Let’s talk about smart data research

1 October 2024

Delivering smart data conversations across the UK

As part of its commitment to championing public engagement in smart data research, Smart Data Research UK has teamed up with Sciencewise and Thinks Insight & Strategy to carry out a ‘public dialogue’ on smart data research.

Workshops began in September and the final one takes place this Saturday.

Here, Teresa Kuhn, from the Thinks team, explains what’s involved.

Why public dialogue?

Last month, Smart Data Research UK’s public dialogue workshops got underway at venues across the country.

Public dialogue – also known as deliberative research – takes a group of people and provides them with information on a topic. It then asks for their views once they’ve had a chance to consider it. Typically, it’s an iterative process, with participants exploring an issue over time, with space to reflect on what they’ve heard.

A dialogue approach is particularly appropriate to explore public opinion on topics that are poorly known or understood, as well as issues that are uncertain or more controversial.

Smart data research is a complex topic. We know that data sharing can be a controversial issue, so it is important to go beyond knee-jerk reactions and give participants the time and space to understand the subject matter, hear different people’s opinions on it, and come to informed recommendations.

How does it work?

Just over 70 members of the public are involved in the public dialogue.

The participants are based in five locations across the UK – Belfast, Gateshead, Inverness, London, and Newport. They have come together in person and online to discuss and debate smart data research.

Even for the in-person events, the five locations remain digitally connected, so participants can see one another. This brings a live and dynamic feel to the events. Connecting in this way also allows for “cross-pollination” between different groups and broadens the range of experiences and views to which each participant is exposed.

The online events have all been done using Zoom. Interacting digitally in this way has helped our team to mix up the groups, so breakout sessions have been made up of a mix of people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Challenges

A focus of the project is to bring everyone up to a good level of understanding about the subject of the dialogue. People learn and grasp concepts in different ways and at different speeds so one challenge is to keep working through any misunderstandings in the nuances of smart data research. We also want to ask people to tell us why they have come to a certain view. Our facilitators are trained to encourage quieter voices to ensure the conversations don’t become dominated by those with the strongest opinions.

Questions the dialogue is exploring

The dialogue objectives are to understand people’s hopes and concerns when it comes to smart data research. We are exploring the public’s conceptions of the “public good” and how to square this with private interests. We are asking questions such as: 

What does “public good” mean to you?
Who should benefit from smart data research and who might miss out? 
How do you feel about your smart data being used for research? 
What do you make of the rules that are in place to protect people?

We’re considering these questions and many more through a range of different activities. For example, in the first workshop, we started with a “digital footprint map”. We asked participants to think about all their interactions with digital systems that might leave a trace or data point.  

Throughout all the sessions, we are seeking to formulate sets of rules and recommendations participants would like to see put in place. In the last session, we will arrive at a final set of recommendations. 

Who is taking part?

Participants are recruited to broadly reflect the UK population. There are quotas set to maximise the diversity of the sample in terms of both demographics and attitudes towards data sharing. We have also taken care to ‘up-weight’ groups who may be disproportionately affected by smart data research. We want to ensure that the research is inclusive and accessible.

The inclusion of people with a range of different experiences and views is important. It enriches the dialogue by encouraging participants to take a “citizen’s view” on the issue at hand. Essentially, it’s helping them to not only think about their own experience but also consider the needs and preferences of others.

What will be the impact?

As a programme that recognises the importance of public engagement and trust, Smart Data Research UK is developing its processes and guidance for the wider research community. This means that the dialogue comes at a good time to influence a range of decisions.

The discussions also add to the rich and growing literature on public attitudes to data sharing, by focusing on a very specific type of data sharing and the relationship between personal data, private companies, and the public good. 

About Thinks Insight & Strategy

Thinks Insight & Strategy is an international insight and strategy agency. It has extensive experience engaging the public on technology and data, including topics such as trust, privacy and digital identities. The team works for both the public and private sectors. Clients include the UK and Scottish Governments, the Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (formerly CDEI), the NHS, the Open Data Institute and Which?. 