The ability to participate in economic activity, experience physical and mental well-being, access essential services and pursue the dignity of work are fundamental concerns around the world. Digital technologies have a varied and complicated relationship with these foundational aspects of life. In some regards, they have played a key role in facilitating and broadening accessibility and in other regards they have been coopted in eroding it. The specific issues differ according to geography and socio-economic status among others, but there is little doubt that digital technology is a throughline.

My colleagues and I are proud to have co-edited a special issue of MIS Quarterly on the theme of digital technology and social justice. As we received submissions from across the world, it was fascinating to learn the challenges and opportunities that are front-of-mind for research communities in various regions. The collection of papers we decided to publish in this special issue are but a small sample of the types of issues the research community is tackling. The purpose of the special issue is to serve as a catalyst for ongoing research in making sense of the challenges and devising a variety of solutions. Digital technology has tremendous capacity to address the big challenges of our day. My co-editors and I have articulated an agenda to guide future research on this subject. Importantly, we have advocated for a clear-eyed and thoughtful approach to tackling the issues; one that is mindful of the underlying tensions that must be navigated. I encourage anyone interested in this domain to read our introduction to the special issue.