UG project Data Autonomy at Beyond Data Protection Conference 2023

The UG's data autonomy project was represented by Oskar Gstrein during the Beyond Data Protection Conference 2023 on 21 and 22 September. The conference in Utrecht focussed on regulating information and protection against risks of the Digital Society.

During the session about data autonomy, participants were invited to explore the complex interaction between academic freedom and the affordances of data infrastructures used in education and research, as well as the notions of data sovereignty and data autonomy in academic settings.

Data autonomy in the academic community

On behalf of the UG, Dr. Oskar Gstrein (Assistant Professor at the Department of Governance and Innovation at Campus Fryslân) gave a presentation on the university's data autonomy project. Kristina Irion, Associate Professor at the Institute for Information Law at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), provided an overview of data sovereignty at the UvA. Wladimir Mufty, Program manager Public Values at SURF (collaborative organisation for IT in Dutch education and research), spoke about public values at this institution and the questions surrounding it.

Discussion

The following questions were discussed in break-out groups:

• How can we provide students with an environment that fosters individual learning, personal growth, and the freedom to fail learning, without subjecting them to lifelong data profiling and tracking ('cut the data trail')?
• How can we, as an academic community, retain a significant stake in shaping public interest-oriented scientific research practices that are driven by the curiosity and talent of independent academics rather than the interests of (Big) technology companies?
• How can we use datafication in academic settings to support progressive approaches to social justice and diversity?

Roadmap to Data Autonomy

The CIT has started the discussion to investigate the possibilities of how the University of Groningen can gain more autonomy over its data in the future. Together with various representatives from across the University, we are working on a roadmap to promote data autonomy and a strategy that will enable the UG to respect, protect and promote academic freedom in the digital age.

Community and ambassadors

Are you working or studying at the University of Groningen and are you interested, concerned or do you want to be part of the journey? Join the Data Autonomy Community or become an Ambassador of the Data Autonomy Project. Let's do this together!