University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Radical Numeracy: The Data Practices of Community Organizers

Saengsouvanna, Somphou; Crooks, Roderic

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132966

Description

Title
Radical Numeracy: The Data Practices of Community Organizers
Author(s)
  • Saengsouvanna, Somphou
  • Crooks, Roderic
Issue Date
2026-03-12
Keyword(s)
  • Community organizing
  • Data practices
  • Political theory
Abstract
Community organizing refers to grassroots activism that builds voice and political power in a minoritized community, i.e., a community bounded by interlocking forms of socially consequential difference. We employ a qualitative research design that draws on 80 semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis in the form of an iterative, consensus-based codebook. Organizers expressed what we call “radical numeracy,” an orientation toward data that discriminates based on how well a proposed action fits within a complex set of interpersonal relationships, community values, and political commitments. Radical numeracy allows organizers to adapt their broader struggles into tactical, strategic actions; describes a deeply confrontational style often employed to harass, shame, or expose bureaucrats or other representatives of the state; and demands a stance of refusal with respect to the creation, collection, or circulation of sensitive or potentially harmful data.
Publisher
iSchools
Series/Report Name or Number
iConference 2026 Proceedings
Type of Resource
Other
Genre of Resource
Conference Poster
Language
eng
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132966
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2026 is held by Somphou Saengsouvanna and Roderic Crooks. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

Owning Collections

iConference 2026 Posters PRIMARY
Posters presented at the 2026 iConference https://www.ischools.org/iconference