Event Report: Open Data Camp

The Open Data (un)conference explores the different usages of Open Data.

The Open Data Camp is an event focused on open data, data sharing, and how to make data more accessible and useful for the public, businesses, and governments. It's usually organized as an "unconference," where participants shape the agenda by proposing and voting on sessions they want to attend or lead.

Becky McMillan and Megan Lawless from the Manchester Digital Strategy Team participated in this unusual conference. Here are Becky’s reflections on the day.

Could a conference shrouded in a little mystery be worth getting out of bed on a Saturday morning?

With no clue as to the topics or speakers that might appear on the agenda, the Digital Strategy team ventured into the unknown last weekend for our first “unconference” experience at Open Data Camp 9.

Any guest at an unconference can pitch a talk shaped by the event's broader themes. As pitchers present to the other guests, a timetable for the day slowly emerges.

(Contrary to our assumptions, pitchers are not eliminated X-Factor style; through merging sessions & splitting rooms, everyone gets the chance to speak!)

The unconference model can be more inclusive than a traditional conference by providing a platform for speakers who may not otherwise have opportunities to share their ideas in front of a large audience. With talks delivered by speakers at all stages of their careers & representing a variety of different sectors, an unconference can provide a window into different philosophies, experiences, & ways of working. Attending an unconference can guarantee an introduction to new voices & open up fresh approaches to shared challenges.

Topics at Open Data Camp 9 certainly lived up to that description, with speakers presenting on topics as eclectic as:

- AI chatbots
- Priorities for a new Labour government
- An interrogation of whether we have too much open data!

With so much choice, opting for an introduction could never be a bad place to start.

• In simple terms, open data is accessible to the public, and can be freely used, reused, & redistributed. "Open Data 101" delivered a useful overview of this definition, how data might be used and accessed, as well as common challenges. One such challenge is the need for greater support for data community roles in local government. While volunteer communities are creating incredible tools to drive transparent access to data, what more could be achieved with greater institutional support & resources?
  

• Our second session of the day, delivered by Valtech's John Spanton, examined how data might be used to improve the accessibility of transport. There are an estimated 16 million disabled people in the UK, but over 90% still encounter problems while travelling. Although data could inform service design to improve travel experiences, it is not always freely accessible. Discussion suggested that a cultural shift could be necessary to drive meaningful change, with an introduction of baseline standards to ensure that all travellers are able to access comfortable, safe, & easily accessible journeys.

Events like Open Data Camp are essential to creating space for honest discussions around issues that are important to our tech communities, & the ways in which we can work together to make Manchester a better place for people to live.

We’ve been incredibly proud to sponsor Open Data Camp this year, & can’t wait to see the next steps that come out of the event!