Arely Cruz-Santiago

Dr Arely Cruz-Santiago is Co-Investigator in the ESRC transformative research project ‘Data Justice in Mexico’s Multiveillant Society which explores citizen-led strategies to tackle inherent asymmetries in current practices of data governance. Particularly as it relates to security and the digitisation of working life. Her research agenda sits at the forefront of social studies of science and human geography.

Prior to this position, she held an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Geography Department at Durham University, where she also completed her PhD in 2017. Her postdoctoral fellowship 'Forensic Citizens: The Politics of Searching for Disappeared Persons' analysed citizen-led forms of forensic governance in contexts of protracted conflict (e.g. Colombia and Mexico). For the last seven years, Arely has examined grass-roots forensic practices such as the collection of DNA data, the analysis of victims’ records, the use of GPS, CCTV images and drones to aid in the location of clandestine burial sites.

In 2018-19 she was Project Manager on the ESRC/GCRF Strategic Network on Unacceptable Forms of Work at Durham Law School and continues to work in novel law-centred initiatives to secure decent work for domestic workers in Mexico with a focus on the rapid digitisation of the sector and the challenges it poses for labour/data justice.