Open Research Conversation:Open data, indigenous data sovereignty and the CARE principles

Recording of the following session, part of the 'Open Research Conversations' seminar series at the University of Sheffield (organised by the University Library, Scholarly Communications Team), held on 11/06/25.

Open data, indigenous data sovereignty and the CARE principles

This session will explore the tensions that exist between the movement towards open data and Indigenous Peoples’ rights to ownership and control over data emerging from their communities.

What frameworks exist to support indigenous data sovereignty, and what tensions and challenges remain? In what ways can the co/production of knowledge relating to indigenous communities proceed ethically and ensure the CARE principles of Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility and Ethics are exercised? What questions does this debate pose to the concept of open data as an inherent good, and how might this idea need to be modified?

We’ll hear from Jane Anderson (New York University), whose work addresses intellectual and cultural property law, Indigenous rights and the protection of Indigenous/traditional knowledge and cultural heritage; Paula Granados García, head of the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme at the British Museum, and Emiliano Trere (Cardiff University, University of Valencia), one of the co-directors of the Data Justice Lab and co-founder of the ‘Big Data from the South’ Initiative.