Publications — TReNDS

Big Data and the Sustainable Development Goals: Innovations and Partnerships to Support National Monitoring

With support from Partners for Review (P4R), SDSN TReNDS undertook a systematic review of the recent scientific literature on innovative data collection methods and the use of big data to support national monitoring of the SDGs. These methods were mapped against specific criteria to assess their feasibility, rigor, replicability, and sustainability between now and 2030 and the findings are catalogued in a repository. The results and findings of this review have helped to feed into this report, which considers the partnership processes required to enable uptake at the national level, including the policy, regulatory, and practical aspects relevant for partnerships.

Big Data, National MonitoringTReNDS StaffJuly 14, 2021big data, nontraditional data, SDGs

Towards A Framework For Governing Data Innovation: Fostering Trust In The Use Of Non-Traditional Data Sources In Statistical Production

With the rise of new technologies, the use of non-traditional data sources in recent years has increased exponentially. This research paper seeks to cultivate a better understanding of the governance factors that improve trust and confidence in the use of non-traditional data sources for official statistical production, with a focus on legal arrangements, quality assurance practices, and policy changes.

Innovations in Disease Surveillance and Monitoring: Chapter in Springer Handbook of Global Health

While there have been worldwide improvements in public health over the past few decades, new viruses and other pandemics are expected to increase as we move towards high-density, urban living. But with only 49 countries reporting high-quality cause of death data to the WHO, the exact burden of infectious diseases is impossible to know. As made clear by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a vital need for identifying and monitoring the spread of new infectious diseases.

TReNDS StaffNovember 9, 2020disease, monitoring, surveillance, big data

COVID-19 Data and Data Sharing Agreements: The Potential of Sunset Clauses and Sunset Provisions

With the influx of new technologies being used as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has brought about a range of new questions around how data should or should not be used; intellectual property rights; limitations on data re-use; how long data should be used for; and ultimately what should happen to collected data once the pandemic is over. Building upon issues discussed in the C4DC report, “Laying the Foundation for Effective Partnerships: An Examination of Data Sharing Agreements,” this brief examines the potential of sunset clauses or sunset provisions to be a legally binding, enforceable, and accountable way of ensuring COVID-19 related data sharing agreements are wound down responsibly at the end of the pandemic.

Using Mobile Data For Health Monitoring: A Case Study of Data Sharing Between Ghana Statistical Services, Vodafone Ghana, and Flowminder Foundation

This case study documents a data collaboration between the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Vodafone Ghana, and Flowminder. The collaboration enabled the GSS to access insights from mobile phone data to plan public health and sustainable development policies, and it is a useful example of how a government and a private company were able to work with an intermediary partner to gain insights from sensitive data. The mobile data being used by the GSS as a result of the collaboration has proven especially valuable during the current Covid-19 pandemic to document the impact of restriction measures in Ghana.

Laying the Foundation for Effective Partnerships: An Examination of Data Sharing Agreements

COVID-19 has generated new data demands and increased cross-sector data collaboration. Yet, these data collaborations require careful planning and evaluation of risks and opportunities, especially when sharing sensitive data. Contracts for Data Collaboration (C4DC) is a joint initiative working to strengthen trust and transparency of data collaboratives. The C4DC partners have created an online library of Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) which represents a selection of data applications and contexts. This report introduces the DSA library and demonstrates how the library can support the data community to strengthen future data collaborations by showcasing various DSA applications and key considerations.

Leaving No One Off The Map: A Guide For Gridded Population Data For Sustainable Development

In Leaving No One Off The Map: A Guide For Gridded Population Data For Sustainable Development, we present an overview, analysis, and recommendations for the use of gridded population datasets in a wide range of application areas, such as in disaster response, health interventions, and survey planning. Specifically, the report compares seven gridded population datasets from the POPGRID Data Collaborative, including an analysis of the underlying data, methods and basic assumptions, and the corresponding strengths and limitations of each dataset in simple terms.

Development Gateway and the Government of Moldova Collaborate on a Data Management Plan

This case study documents a data management plan (DMP) established by Development Gateway and the Government of Moldova to collect data on its development and aid programs. It is a useful example of an unsigned data sharing agreement, which can be a valuable alternative for certain data collaborations. The plan was produced through joint-collaborations and negotiations between the Government of Moldova, Development Gateway, and other data contributors. Informed by an interview with Development Gateway and the agreement text, this case study describes how the DMP was formed and highlights key elements of the agreement.

Counting on the World to Act: A Roadmap for Governments to Achieve Modern Data Systems for Sustainable Development

In Counting on the World to Act, TReNDS details an action plan for governments and their development partners that will enable them to deliver the SDGs worldwide by 2030. Our recommendations specifically aim to empower government actors – whether national statisticians, chief data scientists, chief data officers, ministers of planning, or others concerned with evidence in support of sustainable development – to advocate for, build, and lead a new data ecosystem.

Other ResearchTReNDS StaffOctober 7, 2019Counting on the World, data governance

Demystifying Data Sharing: Insights from Key Stakeholders

Contracts for Data Collaboration (C4DC) aims to shed light on the opportunities and challenges inherent to data sharing practices. This insight report draws extensively on interviews with partners and key stakeholders. It aims to break down the complexities and opacity of DSAs as much as possible and to raise awareness of their value and potential, using terms from project partners and development and humanitarian professionals.

Original thought leadership, lessons in data production and use, and critical evaluation of pilot projects.

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