Shaping the Future of Data: How Statisticians Can Contribute to Data Space Development.

Music City Center 

Room: CC-207B 

This panel discussion explores the transformative potential of common data spaces and the critical role statisticians can play in their evolution and implementation. These frameworks, exemplified by the European Union's ambitious European Data Spaces Initiative, aim to create secure, interoperable, and privacy-preserving environments for data exchange. They hold immense promise for fostering innovation, advancing research, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

While "data spaces" are prominently associated with EU initiatives, similar efforts are underway globally, including in the United States. Though not explicitly labeled as such, these initiatives aim to build ecosystems for integrating and utilizing diverse datasets across sectors. However, the design and governance of these spaces are often driven by technology stakeholders, industry consortia, and data governance bodies, with limited involvement from the statistical community.

This limited engagement poses a significant challenge. Data spaces offer statisticians unparalleled opportunities: access to high-quality, standardized, and diverse datasets that can revolutionize statistical research by enabling advanced analyses, identifying complex trends, and developing innovative methodologies. Yet, the absence of statisticians in these efforts risks sidelining academic research, official statistics, and evidence-based policymaking in their development.

The session will argue for greater involvement by statisticians-both academic and governmental-in shaping data spaces. Their expertise in data interoperability, openness, and governance is essential to:
- Integrate rigorous quality standards into data spaces.
- Advocate for transparency, fairness, and academic freedom in governance models.
- Enhance data spaces' utility for research, public policy, and innovation.
By drawing on the experience of the statistical community, particularly official statisticians, data spaces can better serve the needs of both the broader data community and researchers and policymakers.

To illustrate these ideas, the session will feature a case study on the conceptual design of a National Quality Infrastructure Data Space. This example will highlight how data spaces can address sector-specific needs, showcasing challenges and opportunities related to interoperability, stakeholder collaboration, and governance. The case study will anchor the discussion, providing participants with a practical framework to explore broader applications and implications.

Themes for Discussion:
- The potential of data spaces to drive innovation, economic growth, and statistical research.
- The pivotal role of statisticians in data governance, quality, and interoperability.
- Strategies for engaging professional statistical associations and national statistical offices.
- The importance of international collaboration for aligning standards and methodologies.
- Addressing challenges in balancing data privacy, accessibility, and usability.

This panel seeks to foster a collaborative dialogue on how statisticians can shape the future of data spaces. By sharing practical insights and innovative ideas, the session will inspire proactive contributions from statisticians to ensure these initiatives realize their vast potential. Audience participation will be encouraged to explore diverse perspectives and build a shared vision for creating inclusive, effective, and transformative data spaces.

Innovation

Data space

Economic research 

Yes

Government Statistics Section

Committee on Privacy and Confidentiality

International Statistical Institute