Screens and Streets: Digital Activism and the Power of Mobile Technology

In our increasingly connected world, mobile technology has become a pivotal tool for activism, transcending geographic and political boundaries. This talk explores the transformative role of mobile devices during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, highlighting how activists leveraged technology for organization, maintaining anonymity, and ensuring real-time communication. We will draw parallels with contemporary social movements in the United States to examine how digital tools enhance mobilization and impact. The discussion will also offer a preview of key themes from the upcoming course, 'Asian-American Tech Dynamics: Interfacing Cultures,' delving into how technology shapes cultural and social change across the Pacific. Join us to uncover the profound influence of mobile technology on global activism and its implications for future movements.

 

Jason Lau is the Richard Charles Lee Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for the Study of the United States and the Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the New School for Social Research, where he focused on the impact of digital technologies in Chinese society. His research, supported by the National Science Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation, among others, examines the transformative effects of smartphones and the mobile internet on governance, identity, and everyday life.

 

Dr. Lau previously taught at Parsons School of Design in New York, integrating social sciences, design, and technology into his courses. Committed to public engagement and influencing policy on digital wellness, he is dedicated to fostering dialogues that bridge academic insights with community and policy-making initiatives, thereby enhancing our understanding of global digital cultures.

 

Organized by the Undergraduate Society of American Studies and supported by the Centre for the Study of the United States and the Asian Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto.