Enabling Responsible Data Ecosystems to use Data for GoodThe GovLab and Mastercard hosted a workshop (which I had the pleasure of co-facilitating with JoAnn Stonier, Chief Data Officer at Mastercard) focused on establishing responsible data for social good practices on Sunday, September 15th, as part of the Bloomberg Data for Good Exchange. The workshop was attended by over 100 data scientists, social engineers, lawyers, consultants and other activists interested in utilizing data to solve societal problems and advancing work to solve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The workshop centered on data eco-systems, the needs of the various parties that contribute to the eco-system, related best practices, tools, and methodologies. Participants focused on identifying paths forward that would enable projects and initiatives to move work from individual, ad-hoc pilots to sustainable, responsible and systemic practices. Stefaan VerhulstSV_fbe336e8-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea00Co-Founder l Chief of Research and Development l R&D l Social Change l Impacting Governance through Data and InnovationJoAnn StonierCo-FacilitatorGovLabAs The GovLab has established throughout its work, data collaboratives are integral to using data for good.MastercardIn addition, Mastercard believes that data innovation must be balanced by responsible data practices.Data CollaborativesBut data collaboratives operate inside a larger ecosystem, with actors whose roles need to be better understood moving forward, among them:Data-Demand Actorsorganizations who identify the problem to be solved and demand access to data. These actors include NGOs, charities, academic researchers and other beneficiaries.Data Suppliersorganizations that possess the data to help solve the problem - such as data suppliers, enterprises that collect data and can provide information to the ecosystem, data scientists, and data engineers.Ecosystem Enablersactors who can help scale the responsible and sustainable use of data for social good - such as philanthropy, policymakers and technologists and civil service organizations.Workshop SupportersThanks to Andrew Young, Andrew Zahuranec, Alexandra Shaw, Eve Marenghi and Stephen Tubman at GovLab for their support in summarizing the workshop input.Andrew YoungAndrew ZahuranecAlexandra ShawEve MarenghiStephen TubmanSocietal problems are solved_fbe3386e-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea00To establish responsible data for social good practices _fbe339a4-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea00EngagementResponsibilityTrustExpertiseStandardizationCollaborationInvolvementEquityProactivityAccountabilityFeedbackData EcosystemAddress asymmetries and challenges among and between different types of actors of the data ecosystem._fbe33b0c-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea00Workshop Overview -- Asymmetries and challenges exist among and between different types of actors of the data ecosystem. For instance, actors who need data often lack capacity or a toolkit to articulate relevant data questions or use cases (academics are key in closing this gap). Supply actors, meanwhile, often lack the ability to handle regulatory, security and other requirements needed to address risks of providing data to solve social problems.A key objective of the workshop was to identify ways to address these challenges. Toward that end, participants broke into groups and discussed the questions below. Each group contained data-demand actors, data suppliers, and ecosystem enablers. In what follows, we share key takeaways from the workshop as they relate to these three central personas.DEMANDAddress the role of data-demand actors. _fbe33c10-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea001Data-Demand ActorsAmong the participants, there were several major takeaways as to the role of data-demand actors. DefinitionClearly define the demand for data._fbe33d1e-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea001.1Data Demand ActorsNeed for Well-Defined Demand -- First, most groups suggested that data demand actors—data users—clearly determine the scope of what’s going to happen with the data once they obtain it. Formulating good, targeted questions was integral to good data use. “We need to be transparent about why we are requesting data,” said one participant. “We are often so sure why we are asking for data but sometimes we forget how other people see the situation or how others might use the data.”Stakeholder EngagementIdentify the individuals affected by data collection and solicit their views._fbe33e2c-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea001.2A People-Centric Approach -- This concern connected with another common thread: citizen engagement. Several groups spoke about identifying the individuals affected by data collection and soliciting their views. Others spoke about developing data literacy skills among the general public and encouraging participation in data-driven projects, with participatory budgeting highlighted as one such model to achieve this goal.Many emphasized the need to be clear about intent and to use data as intended or find some way to ask new research questions retrospectively.“We cannot always understand how we want to use the data at the outset,” said JoAnn. “But when considering when to use data, it can be helpful to ask if it is congruent. If the initial question was about public health, it can probably be used for another public health question.”Representations & LimitationsUnderstand what the data represents and acknowledge its limitations._fbe33f3a-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea001.3Data-Demand ActorsData SuppliersParticipants also discussed how actors can improve data ecosystems. One such approach is making sure data-demand actors understand what the data represents and to acknowledge its limitations. “We need to communicate the strengths and weaknesses of the data, to come up with guidelines to help us understand how good our data is,” said one participant. “We need a nutrition label for data.”SUPPLYAddress the role of data suppliers._fbe3405c-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea002Data Suppliers The participants also spoke at length about the data suppliers, offering a multitude of suggestions for how these actors, including data stewards within companies in particular, could guarantee rights for data subjects, promote responsible innovation, and scale up success. These comments focused on end-to-end approaches to data responsibility and building trust across the data ecosystem.ResponsibilityClassify datasets by sensitivity and mitigate risks._fbe34174-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea002.1End-to-End Approach to Data Responsibility -- One group spoke about the importance of classifying datasets by sensitivity, creating different levels to govern data use. While considering local circumstances, participants called for global standards on privacy and security. The discussion noted different kinds of privacy-preserving work, such as anonymization and pseudo-anonymization. Other risk mitigation techniques also received attention. Groups spoke about data suppliers remaining cognizant of purpose limitation and data minimization to reduce the opportunities for malicious use. TrustDevelop codes of conduct and define methodologies for data sharing._fbe34296-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea002.2Building Trust Between Actors -- Still others encouraged suppliers to develop a “code of conduct” or defined methodology for data sharing, one that recognized the importance of clear standards, metrics, and contracts for data use. Actors at all stages of data collection, preparation, and use needed to be involved to build trust and coordination. Communication with other actors needed to become a policy of first resort.In reporting her thoughts, one participant said, “We need to come to an understanding of what can be shared and what cannot be shared. What kind of standards do we want to have on cybersecurity, legal obligations, or subject notification?”ENABLEMENTAddress the role of data enablers._fbe343b8-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea003Data Ecosystem EnablersLastly, several comments emerged from the discussion on ecosystem enablers. These organizations, which can take the form of data clinics such as DataKind, play an important role in the data pipeline. However, enablers faced challenges regarding variable rules and access structures depending on industry, geography, or use case. Resources & ExpertiseBridge gaps in resources and expertise._fbe344e4-069b-11ea-a6d6-21d92483ea003.1Bridging Gaps in Resources and ExpertiseStandardsDevelop international standards._2a569c66-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.1Advisory BoardsDevelop advisory boards to develop best practices on accountability and feedback._2a569dc4-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.2Advisory BoardsAside from developing international standards, one group recommended the development of advisory boards to develop best practices on accountability and feedback.CollaborativesCreate a global standard, vocabulary, and framework around data collaboratives._2a569ea0-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.3Data CollaborativesParticipants in the workshop noted that actors representing different actors and sectors could create a global standard, vocabulary, and framework around data collaboratives.Involvement & EquityInvolve the community and build equity into every step of the collaborative process._2a569fb8-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.4Institutional Review BoardsEthical Review BoardsA consortium of these actors could build equity into every step of the collaborative process, involving the community, and investing the necessary time and resources to create an equitable process around data and generate equitable outcomes. One participant called upon the model provided by Institutional Review Boards, bodies which authorize human-subject research at universities to mitigate risk.“Ethical review boards need to be explored further, but we need to take off our biases in regards to the United States and the rest of the world,” noted JoAnn. “We do not want to put people in other countries in jeopardy. Ethics and cultural norms need to be taken into account.”Match MakersMatch supply and demand._2a56a08a-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.5Multiple groups raised the possibility of a third-party enabler for matching supply and demand.Proactivity & ReviewsEnable independent groups to review and have a proactive role in data initiatives._2a56a15c-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.6Advisory BoardsData StewardsData TrustsAdvisory boards, data stewards, and data trusts can serve as independent groups to review and have a proactive role in data initiatives.Accountability & FeedbackEstablish accountability and provide feedback. _2a56a238-06f8-11ea-9423-3dc60983ea003.1.7Later on, they can help to establish accountability and provide feedback. “We need an independent, neutral space where we can encrypt and share data.” Said the representative of one group. “We need a place to facilitate data sharing and pair interested parties together, whether that be a physical or digital space.”2019-09-202019-11-14https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/enabling-responsible-data-ecosystems-use-good-stefaan-verhulst/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net