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From practical tips for publishing open data to inspiring accounts of how open data has changed lives, we’re publishing new blogs all the time.

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- Agriculture and food
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Blog 24/04/2018 Can we increase access to data while retaining trust?
- Data infrastructure
- Data publishing and use
- Personal data and privacy
- Anna Scott
- Jack Hardinges
- Peter Wells
A new ODI project aims to increase access to data while retaining trust. Here are some of the research questions to be explored
Reports 20/04/2018 The role of data in AI business models (report)
- Emerging tech
- Jamie Fawcett
- Jared Robert Keller
- Lucia Chauvet
We’ve created a matrix of AI business models to help you to understand the array of models currently used by businesses developing AI systems, and lay out the most commonly expressed reasons for the current trend of restricting access to data
Blog 19/04/2018 Facebook scandal: let’s turn our attention from how data is collected to how it gets used
- Innovation
- Personal data and privacy
- Science and research
- Fiona Smith
- Jeni Tennison
If we are not to cut ourselves off from the benefits data can bring, we must have controls, good governance and transparency over how data is used as well as what is collected and shared, say Jeni Tennison and Fiona Smith
Article 13/04/2018 Announcing the open standards for data guidebook
- Open standards and open APIs
- Anna Scott
- Leigh Dodds
- Natalia Umeyor
Our new guidebook helps you to find, adopt and create open standards for data
Blog 11/04/2018 Data portability: the role governments should play
- Data infrastructure
- Personal data and privacy
- Jeni Tennison
Jeni Tennison calls on governments around the world to ensure data portability supports open innovation and competition while preserving people’s privacy
Blog 09/04/2018 A year spent understanding the role of data in the peer-to-peer accommodation sector
- Built environment and housing
- Cities
- Isabelle Champion
The ODI has been working to understand how data can improve the peer-to-peer accommodation market to support businesses and communities, and improve the experience of consumers.
Reports 09/04/2018 Understanding the impacts of peer-to-peer accommodation, the role of data and data observatories (report)
- Built environment and housing
- Data infrastructure
- Cities
- Isabelle Champion
- Jack Hardinges
We’ve undertaken a project to understand how data can improve the peer-to-peer accommodation market to support businesses, consumers and communities. As part of this work, we have conducted interviews and desk research to better understand the stakeholders interested in the impact of peer-to-peer accommodation and the impacts they focus on, the role of data in understanding impact and the potential use of a data observatory.
Reports 09/04/2018 Prototyping with open sports data (report)
- Built environment and housing
- Health and physical activity
- Cities
- Isabelle Champion
- Olivier Thereaux
Three prototypes exploring the potential of local, open data to support communities and enhance the experience of peer-to-peer accommodation platforms
Reports 09/04/2018 Data portability and peer-to-peer accommodation: four scenarios for the future (report)
- Personal data and privacy
We’ve been exploring multiple scenarios of imagined futures to help us understand how we move towards a world where people, organisations and communities use data to make better decisions, and are protected against any of its harmful impacts.
Blog, Guides 06/04/2018 Explainer: What is personal data and how can I control how it's shared?
- Personal data and privacy
- Alexandra Vryzakis
- Anna Scott
- Jack Hardinges
- Jeni Tennison
- Peter Wells
How can data about me be collected, shared and used? Can I control where data about me goes? We demystify these questions and explain why we want stronger data rights
News 05/04/2018 The ODI secures $2.5m from Omidyar Network to help deliver its mission to build an open, trustworthy data ecosystem
- Data infrastructure
- Peer networks
- Helen Desmond
The Open Data Institute (ODI) has secured $2.5 million in funding from the Governance and Citizen Engagement Initiative at Omidyar Network, the philanthropic investment firm established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.
Blog 29/03/2018 Jeni Tennison: ‘Getting paid for personal data won’t make things better’
- Data infrastructure
- Personal data and privacy
- Anna Scott
- Jeni Tennison
- Peter Wells
Some think individuals should own data about them to ensure they fairly benefit from it. Some go as far as saying people should be paid when other organisations use it. In this post, Jeni Tennison looks at how we can share all in the benefits of personal data
Blog 29/03/2018 Building the future: opportunities for new services and stronger digital rights in telecoms and utilities
- Data infrastructure
- Innovation
- Open standards and open APIs
- Personal data and privacy
- Olivier Thereaux
A new report outlining opportunities to drive innovation and transform the telecoms and utilities markets has been published today by the ODI and specialist digital rights consultancy IF
Blog 24/03/2018 No one owns data: we need to strengthen our rights
- Data infrastructure
- Personal data and privacy
- Anna Scott
- Jeni Tennison
- Peter Wells
As the Cambridge Analytica story develops, many are arguing for data ownership. Alongside her interviews on BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, here ODI CEO Jeni Tennison explains why we need a rights framework instead
Guides, Reports 23/03/2018 Mapping data ecosystems
- Data infrastructure
- Peer networks
- Isabelle Champion
In this guide, we introduce a tool for documenting and mapping data ecosystems.
Blog 23/03/2018 Creating ecosystem maps for open data
- Data infrastructure
- Peer networks
- Isabelle Champion
The ODI has developed a new guide to help organisations identify and map data ecosystems. Izy Champion gives the rundown and asks for feedback on how it works and examples of your ecosystem maps for the tool
Blog 22/03/2018 What does the Cambridge Analytica scandal mean for access to data?
- Data infrastructure
- Data publishing and use
- Personal data and privacy
- Anna Scott
- Jeni Tennison
- Peter Wells
With questions about the use and misuse of personal data high in the public’s mind, Jeni Tennison shares five takeaways on the implications for access to data for researchers
Reports 08/03/2018 Exploring interventions to support the peer-to-peer accommodation sector and the role of data (report)
- Built environment and housing
- Cities
- Isabelle Champion
- Jack Hardinges
Many people use peer-to-peer accommodation services to decide where to stay, whether to let a room or how to build a business. To make those decisions, people need data.
Blog 08/03/2018 Exploring interventions to support the peer-to-peer accommodation sector
- Built environment and housing
- Public administration services
- Science and research
- Cities
- Isabelle Champion
- Jack Hardinges
As part of the Open Data Institute’s innovation programme, we are working to understand how data can improve the peer-to-peer accommodation market to support businesses and communities, and improve the experience of consumers.
Blog, News 07/03/2018 Invitation to tender: ODI Summit event planning and management
- Agriculture and food
- Banking and finance
- Data infrastructure
- Data publishing and use
- Emerging tech
- Geospatial data and mapping
- Humanitarian response
- Innovation
- Open standards and open APIs
- Peer networks
- Skills and literacy
- Cities
- Emma Thwaites
The ODI Summit (last held in 2016 at the BFI) returns in 2018. We are looking for an individual or company to provide an event planning and management service, ensuring that the 2018 Summit is the best ever and delivers an exciting and interesting array of material, and an opportunity for the ODI to connect with existing and new audiences.
Blog 02/03/2018 Open Data Day: seven weird and wonderful open datasets
- Data publishing and use
- Alexandra Vryzakis
- Anna Scott
- Hannah Foulds
Now that the Winter Olympics are over, #OpenDataDay is upon us! In order to celebrate publishing data that anyone can access, use or share we’re showcasing the quirkiest, funniest and most cat-filled open datasets out there in our very own Open Data Olympics
Reports 02/03/2018 Using open data for public services (report)
- Public administration services
- Helen Desmond
- Jack Hardinges
- Peter Wells
This paper explores how open data can be used in public service delivery and its potential for collaboration, joint problem-solving and open innovation. It highlights where open data has been released by public sector institutions and its effects on delivering public services
Blog 01/03/2018 Using open data for public services
- Data infrastructure
- Public administration services
- Mandy Costello
The ODI has conducted research into public services and the role open data plays in making them better and more cost effective. The findings give us new insights into the conditions needed to grow successful open data ecosystems for public service delivery.
Blog 16/02/2018 Open standards for data: adoption, approaches and impact
- Data infrastructure
- Open standards and open APIs
- Search and discovery
- Leigh Dodds
Open standards are important to our data infrastructure. To mark the launch of new research, researchers Edafe Onerhime and Rose Rees-Jones share their findings on how people approach developing standards and what they need, and the impact of open data standards
Blog 15/02/2018 Will GDPR and data portability support innovation?
- Banking and finance
- Data infrastructure
- Emerging tech
- Health and physical activity
- Innovation
- Personal data and privacy
- Retail and consumer
- Gillian Whitworth
- Jack Hardinges
Imagine if you could let your doctor access data on your Fitbit, or if you could use your favourite Spotify playlist in iTunes. Data portability could make these things possible
Blog, News 12/02/2018 ODI survey reveals British consumer attitudes to sharing personal data
- Health and physical activity
- Personal data and privacy
- Retail and consumer
The Open Data Institute has released findings from new consumer research, conducted online by YouGov, revealing current attitudes of British adults online towards sharing personal data. The full dataset can be viewed here under an open licence
Blog 12/02/2018 ODI's 5th Year: annual report
- Jeni Tennison
2017 was a year of transition for the ODI as we celebrated our fifth birthday and developed our plans for the next five years.
Blog 05/02/2018 Invitation to tender: development of applied best practice research guides
- Science and research
The ODI is looking for a supplier to research and develop the content for a range of best practice guides of different quantitative, qualitative and user research techniques, as part of our R&D programme
Blog 31/01/2018 Invitation to tender: branded presentation templates for R&D outputs
- Science and research
As part of its R&D programme, the ODI is looking for an experienced graphic designer or agency to produce templates for the presentation of innovation outputs to key stakeholders
Blog 25/01/2018 To improve open data, help publishers
- Data publishing and use
- Search and discovery
- Olivier Thereaux
In our quest to help speed up and automate the process of publishing high-quality open data, we spent a few months listening to the people whose role it was to publish data, and the people creating tools for them. This is what we learned
Blog 24/01/2018 Invitation to tender: copywriters, editors and/or producers
- Hannah Foulds
Experienced copywriters, editors and/or producers to assist in the production of outputs from the ODI’s three year innovation programme
Blog 18/01/2018 Documenting the development of open standards for data
- Open standards and open APIs
- Leigh Dodds
As part of the ODI’s innovation programme, a project is being run to help make it easier for people to create open standards for data. Here, Leigh Dodds explains the aims, how different approaches to standards development have been studied so far and what to expect from the projects in the next mont
Blog 15/01/2018 What do SMEs and startups need to succeed in open data innovation?
- Startups
With the flexibility to experiment and be more innovative, startups and SMEs are increasingly incorporating open data into their business models. In this blog, ODI Fellow Tom Wainwright explores what it takes for these organisations to succeed
Blog 12/01/2018 Opportunities for UK/France transport data: ODI workshop on 15 February
- Transport
- Marina Peneva
As part of the ODI’s data innovation programme, we are exploring opportunities for collaboration in transport between France and the UK. Transport organisations in both countries are invited to participate in our workshop on 15 February
Blog 12/01/2018 Open banking: counting the steps towards a strong data infrastructure for the UK
- Banking and finance
- Data infrastructure
- David Beardmore
- Peter Wells
Open banking gives consumers more control over data about them. This will change the sector and improve the services customers receive. Other countries and sectors will follow and build a better and more open future for data
Blog 05/01/2018 Invitation to tender: animated videos explaining emerging technology As part of its innovation programme, the ODI is running a research project to help businesses understand emerging data technologies and whether these can meet their needs. In this project we are specifically looking at emerging technologies around personal data, smart contracts and artificial intelligence.
Blog 27/12/2017 Open data training in Africa: lessons from the leaders network
- Peer networks
The African Open Data Leaders Network brought together public servants working in open data to help them develop their open data policies and communicate its value.
Blog 20/12/2017 Using artificial intelligence and open data for innovation and accountability
- Emerging tech
- Olivier Thereaux
In the light of the UK’s new industrial strategy and budget, as well as the ODI’s recent participation in a House of Lords evidence session around how AI and personal data should be owned, managed, valued and used for the benefit of society, the ODI’s Head of Technology Olivier Thereaux examines our work in this area.
Article 15/12/2017 ODI Podcast: the African Open Data Leaders Network In this podcast, we look at the African Open Data Leaders Network, a regional variation of the programme that took place this year in Accra, Ghana.
Blog 15/12/2017 Building resilient cities in Africa: lessons learned from ODI’s mini-grant projects
- Gillian Whitworth
Following the conclusion of the mini-grant programme, hear from three projects bringing citizens and governments together to improve Africa’s cities, with £6,000 and support from the ODI
Blog, News 14/12/2017 ODI welcomes UK National Infrastructure Commission recognition that data is infrastructure
- Data infrastructure
- Geospatial data and mapping
- Transport
- Leigh Dodds
- Peter Wells
ODI welcomes UK National Infrastructure Commission recognition of data as a new form of infrastructure and that open data is necessary for innovation.
Blog 14/12/2017 Assessing data literacy needs in government
- Peer networks
- Skills and literacy
- Emily Vacher
As part of its work with the OD4D-funded project Building an Africa Open Data Network (AODN), the ODI conducted a learning needs assessment of people working in government.
Blog 06/12/2017 The ODI launches three collaborative data innovation projects between the UK and France
- Emerging tech
- Innovation
- Peer networks
- Public administration services
- Science and research
- Cities
- Transport
- Lucia Chauvet
- Tom Hunter
The ODI has kicked off three collaborative UK and France projects, which support ways to enhance data collaboration between the two countries.
Blog 06/12/2017 Research: what are the impacts of peer-to-peer accommodation platforms?
- Built environment and housing
- Innovation
- Retail and consumer
As part of the ODI’s innovation programme, a new project is looking into ways in which data can help to improve the peer-to-peer accommodation sector.
Blog 05/12/2017 What will the UK’s Geospatial Commission look like?
- Data infrastructure
- Geospatial data and mapping
- Peter Wells
The Autumn Budget included a commitment, building on that in the Conservative manifesto, that could lead to Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap data being made available as open data
Blog, Reports 04/12/2017 The EU General Data Protection Regulation: opportunities for grocery retail
- Personal data and privacy
- Retail and consumer
Our report explores how the retail sector can work together to turn GDPR from a compliance obligation into an opportunity to build services that meet shoppers needs.
Blog 04/12/2017 Four UK teams win funding to redesign public services with open data
- Public administration services
The ODI is working with four teams from different parts of the UK, to support them in redesigning specific public services with open data.
Blog 22/11/2017 Autumn Budget: the ODI welcomes measures to open up land data – citizens, companies and services to benefit
- Data infrastructure
- Jeni Tennison
- Sir Nigel Shadbolt
By opening up mapping data – previously only accessible to large companies who could afford it – the UK government will enable small businesses, communities and citizens to use it, bringing wide benefits
Article 08/11/2017 Public procurement: startups improve process
- Innovation
- Open standards and open APIs
- Public administration services
- Startups
- Tom Hunter
Every year, governments spend over $9.5 trillion through contracts with companies to provide everything from pencils and paper to building infrastructure such as bridges, schools, and hospitals. A third of government expenditure is on public contracts.
Article 03/11/2017 Exploring human-data interaction challenges
- Emerging tech
- Public administration services
- Science and research
- Search and discovery
- Laura Koesten
Finding and selecting data can be complicated and inconsistent. ODI PhD student Laura Koesten shares her plans to map problems within data search from a user’s perspective

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