Crowdsourcing sensitive VGI: Constructing the hate incident reporting system

Gaps in hate crime and hate incident data are a major roadblock in increasing our understanding of the rising phenomenon of hate in the United States. In this paper, we reflect on the development of our geographically-integrated mobile application (the Hate Incident Reporting System) as an attempt to help close the gap in hate incident data. More broadly, we provide conceptual and methodological insights for working with sensitive Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) like hate incidents. We identify four key areas of attention in the process of developing digital tools for collecting sensitive VGI: i) participant motivation ii) data management and public research communication iii) accessibility iv) handling of geographic information and v) partnership with existing stakeholders. These factors are critical in the process of working with sensitive geographic data in an ethical fashion and ensuring maximum data reliability. Throughout each of these areas, the role of the ethical researcher stretches beyond academic research to accountability beyond academic research to accountability to participants in the form of tangible benefits.