Session: Data Autonomy Project

https://conference.publicspaces.net/en/session/rug-data-autonomy-project

Naam/name Notulist: Sylke
Datum/date: 28-06-2023 14:00

Sprekersnamen/speaker names:

• Oskar Gstrein, Ambassador Data Autonomy at University of Groningen - https://conference.publicspaces.net/en/people/oskar-gstrein

Shownotes 

(mentioned links, books, podcasts, literature, etc.)

• Oskar is happy to share his slides 
• Reconceptualisation of privacy - workshop coming up in Utrecht 20/21 september - mail to Oskar if interested.
• -

Live notes (500-750 words)

Please use full sentences and write in the spoken language of the session / Graag volledige zinnen gebruiken en de taal aanhouden van de sessie

A campus without Google or Microsoft - is that possible? Short answer: It's complicated. 
Long answer: see presentation (30 mins) and Q&A at the end. 

Two elements connected to data autonomy 

1. There is a question about Data protection and GDPR regulations.
Groningen university is an exception in the Netherlands, they use Google Services, whereas other Dutch universities use Microsoft. For the debate, it doesn't necessarily make a difference. 
Practical complications in switching digital service providers: it will take up about two years. 
As a university/large organisation they have limited choice/agency. 
Data protection laws are strong, but limited. They are developed from an individual perspective, but they do not take into account data generated by collectives, such as universities.  

2. There is a question of Sovereignty. 
This requires a bubble of trust and suitable (digital) infrastructures. The European Union becoming sovereign is a paradox. Autonomy recognises that we have a need for a certain type of agency, but we live in a connected world.  

Philosophical Q: What is the role of higher education in a datafied society? Traditional education is being challenged. 

Relevant questions, which they are trying to map together with stakeholders:
    How can we make sure that students have an environment where they can learn develop and fail safely? This means without data traces and measurements that profile or follow students for the rest of their lives. 
For instance, in order to study at Groningen University, students have to get a Google account. This has consequences. 
    
   How can we keep a considerable stake in the design of teaching an research practices - driven by the curiosity and talent of independent academics - rather than by corporate interests? 
Some common arguments: we have nothing to hide & it is easier to outsource these services. 
We need a vessel for information in order to get a momentum started. 

• How can we foster ownership of research results and data sets, instead of promoting the interests of big publishing houses and obscure data brokers?
• Stake and role of univesrities: dichotomy between being open and the question who can use data and for what?
• How can we make sure the value of data is supporting the fruitful development of the academic community sustainably? 

• How can we make sure thqt our data is (not) beign (ab-)used to train and develop AI/Machine Learning systems which (do not) respect, protect and promote the values of the academic community?
• How can we create an environment for respectfully discussing bold and controversial ideas? 

Data autonomy is different from data protection, because of the concept of informational self-determination. fundamental difference is that informational self-determination (a constitutional right) builds on human dignity (should be protected and promoted) and data ??

University of Groningen has different outputs: education, research, but also entrepreneurship. Data autonomy can mean something different for the different outputs.

Ownership of data vs. private data and research. We want to create data which needs to be fair, findable and reusable. But reusability clashes with purpose limitation in the GDPR.

Short term vision: mapping the situation; increase choices, pool resources and contribute to new developments,  

What does the 'datafied' UG look like? We interact more with the digital infrastructure than the physical buildings. This means that it is important to find an alternative to Google. 

Long term vision: make data autonomy part of the culture of the University of Groningen.  
We need your support because there is awareness of the issues, but there is no real space to have this discussion, because it doesn't fit short term project management. Nobody will fix this for us, unless we do. 

Question: public science funders, such as Horizon 2020 have a requirement to publish data via open access. 
A: Should we then not organise a open source platform via the European Union? Example GaiaX.
Important not to look at it in a power-based way, but to have your values straight. 

Question/tips: have you looked at the data automobility movement, and the Indieweb?
A; There are some issues around individual and organisational autonomy that are unique to universities which make them a good place to start, but that doesn't mean that we are the first or that we cannot learn from other initiatives. The goal is to make a space to have these type of discussions and this is really hard to get started. 

Question: does anyone know what the internet costs? and who is paying for it? and to whom? We should raise awareness around this. Do you understand what it costs?
A: increasingly the ownership of parts of the internet/our digital infrastructure is private. The traditional business model used was profiling and personalised advertising, but we are now at an inflection point. The main thing that we should do is push back against a few players monopolising the industry/internet. 

Question: to what extent do you work together with other knowledge institutions/university in order to create data autonomy as a fundamental shift in how we use our data in research and education ?
A: For instance, we are working together with Public Spaces, and SURF. 
Conceptually, it is great to explore it, but there could be much more done about this.