Join us for the next edition of the Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series, presented by the Ethical Data Initiative, CoARA-ERIP, CODATA IDPC, and the EOSC-Future-RDA Artificial Intelligence and Data Visitation Working Group.

Wednesday 23 April, 2025 @12h00-13h30 CEST/ 10h00-11h30 UTC (11h00-12h30 BST)

In an era marked by rapid digitisation and technological advancement, the volume of data generated by research has surged dramatically. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) components, and digital sensors have contributed to the exponential growth of data, with recent statistics indicating that an astounding 90% of the world’s data was generated in just the last two years (Source: Statista).

The integration of data-driven technologies into research practices has profoundly transformed research culture, influencing how researchers approach their work, collaborate, and share findings. This evolution intertwines digitisation with open science, leveraging technology to facilitate innovative scientific inquiry. Many academic disciplines have transformed due to these advancements, allowing researchers to collect vast amounts of data and generate accurate results, sometimes in real time.

AI technologies can also be used to enhance research efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, including data collection, analysis, and initial report drafting. As a result, researchers can focus on the more complex elements of their studies, nurturing a culture of innovation. Furthermore, AI algorithms excel at identifying patterns and trends within datasets, uncovering insights that propel fields forward.

However, the integration of data and AI into research cultures is not without its challenges. Ethical considerations, such as data privacy, consent, and potential biases in AI algorithms, must be thoughtfully navigated to maintain integrity in the research community. Additionally, an overemphasis on quantitative metrics may overshadow qualitative insights, distorting the research landscape and prioritising numerical data over human context and experience.

Understanding the delicate balance between harnessing technological advancements and addressing ethical considerations is crucial for cultivating a responsible research environment. To this end, an interdisciplinary panel of research governance experts will delve into pivotal questions surrounding the impact of AI and digitisation on interdisciplinary research collaboration.  

The Research Assessment for Ethics, Data and AI Discussion Series, presented by the Ethical Data Initiative, CoARA-ERIP, CODATA IDPC, and the EOSC-Future-RDA Artificial Intelligence and Data Visitation Working Group, provides a pioneering platform for stimulating dialogue on the need for reform in research assessment practices. This collaborative initiative brings together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners for a series of engaging discussions and interactive sessions. The goal is to empower stakeholders with knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of research assessment in an increasingly digital world.

Join us as we explore the challenges and benefits that data and AI bring to research culture, and witness how research culture continues to evolve in this digital landscape.

Panelists

Dr. Millicent Mboya is a seasoned Human Resource and Organisational Development expert with over nine years of experience in academia, research governance, and community engagement. She holds a PhD in Human Resource Management from JKUAT, Kenya, alongside a Master’s in Organisational Development and a Bachelor of Divinity from St. Paul’s University. A passionate advocate for open science and responsible research assessment, she actively contributes to international initiatives including CoARA-ERIP, FORCE11, and the Barcelona Declaration.

Dr. Mboya has coordinated multi-campus research defenses, led stakeholder engagement efforts, and contributed to governance and policy development in research communities. Her consulting work spans HR strategy, talent management, and institutional capacity-building across Africa. With a rich background in leadership, project coordination, and academic supervision, she is committed to fostering ethical, inclusive, and innovative research environments. Her dynamic experience and strategic vision position her to effectively manage and grow communities around open research information.

Dr. Angeliki Tzouganatou is a Research Project Manager and Open Infrastructure specialist at OpenAIRE AMKE. She is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the OPERAS Research Infrastructure and an external expert evaluator for the European Commission. Her professional experience spans teaching, contributing to prestigious research projects, and working with cultural heritage institutions.

Angeliki earned her PhD from the University of Hamburg as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, focusing on “Openness and Fairness in the Digital Ecosystem: Addressing the Participation Gap in Cultural Knowledge Production.” She also holds an MSc in Digital Heritage from the University of York.

Moderator: Kathryn Bailey, Professor of Research Governance Partnerships at the University of Exeter and Operations Director of the Ethical Data Initiative.

Previous Titles in the Series

Research Assessment in the Digital Environment

About the Groups and Initiatives Behind the Series

The Coalition for the Advancement of Research Assessment’s Working Group on Ethics and Research Integrity Policy in Responsible Research Assessment for Data and Artificial Intelligence (CoARA-ERIP) addresses the need for the integration of research ethics and research integrity into digital research practices and the evaluation of scientific research engaging digital transformative tools and (eventually) evaluated by AI. The primary objectives of ERIP are to develop policy, methods, and tools that contribute to ethical and responsible research assessment practices in the context of data and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) International Data Policy Committee (IDPC) is the key instrument by which CODATA pursues its mission of promoting effective and appropriate policies for Open Science and FAIR data.

The mission of the EOSC-Future-RDA Artificial Intelligence and Data Visitation Working Group is to contribute to building the ethical, legal, social, and technical frameworks for Artificial Intelligence while examining the potential of data visitation to bridge challenges for the open sharing and re-use of data in the framework of Open Science.

The Ethical Data Initiative is jointly coordinated by the University of Exeter and the TUM Think Tank. We are a non-partisan platform fostering open discussions on data ethics, informed significantly by philosophical, historical, and social studies of science, with a focus on equity and engagement across different domains of data work for public interest.