Open AccessPromoting Representation Through Data: The Case For More Comprehensive Ethnicity Data In Australia
Author(s) -
Liz Allen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
law in context
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1839-4183
pISSN - 0811-5796
DOI - 10.26826/law-in-context.v37i2.144
Subject(s) - project commissioning , ethnic group , multiculturalism , diversity (politics) , representation (politics) , publishing , data collection , data science , sociology , public relations , social science , computer science , political science , law , anthropology , pedagogy , politics
What if data used to inform knowledge is incomplete or false, leading to misunderstandings about the social world? In Australia, what is known about ethnic diversity is based on an outdated definition and inadequate measure of multiculturalism. This article explores how gaps in data can lead to and further entrench disempowerment. Using a sociodemographic approach, this paper examines the ways in which data can create and maintain poor representation; via collection, analysis and infrastructure. This paper demonstrates that what is counted matters for equality, and lays out what is necessary to help promote ethnic diversity through data collection.