May 2025: The Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) and the Research Data Alliance (RDA) are delighted to announce their agreement to cooperate and coordinate efforts for the benefit of their mutual stakeholders. Whereas the Research Data Alliance (RDA) focuses on research data, and The Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) focuses on the responsible use of data more generally, there are many activities that focus on responsible research data and related methods and infrastructures, and thus coordination between the organisations, particularly focused on synergistic activities, will be beneficial to RDA and EDI and their stakeholders, as well as to the activities themselves.

RDA aims to accelerate international data-driven innovation and discovery by facilitating research data sharing and exchange. This is achieved through the development, adoption, and deployment of infrastructure, policy, practice, standards, and other deliverables. The work of RDA is primarily undertaken through its Communities of Practice (CoPs), Working and Interest groups. Participation in Working Groups (WGs) and Interest Groups (IGs), starting new WGs, IGs and CoPs, and attendance at the RDA community focused plenary meetings is open to all individuals who subscribe to the RDA Guiding Principles 1 and Code of Conduct 2 .

Jointly coordinated by the University of Exeter 3 and the TUM Think Tank 4 , the Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) 5 is 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. The initiative is built on policy and networking, education, and engagement to bring together experiences, foster discussions, and integrate data ethics into the routine practices of various disciplines and sectors. EDI efforts prioritise education as a means of promoting an active ethical approach to all aspects of data work. EDI builds on extensive experience in teaching and researching responsible data work in partnership with a wide network of collaborators around the globe. Contributors span diverse fields ranging from history and philosophy to law, data science, AI ethics, public policy, and technical education, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the EDI. Non-academic contributors include public administration, small and medium enterprises, regional/national/transnational organisations, and other social groups invested in ethical data work. EDI aims to build data confidence and responsible data use across civil society, science and industry, and government; increase equality and inclusivity in the data space; and empower the digital citizens of tomorrow.

“The EDI is delighted and proud to be working alongside RDA towards reliable, resilient and responsible data practices globally. Both EDI and RDA are heavily reliant on volunteer effort, have low budgets and are overburdened and understaffed vis-à-vis their global mission”, points out by Sabina Leonelli, EDI Research Director and Professor of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology, Technical University of Munich, “yet some of the best and most successful initiatives supporting research have these qualities and are part of their strength in recognising the value of community and collaboration.”

Calling for an ethical approach to data work means calling for critical reflection on the realities of data work and the significant challenges they entail. Read more about How to Foster Responsible and Resilient Data: The Ethical Data Initiative 6

“Already in 2024, the RDA and the EDI began discussing collaboration and just one year later signing this MoU is a significant step in formalising that partnership. I see this as an excellent opportunity for the global RDA community to understand more about the importance of ethical data and how research data management should be ethical by design. Who better than to assist with that than the Ethical Data Initiative” says Hilary Hanahoe, Secretary General, Research Data Alliance.