Integrative big and thick data approaches for development
| Dates: | 28 April 2021 |
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| Times: | 09:30 - 11:00 |
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| What is it: | Webinar |
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| Organiser: | Global Development Institute |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, External researchers, Adults, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Mamello Thinyane, Maesy Angelina, Alex Orenstein, Basma Albanna |
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Big data, which is large datasets generated from digital devices and sensors (e.g. social media, mobile data and remote sensing data) are creating new possibilities to transform development research and policy. However, such data are usually decontextualized data which decrease the meaning and value that can be extracted from it.
More traditional thick data collected through qualitative and ethnographic methods could rescue big data from this context-loss as they are better able to explain the why and how of what is happening. This session will focus on approaches that can be used to mix analytical insights from both big and thick data to develop a better understanding of development challenges and solutions.
Register for the event here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMucO6vqzMqHtUIC97aFIGBXXOmReG_-Nsd
Full schedule:
9:30 - 9:40: Welcome and introductions
9:40-10:40: Panel Presentations
Mamello Thinyane (United Nations University institute in Macau): "All data are equal, but some data are more equal than others"
Maesy Angelina (Pulse Lab Jakarta): "Shaping Development and Humanitarian Action in the Digital Age"
Alex Orenstein (DaCarte): "Mapping livestock herd movements in the Sahel"
Basma Albanna (University of Manchester): "Data Powered Positive Deviance: combining traditional and non-traditional data to identify and understand outperformance"
10:40-11:00: Questions and Discussion
This is the second in a set of three webinars this semester on the theme of 'Big Data and Global Development', organised by researchers in the Centre for Digital Development and the Agrarian Change and Political Ecology research group, both part of the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester. Building on this year's World Bank World Development Report 'Data for Better Lives', we aim to explore some of the potentials and risks of big data from a global development perspective. If you have questions or suggestions for further events on this theme, please do get in touch at basma.albanna@manchester.ac.uk.
Speakers
Mamello Thinyane
Role: Principal Research Fellow
Organisation: United Nations University Institute, Macau
Maesy Angelina
Role: Social Systems Lead
Organisation: Pulse Lab Jakarta
Alex Orenstein
Role: Data Scientist
Organisation: DaCarte
Basma Albanna
Role: Doctoral Researcher
Organisation: Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester
Travel and Contact Information
