Valuing lived experience and co-design solutions to counter racial inequality in data and algorithmic systems in UK’s digital services

Quyoum, A. and Wong, M. (2024) Valuing lived experience and co-design solutions to counter racial inequality in data and algorithmic systems in UK’s digital services. Information Communication and Society, (doi: 10.1080/1369118X.2024.2331781) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

In the United Kingdom, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the movement towards large-scale digitisation of everyday services: from healthcare, social housing, social security to utilities. However, what is lesser known are the vulnerabilities minoritised ethnic citizens face in datafication processes and how they are racialised within data and algorithmic systems of these services. Its potential to amplify systemic racism and inequalities is concerning yet under-studied, particularly in the UK context. This paper argues it is imperative to understand, and value, racialised minorities’ lived experience to inform and improve digital services’ design to be more inclusive and equitable. Drawing on qualitative interviews and workshops with individuals who identify as a minoritised ethnic individual across England and Scotland, we explore people’s lived experience of everyday digital services. The findings highlight issues related to trust, data privacy, and poorer quality access to services. Such experiences are shaped by the fears and lived experience of racism, both structural and institutional. This paper concludes the use of co-design methods can strengthen capacity amongst racialised communities and stakeholders to articulate where inequities are occurring, understand how to counter harm, and co-create solutions. We outline our case for a co-design approach to guide public and private sectors’ decision-making and policies, so digital services are equitable and responsible by design.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund under Grants EP/W03235X/1, EP/W032333/1, EP/W032341/1, EP/W032058/1, EP/W032082/1.
• Keywords: co-design, racial justice, digital services, lived experience, anti-racism.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Quyoum, Dr Aunam and Wong, Dr Mark
• Authors: Quyoum, A., and Wong, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Information Communication and Society
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1369-118X
• ISSN (Online): 1468-4462
• Published Online: 16 April 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Information Communication and Society 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
315643		PRIME: Protecting Minority Ethnic Community Online	Mark Tsun On Wong	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/W03235X/1	S & PS Public Policy