www.opendataresearch.

org

Open data: infrastructures and ecosystems

Tim Davies (University of Southampton) A worked example based on the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI)
Drawing on participant observation, discussions with data users, and analysis of open source components

Raw data now!

But raw data is rarer, and less useful, that you might think
Data portal (with API) Common standard (XML)
Custom output
Mapping vocabularies Data conversion

Construction involves choices and trade-offs

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build apps here

Data on development aid projects

Se da nd to ta. gov : .uk

UK DFID Data

World Bank Data

Swedish aid data

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API Data store Data portal XML Standard

Data Data Data

The 'standard model' of open data envisages pre-existing datasets that are being given open licenses and then placed online through data portals.
Choices prioritise certain uses
used by policy makers used by active citizens send data extracts to

But in practice, open data often involves the construction of new datasets, the development of common standards, and creation of tools to facilitate access to the data.
drives mobile apps used by aid beneficiaries used by research analyst

This constitutes the creation of an infrastructure: most uses of the data come to rely on these components. When infrastructure breaks down, the whole system breaks down.
Sustainable ecosystems remain rare so far...

linkeddevelopment.org
visualise

generate organisational aid portals

feedback to...

store in csv conversion tool convert to RDF

link to research dataasets

404 app not found

normalise into relational DB

store in XML database

Data portal XML Standard

broken conversion

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On top of this infrastructure, different groups of actors may build platforms or tools that use the available open data. These can come to constitute distinct eco-systems of inter-related components, adding value to open datasets, and specialising to serve particular goals.

When ecosystems break down, users relying on them area affected. Nontechnical users are particularly reliant on intermediary ecosystems. Ecosystems may compete with each other for resources and support.

Open data for inclusive governance: exploring the social life of data
PhD study: 2013 - 2015. Planning stages.
Overarching context Technical | Economic | Social | Political | Legal | Organisational Use Open Data Supply Intermediary

Using a comparative case study approach exploring open data in use in various contexts this study will trace the socio-technical ow of datasets into particular governance settings (e.g. budget allocation; environmental monitoring; urban planning policy). It seeks to understand: - How far does open data support more inclusive models of governance: where those affected by a decision inuence it?

Use

Use

Failed use

- Are different infrastructures and ecosystems needed for commercial and civic uses of open data? Or do they have a symbiotic relationship? - What sustainability strategies are available for governance-enabling open data ecosystems?

Governance setting

= ow of data

www.opendataimpacts.net
Feedback? Questions? Tweet @timdavies / Email tim.davies@soton.ac.uk