Citizen Data Lab

The Citizen Data Lab focuses on data analysis for citizen empowerment. Together with stakeholders from the city, we map out urban surroundings – including the Knowledge Mile. Besides analysing our own data, our lab also undertakes critical reflections on the ethical dilemmas around big data.

The Citizen Data Lab focuses on data analysis for citizen empowerment and is part of Amsterdam Data Science, a partnership between HvA and UvA, VU, and the Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science.

Lab researchers develop new methods and tools to use citizen data. Together with stakeholders from the city, we map out the urban environment – including the Knowledge Mile.

Two methods are used to generate data. Web Data Mapping collects (online) data related to urban issues. Participatory Data Mapping involves users to bring together themes relevant to their own environment. For example, residents are given tools to measure the amount of litter in their neighbourhood, which in turn can influence local behaviour (citizen empowerment).

Besides analysing our own data, our lab also undertakes critical reflections around the ethical dilemmas related to big data. In November 2014, the lab contributed to the first annual domain conference of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. The theme: ‘Privacy in the Domain’.

Citizen Data Lab works on creating sustainable partnerships between the public, commercial parties, local government and urban initiatives – both inside and outside Amsterdam.