Updated guidance published on the National Data Strategy Forum
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The National Data Strategy Forum was created to ensure that a
diverse range of perspectives continue to inform the implementation
of the National Data Strategy. From: Department for Digital,
Culture, Media & Sport Contents About the National Data
Strategy Forum The story so far Detailed workplans Getting involved
Useful links About the National Data Strategy Forum The National
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The National Data Strategy Forum was created to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives continue to inform the implementation of the National Data Strategy. From: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Contents
About the National Data Strategy Forum The National Data Strategy sets out the actions this government will take on data. It is not the final answer, but a framework for a conversation about the way that we support the responsible and trusted use of data in the UK. This collaborative approach has been a key principle throughout the development of the strategy. The National Data Strategy Forum is a structured series of discussions designed to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives beyond government and the public sector continue to inform the strategy’s implementation. It will support us in implementing our plans in such a way that builds public trust and ensures the data opportunity works for everyone, everywhere. Co-chaired by DCMS ministers and techUK, the Forum will be an opportunity for engaging and challenging debate on the implementation of the UK’s National Data Strategy. Drawn from industry, academia and civil society, participants will be invited to:
We want to foster an open and inclusive Forum which welcomes in new ideas, and so it will not comprise a set membership, but will invite in experts and participants as relevant to specific discussions at each Forum event. The Forum will have no decision-making role and is not part of any formal governance mechanism for the National Data Strategy. Its role is to challenge and champion the strategy, and join together in ensuring the way we use data in the UK is the best it can be. The story so far The National Data Strategy Forum was announced as part of the government response to the consultation on the National Data Strategy, in direct response to feedback received from stakeholders through the consultation. On June 22, the Minister for Media and Data, John Whittingdale and Sue Daley, Director of Innovation and Technology at techUK, co-chaired the first National Data Strategy Forum virtual discussion. It brought together a diverse group from across the UK’s data ecosystem, including business leaders, civil society leaders and data experts to discuss the priorities for the Forum, as well as how participants can help support implementation of the strategy and encourage collaboration. The discussion explored a range of issues such as:
John Whittingdale shares his reflections on this discussion and next steps for the Forum. Following the Forum’s first discussion in the summer, we identified in collaboration with Forum participants five key work streams to structure that activity around:
Further detail on each workplan can be found below. Detailed workplans Unlocking the power of data for everyone everywhere The NDS sets out the government’s commitment to unlocking the power of data for everyone, everywhere. But what does that mean in practice? As part of our commitment to Mission 1 of the NDS, we will be publishing a policy framework, building on recent research on how to focus and prioritise government’s role in enabling improved data availability in the wider economy. We want to create the conditions to make more data available, to ensure it can then be accessed and then used within a secure and trusted environment. Is there a role for incentives in facilitating and stimulating the development of healthy and responsible data-driven markets? How can we encourage innovation and infrastructure that will propel our data environment forward in a secure and trusted way? How can we promote the development of good data foundations and standards that support greater data sharing and use of data? We have been exploring these questions, and many others, throughout the development of the NDS and consultation on the framework. As we deliver on the actions we set out in the NDS, we need to continue to work in partnership with the data ecosystem. This Forum workstream will focus on unlocking the power of data, whether that’s improving data quality and standards, increasing access across the UK data ecosystem, or helping businesses and individuals better understand and drive value from data - and on how we do this in a way that helps all parts of the UK to level-up. We heard a lot through the consultation about how much local areas have to gain from good data use. Better data availability can drive innovation and growth in organisations of all sizes, across all parts of the UK. Data can support our understanding of inequality between geographic areas, and inform better policy making and targeted interventions at both local and national levels. We also know there are key foundational issues which can prevent digital participation, such as lack of connectivity or data skills opportunities in particular geographic areas. We also heard a lot about the many ways the ecosystem is already rising to these challenges, and there is so much great work being led across the regions, from the Open Data Institute’s focus on improving data literacy and skills with training for workplaces, to the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation and Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s work to develop an ethical data governance framework for the region and the recently launched London Data Charter that guides data sharing and collaboration for both the public and private sector. We want the Forum to be a platform for sharing and scaling that learning. The challenge This workstream challenges Forum participants to help us increase our understanding of how to unlock the power and value of data across different sectors, geographies and sections of society. As part of this, we want participants to use their networks and knowledge to help us ensure regional perspectives are reflected in the development of our upcoming Mission 1 policy framework, so that the actions we take to increase data availability across the economy work for everyone. We want to identify and share case studies and examples of best practice demonstrating the power and value of data to organisations of all sizes, across the country, and work with Forum participants to showcase, communicate and amplify these. Key deliverables For the remainder of 2021 we will:
We will also research case studies and best practice demonstrating the value of data, and work with the Forum to explore the best way in which to communicate these to ensure we are sharing knowledge as widely as possible. How to get involved
Trust in data Data has the potential to unlock enormous societal and economic benefits. However, as we outline in the NDS, the value of data can only be harnessed if there is public support for its use. In previous research on data sharing by the public sector, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) identified an environment of ‘tenuous trust’, in which data is used and shared for beneficial purposes, but public awareness of it is generally low. Meanwhile, media coverage tends to focus on the risks associated with the use of data and data-driven technologies, such as data breaches and biases in algorithms. Some of the controversies associated with the use of these technologies remain lodged in public consciousness. This environment, combined with an absence of a developed understanding of public acceptability, hinders the progression of projects that could be of huge societal benefit. To address this, the CDEI is partnering with DCMS to consider how to rebalance the conversation about data use and build public trust in responsible data use. This reflects feedback from respondents to the consultation on the NDS, who felt this should be an area of focus for the Centre. In order to do this, the CDEI is currently developing its understanding of public attitudes towards data use, and building out a database of case studies, which demonstrate how responsible data use can be harnessed for the public good. It will then develop and implement a strategy which aims to improve how data-driven stories are communicated, ensuring that communications are transparent and focus on public benefit. The challenge Our challenge to the Forum is to work with us to conduct and collate research into public attitudes towards data use, and promote a more nuanced public debate on data use, ensuring the potential benefits of data use are understood, as well as the risks that occur when data is not used responsibly. We want to hear of evidence and examples of how responsible data use can lead to better societal outcomes. These examples and insights will be used to understand how to shape and reach the public with our communications to build public awareness and understanding of the societal benefits that good data use can offer. Key deliverables We will convene a working group to:
How to get involved
Data reform On Friday 10 September 2021, the government launched Data: a new Direction: a consultation on reforms to create a new, ambitious, pro-growth and innovation-friendly data protection regime that underpins the trustworthy use of data for an even better UK data rights regime. As the Prime Minister made clear to Parliament in February this year, the government will operate an independent policy on data protection outside of the EU. This will focus on promoting competition and innovation while delivering forward-looking and coherent outcomes, as set out in Digital Regulation: Driving growth and unlocking innovation. This consultation is one of the major milestones in delivering on that objective. This consultation sets out the government’s future intentions for a data protection regime outside of the EU and is part of the wider conversation on unlocking the power of data. As the government set out in its National Data Strategy, data is a huge strategic asset and is the driving force of modern economies. We want to unlock the power of data to drive innovation and boost the economy, while continuing to protect people’s safety and privacy. The launch of this consultation is the first step in the process towards reform of the UK’s data regime. Responses to this consultation can help shape the reforms we want to make, and we are also seeking views on a number of emerging policy areas where we are gathering evidence to understand further whether there is a need for legislative change. The challenge Our challenge to the Forum is to help us engage as diverse a range of organisations and individuals as possible in this important debate. During the consultation period, we are asking Forum participants to convene discussion events, roundtables and create their own content about key questions and themes within the consultation. Key deliverables A series of convenor-led discussion events and write-ups aimed at helping people engage with the consultation. Event write ups will be treated as formal inputs into the consultation process. Confirmed convenors include:
How to get involved
Net zero This workstream explores how we can work together to harness the power of data to meet our net zero ambitions. The NDS acknowledges the full impact of data and digital on sustainability is not yet fully understood. We are committed to exploring how the NDS can support the government’s net zero ambitions. Whilst data centres consume a substantial amount of electricity, the better use of data can help our shift towards low-carbon ways of living and working, while driving sustainable growth and job creation. For example, transport data being made open has supported the development of apps such as Citymapper, which allows access to information about traffic in real time so individuals can choose less congested routes, opt to use public transport or walk/cycle. Or improved weather forecasting by applying data-based models has helped protect crops in fields, made wind and solar renewable energy generation more predictable, and allows for greater preparedness to weather disruption. The challenge Our challenge to the Forum is to work with us to find new and innovative ways the data ecosystem can take action to support our net zero ambitions, as well as showcasing the positive role data can play. Key deliverables We will host two discussions in 2021:
How to get involved
Measuring the data ecosystem Much of the activity under the NDS is breaking new ground. It is prompting us to think about data and its potential for positive impact in ways that we haven’t before. This is a challenge, and one which we are making headway on, through our work to monitor and evaluate the NDS. However, we know that government does not have all the answers, and there is much valuable expertise within the wider data ecosystem. TechUK’s recently launched Local Digital Capital Index for example is a new approach to describing the building blocks that make up a technology ecosystem - and we know that lots of other stakeholders are also coming up with similarly innovative and novel ways to consider these issues. We therefore want to use the NDS Forum to create a shared understanding of the data ecosystem, and to tap into its expertise to develop our policy thinking in this area. The challenge This is a two-part challenge:
Deliverables In 2021, we are initially focused on the first of those challenges, through running a 12-week public call for evidence for written submissions, and facilitating roundtables with key stakeholders to get into some of the detail and nuance of the discussion, to feed into that evidence gathering. We will commence work in 2022 to map the data ecosystem, informed by the work undertaken in our call for evidence. How to get involved
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