Access to data is vital in tackling the big challenges we face – from the earlier discovery and treatment of disease, to reducing pollution in urban spaces. Data also has an important role to play in driving economic growth and recovery by supporting the creation of new technologies, products and services.
Responsible, trustworthy access to data doesn’t happen automatically. It is the result of people making decisions about who has access, for what purposes and to whose benefit. The Open Data Institute (ODI) recognises data institutions as organisations who collect, maintain and share – or steward – data towards public, educational or charitable aims.
The rise of data institutions
The ODI has been researching, advocating for and working with data institutions over the past two years, and has learnt a great deal about the role they already play in addressing some of society’s biggest challenges. Some data institutions – like Our Future Health – are designed to protect sensitive health data and make it available for new research and development. Others do the vital, behind-the-scenes job of building and maintaining infrastructure for their sectors; for example, by registering identifiers or publishing open standards. There are also new types of data institutions emerging to empower people to take a more active role in stewarding data about themselves, including data cooperatives, data unions and data trusts.
However, there is a long way to go: we need more data institutions, in different sectors and domains, if we are to realise the benefits of data and mitigate its potential harms.
Interactive online event
Join the ODI for a free interactive online event on Wednesday 30 March 2022 (14:00-18:00 BST) to find out more about how data institutions are driving us towards a future where data is used for positive economic, societal and environmental impact.
Find out more and how to book on the ODI website.