In this episode we talk to Ulises A. Mejias, of Communication Studies and the director of the Institute for Global Engagement at SUNY Oswego. Ulises is the co-founder of the Non-Aligned Technologies Movement and the network Tierra Común.
Ulises discusses his motivations behind developing the concept of data colonialism with Nick Couldry and their book The Costs of Connection: How Data is Colonizing Human Life and Appropriating it for Capitalism. Ulises also shares his work in Tierra Común, which unites activists, journalists, human rights defenders, academics and citizens who seek to decolonise data. The project focuses on creating spaces to share perspectives on data colonialism, as well as organise and build archives around events that seek to resist data colonialism. It seeks to build a network for Latin America and beyond. Ulises co-founded Tierra Común with Nick Couldry and Paola Ricaurte.
Ulises shares his experiences bridging Northern and Southern experiences and knowledge in his work. You can read about the principles guiding the Non-Aligned Tech Movement here.