In FabRiders’ work, we have researched data literacy, designed and facilitated social learning experiences, and co-created knowledge sharing assets with communities and networks. In the first half of 2018, we co-edited IFRC’s Data Playbook (Beta), which brought together our skills in all of those areas. The approach to identifying the content for the playbook was ‘curate, not create‘, asking humanitarians to share how they helped their organisations and teams be more data-driven. As a result of this approach, we were able to identify 66 pieces of discreet content that we templatised and organised into nine thematic modules that make up the Playbook.
What if we all collaborated on data literacy and building data skills?
In today’s world, everything is a data project. Significant learning from our work on researching data literacy is that data is a team sport. We may not all be good at maths and statistics, but we all have a role to play in helping our teams and organisations be more data-driven and data-informed.
Now that the Playbook is in beta, we are forming a Data Literacy Consortium with our long-time collaborator Heather
Expanding the consortium beyond humanitarians
We have seen the power of engaging humanitarians in a dialogue around achieving data literacy and want to broaden the conversation to include anyone working with data for social good & social justice — especially those who are engaged in utilising data in development, advocacy and activism work. We are striving to build partnerships so that we can benefit and learn from a diversity of perspectives.
Honouring the pioneers
We want to honour that this isn’t the first conversation about data literacy and we aim to learn and build from other’s who have done it already. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for School of Data‘s excellent and hard work on convening a global network of data literacy practitioners in developing curricula.
We’ve also learned from Rahul Bhargava (MIT Center for Civic Media) & Catherine D’Ignazio (Engagement Lab) on their important work on Data Basic & the Data Culture Project.
How can you and your organisation contribute?
Firstly, ask how might your organisation benefit from participating in a consortium around data literacy. Have you developed your own methods:
- To get teams to define a workflow for a data-driven project?
- To drive discussions around ethics and protecting the data your organisation is collecting?
- To explain and exemplify the benefits of data standards?
- To use data in decision making?
Or would you like to know how others are approaching these and other data-related topics?
We’re looking for organisations that want to become part of the conversation around data literacy, that might be willing to trial parts of the Data Playbook and provide feedback and also contribute exercises and methodologies they have developed. We are also looking for opportunities to collaborate on workshops/trainings and data literacy initiatives. Could you provide translations of the playbook content?
Here are some of the proposed activities that we might co-create:
Activity 1: Scale the Data Playbook
- Co-create and transition the Data Playbook Beta to the Data Playbook Version 1
- Get the more extensive, deeper, more straightforward help with content
- Guide the development of content – Advice and support.
- Review the content as we develop it.
- Give Feedback
- Identify existing content for the playbook
- Build contribution paths by the individual, organisation
Activity 2: Workshops/Engagement – Joint training programs
- Building shared content in person and online to reach more data for social good practitioners.
Activity 3: Pilot New Methods
- Long-term mentorship programs
- Developing data-focused networks of practice.
Get Involved
Together with the Centre for Humanitarian Data, and IFRC, we are holding monthly Data Literacy Consortium User Group meetings. Our next meeting will take place on March 27th at 16:00 CET (Check your time zone).
Register & RSVP here to get details on how to join.
Want to have a conversation about the Data Literacy Consortium? Send an email to