Open data for science and society

Introduction to Data Ethics

Shalini Kurapati, PhD

Co-founder and CEO, Clearbox AI

Why open up data?

  • Data ethics discussion are around privacy
  • Collaborative nature of innovation
  • Benefits to science, innovation, economy and society
  • Opportunities and challenges
Introduction to Data Ethics

In scientific research

  • Scientific articles often don't provide data
  • Verification of results
  • Reproducible research and generalization
  • Advancement of the scientific endeavor
  • Push for open data
  • Data for others to reuse, public funding

A cartoon of two scientists explaining complicated math equations by saying, then a miracle occurs.

1 Cartoon source: Sidney Harris in American Scientist, Nov-Dec 1977
Introduction to Data Ethics

Inclusive and equitable science

  • More exposure and impact of scientific outputs
  • Practitioners and policy makers can adopt findings
  • Value for money for taxpayer, research funding
  • Public engagement, citizen science
  • Researchers in developing countries can benefit

Illustration of the various benefits of opening up research data.

1 Image source: Danny Kingsley and Sarah Brown under a CC BY license
Introduction to Data Ethics

Open government data

  • Transparency, value creation- data as a common good
  • Large volumes of data
  • Reuse of data to enhance business creation, innovation
  • Citizen engagement and citizen-centric services

OECD graph on open data availability, accessibility, and reuse of government data.

1 https://www.oecd.org/gov/digital-government/policy-paper-ourdata-index-2019.htm
Introduction to Data Ethics

Success stories

Business based on open data

  • ApplyBoard, Canadian company
  • Online platform for international student recruitment
  • Open data on student visa processing times

Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition

  • Agricultural and nutritional data to be available, accessible, usable and unrestricted
    • Land-use and productivity data
    • Hydrological, soil data
    • Pest and disease management
  • Eradicate hunger, food security, sustainable agriculture
1 https://www.godan.info/agriculture 2 https://open.canada.ca/en/story/applyboard
Introduction to Data Ethics

Work in progress

  • FAIR- Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, resource intensive
  • Data quality, bias
  • Data privacy, data ownership
  • Attitude and cultural shift
Introduction to Data Ethics

Let's practice!

Introduction to Data Ethics

Preparing Video For Download...