The Need for Data Policyin Times of Crisis

This presentation is part of a session examining the need for data policy that promotes Open Science in crisis situations that contributes to the development of research data management while driving the development and benefits of data-driven science for European scientists and science globally. The panels discussion explores the scientific, political, and societal elements that affect the sharing of information resources, particularly data and data infrastructure, in situations of health emergencies, natural disasters, and geopolitical disruptions that threaten the exchange of scientific knowledge and collaboration. Recent pandemics/epidemics (COVID -19, Ebola, MERS), natural disasters (droughts in Europe, Africa, China, USA; floods in Europe, Pakistan, Bangladesh; earthquakes in Papua New Guinea, Peru, Japan), and geopolitical conflicts (Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Haiti) point to the need for increased data comprehensiveness, integrity, and transparency as well as for more robust ethics and scientific frameworks supporting data policy in crisis situations.

This presentation is based on work developed by the International Science Council’s CODATA International Data Policy Committee (IDPC) and the EOSC-Future / RDA Artificial Intelligence & Data Visitation Working Group (AIDV-WG). The presentation was developed as part of the Francis' appointment as the EOSC Future / RDA Ambassador for Ethics & Law. The Global cooperation on FAIR data policy and practice (WorldFAIR) receives funding from the HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ERA-01-41, Grant Agreement 101058393. Francis’ EOSC Future / RDA Ambassador for Ethics & Law and the EOSC-Future projects are co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Programme call INFRAEOSC-03-2020 - Project ID 101017536. The Research Data Alliance (RDA) is funded by Horizon Europe as well as by other funding organisations (see here). Francis is grateful for the support provided by CODATA and the EOSC-Future and the RDA communities, structures, and secretariats.