Exploring stereotypes, bias, and expectations of women in the open data context

Abstract

This study aims to provide a qualitative analysis of the knowledge, beliefs, and perspectives of prominent women working in different sectors in the context of open data. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with an outline developed for the interview script. The content obtained was analyzed by attending to categories that deal directly with a gender perspective, covering existing biases, and possible modes of transformation through actions at individual, collective, and institutional levels that incorporate gender sensitivity when working with open data. The findings show that gender bias persists in the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, as well as in the formation of work groups. The solution, highlighted by all interviewees, involves the development of interoperable and consistent data collection and analysis models that integrate a gender perspective right from the outset, as well as the training of professionals in fields associated with the use of data. Central to this process is the role of government agencies, which should promote efficient public policies giving greater visibility to the roles of women in areas of knowledge associated with open data. Finally, this research also points to the need for innovations such as artificial intelligence to overcome these challenges.

Keywords:

• Open data
• gender perspective
• bias
• artificial intelligence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The raw data generated for this study were deposited in the Zenodo repository and can be consulted through the following link: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10698522.

Additional information

Funding

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Conselleria de Participación, Transparencia, Cooperación y Calidad Democrática. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Universitat Politècnica de València and do not necessarily represent the Generalitat Valenciana. The authors received the ASC postdoctoral grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Training (MS21-020).

Notes on contributors

Lorena R. Romero-Domínguez

Lorena R. Romero-Domínguez, BA and PhD in Journalism. Member of the scientific researcher group “Media, media policy and democracy”. Currently she is Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism at the University of Sevilla, Spain. She was visiting professor in the following Universities: Johannes-Gutenberg Mainz Universität (Germany), Cardiff University (Wales), Konstanz Universität (Germany), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (Germany). She is Co-editor of the academic collection “Communication Sciences” (Editorial Universidad de Sevilla), member of the Observatory of Transparency and Open Data (Polytechnic University of Valencia) and evaluator of the Quality Assurance Agency for the University System in Castilla y Leon and for the Canarian University System. Her main research areas include journalism; Cross-border Investigative Journalism; Media and Communication History; Media Economics, Policy and Regulation; and Open Data and Journalism.

Andrea Sixto-Costoya

Andrea Sixto-Costoya, BA in Social Work; Master in Research Treatment and Associated Pathologies in Drug Addictions; and PhD from the University of Valencia. She is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Work at the University of Valencia. Throughout her career she has obtained prestigious competitive predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, and has carried out different research stays both nationally and internationally. She is part of the Research and Social and Health Information Unit (UISYS group) of the University of Valencia and is a member of the Observatory of Transparency and Open Data (Polytechnic University of Valencia). She has published several articles in journals of international prestige, as well as book chapters. She has participated in competitive research projects related to the areas of addictions, gender perspective in health sciences and open science and open data. At the transfer level, she has been part of agreements with the City Council of Valencia, the Department of Health of the Generalitat Valenciana; and the Department of Participation, Transparency, Cooperation and Democratic Quality of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Antonia Ferrer-Sapena

Antonia Ferrer-Sapena, BA in Geography and History, and PhD in Information Sciences. She is currently Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València. She is chair of the Madphy research group at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and director of the Chair and Observatory of Open Data and Transparency. She is an advisory member of La Ciba (Women’s resource space, innovation and feminist economics), member of the participation group of the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVA), and vice-president of the Tactical Whistleblowers Association. She has directed more than 60 Final Degree Projects and Master’s Theses. Her main lines of research currently focus on open access to scientific knowledge and open research data. She has participated in 30 R&D projects of which she has been Principal Investigator in 7 of them. She has more than 20 participations in contracts, agreements or non-competitive R+D+i projects with public or private administrations or entities. In terms of publications, she has published more than 60 publications in journals and book chapters.