Abstract
This joint report from ai@cam, Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, and the Bennett Institute for Public Policy presents a series of case studies examining access to data for research. Through real-world examples across multiple disciplines, the report illustrates current barriers researchers face and proposes policy developments to address these challenges.
This report presents a series of case studies examining access to data for research, highlighting crucial design considerations for the UK’s National Data Library and the need for digital infrastructure that connects data, researchers, and resources.
Key Case Studies
The report features innovative uses of data for research across critical areas:
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Cancer Research Data Challenges
- Dr Mireia Crispin examines the data barriers in cancer research
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Social Media Research Evolution
- Dr Amy Orben explores changes in social media research access
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Environmental Conservation
- Dr Sadiq Jaffer and Dr Alec Christie demonstrate data’s role in planet conservation
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Polar Research Challenges
- Dr Scott Hosking investigates data barriers in Polar research
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COVID-19 Data Insights
- Professor Stefan Scholtes shares lessons from pandemic data use
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Supply Chain Analysis
- Professor Vasco Carvalho explores supply chain data complexities
Key Findings
The case studies revealed several critical aspects of data access and use:
- Researchers face significant barriers in accessing data across multiple disciplines
- Current infrastructure needs improvement to better connect data, researchers, and resources
- Policy development is needed to address data access challenges
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential for effective data sharing
- Digital infrastructure must support both data access and responsible use
Recommendations
Based on researcher experiences, the report recommends:
- Develop robust frameworks for data sharing in research
- Create infrastructure that connects data, researchers, and enabling resources
- Address discipline-specific data access challenges
- Ensure policy development is informed by researcher experiences
- Build systems that support both access and responsible data use
Impact for the National Data Library
The findings from these case studies provide crucial insights for the development of the UK’s National Data Library, highlighting the need for infrastructure that supports both access to and responsible use of research data.