Media(ted) data co-design workshop report for the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons

This is a report on 2 co-design workshops for the Media(ted) Data project, which is part of the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons, in the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). 

The Mediated Data project tackles the fragmented nature of media data across various platforms, posing challenges such as data availability disparities, lack of standardisation, and ethical and legal complexities. The proposed Australian Internet Observatory aims to revolutionise digital footprint research by offering a unified, ethically sound platform for accessing, analysing, and enhancing data quality, empowering researchers to address critical societal issues responsibly and advance data-driven research and decision-making.

The proposed plan for the Australian Internet Observatory is being developed in collaboration with RMIT University, QUT, the University of Queensland, the University of Melbourne, Swinburne University and Deakin University. Collaborating initiatives include the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making + Society (ADM+S), the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, and the Australian Digital Observatory.

Our Co-Design process: The ARDC is developing this infrastructure in accordance with the HASS and Indigenous RDC co-design framework (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10516606). This process is designed to create the greatest impact for research and researchers by co-designing the infrastructure with the people who will benefit from it. Project development is follow the stages of Problem Identification, Project Shaping, Project Planning, and Endorsement. The Project Shaping phase was implemented through the two open co-design workshops described here.

The workshops were held on 1 and 12 February 2024. Both workshops were held virtually and were open to all.

Workshop 1 was attended by 42 participants from 19 organisations. Organisations represented included 13 Australian universities, as well as medical research, industry, GLAM, and research infrastructure organisations. The aim of this first workshop was to refine our understanding of the challenge to be addressed and find out what outcomes participants want to achieve.

Workshop 2 was attended by 53 participants from 23 organisations. Organisations represented included 16 Australian universities, an international university, as well as GLAM and research infrastructure organisations. The aim of this workshop was to explore how the desired outcomes identified by participants in Workshop 1 could be achieved within the new infrastructure investment, and understand requirements and practical considerations for the potential solutions.

Learn more about the 2 workshops by reading the workshop report below.

Contents
Executive Summary
The HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons
The Mediated Data Investment Opportunity
Our Co-Design Process
Workshop 1
Workshop 2
Next steps
Appendix 1

Learn more about the HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons.