#MoreThanCode
Project Brief
A participatory action research project reimagining the landscape of technology for justice and equity.
After two years of research, the Technology for Social Justice Project (T4SJ) released in August
2018 a new report, #MoreThanCode: Practitioners Reimagine the landscape of technology
for justice and equity. #MoreThanCode is a participatory action research report based on
interviews, focus groups, and data analysis with 188 tech practitioners from across the U.S.A.
The report explores the current ecosystem and demographics; practitioner experiences; visions and
values; documents stories of success and failure; and provides key recommendations for the future of
the field. We hope our findings and recommendations will be useful to all those who want to use technology
to make a more just and equitable world.
Key recommendations include:
- Nothing About Us Without Us: Adopt Co-Design Methods and Concrete Community Accountability Mechanisms;
- From Silver Bullets to Useful Tools: Change the Narrative, Lead with Values, and Recognize Multiple Frames and Terms Across the Ecosystem;
- #RealDiversityNumbers: Adopt proven strategies for diversity and inclusion;
- Developers, Developers, Developers? Recognize Different Roles and Expertise in Tech Work, and Support Alternative Pathways to Participation;
- Coops, Collectives, and Networks, Oh My! Support Alternative Models Beyond Startups, Government Offices, and Incorporated Nonprofits.
The project is co-led by Research Action Design (RAD.cat) and the Open Technology Institute at New America (newamerica.org/oti), together with research partners Upturn, Media Mobilizing Project, Coworker.org, Hack the Hood, May First/People Link, Palante Technology Cooperative, Vulpine Blue, and The Engine Room.
#MoreThanCode: Practitioners Reimagine the landscape of technology for justice and equity. Get it now at: https://morethancode.cc!
