Researchers from the Observatory for
Monitoring Data-Driven Approaches to Covid-19 (OMDDAC) have published three Snapshot Reports following a study part-led by academics at Northumbria University which seeks
to capture lessons learned from the experiences of key stakeholders involved in
data-driven responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
OMDDAC is funded the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as
part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI’s) rapid response to COVID-19. Led
by Dr Marion Oswald from Northumbria Law School in partnership with the Royal
United Services Institute (RUSI), the research has focused upon legal, ethical,
policy and operational challenges of using technology and data-driven solutions
to the pandemic. Researchers looked at three key areas: (1) data-driven public
policy, (2) technology-driven approaches to public health, such as the NHS Covid-19
contact tracing app; the QCovid algorithm; and digital Covid-status
certifications and (3) policing and public
safety.
In sharing their experiences during interviews with OMDDAC
researchers, some stakeholders identified an over-risk averse attitude to
public sector data sharing, which may have hindered the public health benefits
of the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app. Sneha Dawda, RUSI research fellow and
lead author of the health report, commented: “Our research suggests there
should be a longer-term evaluation of the consequences of a decentralised
approach on public health aims, and the safeguards and governance frameworks
that would be needed to generate trust in a centralised model in the future.”
OMDDAC researchers also made
a number of recommendations applicable across the three areas. These include a
need for greater transparency in publishing data, and a clearer rationale
behind decisions made based on this data. The quality of the data and how it is
used between different systems have presented challenges, particularly when
national and local responses crossover. OMDDAC’s researchers also found that extensive
monitoring and evaluation of data-driven tools are fundamental to their success
across all areas of the research focus.
Rachel Allsopp, Research
Fellow from Northumbria Law School and lead author of the public policy report,
explained: “Data-driven solutions have been central across the spectrum of
pandemic responses in the UK. For example, combining digital health datasets
within a single dashboard, use of communications data to map trends, monitoring
of quarantine behaviour by drones and automated number plate recognition, and
access to Bluetooth data for contact tracing.
“The technology involved has also
been developed at speed. While this is understandable, adopting technology without appropriate consideration of the
contextual background and resulting interventions brings with it a high risk of
errors, limited efficacy and unintended consequences for individuals. These
risks are particularly pronounced for already disadvantaged sections of the
population with low levels of trust in government.”
Ardi Janjeva, research
analyst at RUSI and the lead author of the policing snapshot report, added: “The
pandemic has resulted in new ways of monitoring crime and enforcement trends
giving indications of where and when disproportionate levels of policing may be
occurring. These initiatives have much
potential for the future and policing bodies should look to develop such best
practice nationally.”
Dr Marion Oswald, OMDDAC’s principal investigator, said ‘OMDDAC is
an integrated interdisciplinary collaboration, and these reports reflect
contributions from all of our researchers. Methods of remote interviewing
and engagement have no doubt expanded the range of individuals and
organisations that the project has been able to reach. We are very
grateful to all our interviewees for contributing their time to the
project.’
OMDDAC is a collaboration
between Northumbria and RUSI, including researchers with technology law, data
protection law, medical law, practical ethics, computer science, data science,
applied statistics in health, technology studies and behavioural science
expertise. Project partners and advisers include the Ada Lovelace Institute,
CDEI, medConfidential and Lord Jonathan Evans of Weardale.
