with the City of Edmonton
Adora Nwofor, activist, writer, comedian and producer in Calgary.