ESRC-Deliver Foundations for a Transformation in Digital Footprint Data

Deliver Foundations for a  Transformation in Digital Footprint Data (ESRC)

Apply for funding to undertake innovative research and proof of concept work to transform how digital footprint data (DFD) is created, accessed and used for the public good.

This opportunity is ESRC’s DigitalFootprints Accelerator Scheme. Through this opportunity we are looking to fund innovative, proof of concept projects that will provide the foundations and knowledge for a transformational shift in how DFD is created, accessed and used.

Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent more than 50% of the research focus and effort.

Foundational aspects which could be developed through this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• methodological development: addressing major challenges around the interpretation and status of DFD, and looking at their strengths and weaknesses in the wider repertoire of social science research methods. For example, this could be with regard to:
  • representativeness
  • uncertainty and provenance
  • bias and understanding of latent and proxy measures or causal insights
• innovative and high impact social science research, using DFD that contributes towards a deeper understanding of using these data
• outreach, promotion and policy engagement at a strategic level, working across government and the wider landscape to influence relevant regulation, policy and strategy
• ethics, and legal development and support
• work to deliver findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable DFD
• training and networking, with outcomes that contribute towards the transformational shift in capability
• work to establish a sustained critical mass of interdisciplinary professional and research capacity, and skills in the management, development and analysis of DFD
• activities enabling the exchange of knowledge between stakeholders, with an interest in using DFD for the public good.

The full economic cost of your project can be up to £500,000 for a period of up to 12 months. ESRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

Please note that this is the outline proposal stage. The deadline is 31 August 2023 at 4pm.

For further information please see: Deliver foundations for a transformation in digital footprint data – UKRI