The data institutions programme helps organisations, people and communities build new data institutions, and supports existing organisations to steward data on behalf of others more effectively.

The programme does this by:

• Conducting pioneering research into the theory behind data institutions.
• Providing advisory services and training to people, communities and organisations building data institutions.
• Supporting data institutions in their early stages.
• Developing guidance and tools related to data institutions.
• Advocating for data institutions and responsible data stewardship.

Our work on data institutions is international in scope. We’ll continue to learn from and collaborate with others around the world exploring data stewardship, including organisations such as The GovLab, Aapti Institute and Nesta, and networks such as those convened by MyData Global, Mozilla and the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Work with the data institutions programme

There are different ways to work with us on data institutions.

• For organisations, people or communities looking to build a data institution or adapt an existing organisation, use our existing guidance and tools, see if we are currently running a stimulus fund or peer network, or get in touch if you think we could support your work.
• For funders looking to advance the concept of data stewardship and data institutions, talk to us about our plans for the programme and help us to identify opportunities for data institutions in particular fields or for particular purposes, or we can make introductions to others in search of support.
• For consultancies and independent experts working to apply data institutions, we hope our research and existing guidance and tools will be useful in your work, and get in touch if you’d like to work on something together.
• For governments, think-tanks and other policymakers interested in the role of data institutions and related topics, take a look at our research or join us to discuss their policy implications and how to create an enabling environment for them.
• For academics and others exploring data institutions, find out about opportunities to collaborate on research or about becoming a research fellow of the programme.

There’s more information about the work we’ve completed on data institutions so far and the plans for our programme in this document. It is open for feedback, so feel free to leave your comments or suggestions directly.

If you would like to discuss data institutions with us then please email Jack Hardinges, our Programme Lead for Data institutions, or complete the form below.

Sir Nigel Shadbolt on data institutions

Our ongoing research and projects in this area