Bridging the Data Divide: Citizen-Generated Knowledge and Its Path Through Digital Society

The flow of information and knowledge to and from citizens forms the backbone of a healthy democracy, ensuring transparency, accountability, and active public participation in democratic processes. This panel delves into the intricate processes of data creation and the flow of information between various societal structures, such as netizens, government institutions, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
The panel will explore how the data is created by citizens. Non-state actors—such as academia and NGOs— often act as intermediaries who collect, shape, and mediate data about citizens, influencing the scope and nature of this data. By reflecting on the roles of these intermediaries, the panel will consider the extent to which citizens are given space to engage in knowledge creation, and how these processes affect transparency, power dynamics, and agency. At the same time, the panel will feature papers that examine the data and knowledge creation at the local community level, focusing on data generated directly by citizens without the mediation of other actors. This grassroots data production raises important questions about the authenticity, ownership, and use of this information in the decision-making processes that impact local communities.
At the same time, the panel will reflect on the broader flow of digital data and knowledge, addressing the dynamics of information exchange between state and non-state actors, and between governments and citizens. Presentations will provide case studies on how citizen-generated data, with or without intermediaries, is utilized, as well as how governments communicate and disseminate knowledge back to citizens. Through these diverse perspectives, the panel will shed light on the challenges, opportunities, and power imbalances inherent in the modern data landscape.