This project aims to share research, policy insights and good practice about how public sector data can be best managed and used to ensure its value is of public benefit from social, economic and environmental perspectives. Some members of the core team collaborated together as part of the Scottish Government’s Independent Expert Group for the Unlocking the Value of Public Data programme (2022-23), and in extending their partnership to other academics, policymakers, practitioners and public members from the EU, this project will provide the opportunity to explore:

a) how Scotland is situated within broader post-Brexit European data governance frameworks;

b) the diversity of different publics and their interplay with public sector data in Scotland and the EU;

c) inequalities in data to ensure economic, social and environmental development are both ethical and equitable.

The programme will consider these in relation to health, criminal justice, environmental protection and local government because public sector data most affects citizens in these areas, and have the potential to produce public benefit and value from social, economic and environmental perspectives.

The programme will start by running online workshops on data for social, economic and environmental benefits, respectively, with discussions aiming to feed into a cross-cutting KE hybrid workshop bringing together academics and practitioners in Scotland and the EU. A report will be produced containing policy recommendations and points for further research. This KE event will also include a session for the general public, and a symposium for the wider academic/practitioner community.