"Open Data for Everybody: Using Open Data for Social Good" is an eye-opening journey into the world of open data and its power to drive positive change. Written in a conversational and accessible style, this book breaks down the complex concepts of open data, making them understandable to everyone, from community activists to policymakers.
Through personal stories, real-world examples, and a touch of humor, the author guides readers through the fundamentals of open data, its role in bridging the digital divide, and the process of making data open and freely available. You'll learn practical strategies for crafting outreach initiatives that truly resonate with people, leveraging open data for fundraising, and navigating the often-confusing realms of data security, compliance, and ownership.
But this book goes beyond just the basics. It tackles thought-provoking questions about the role of data-driven decision-making in fostering collaborative communities, the impact of trust (or mistrust) in institutions on digital strategies, and the harsh realities of misinformation and how to combat it.
Through captivating case studies, you'll discover how open data has been used for environmental activism, improving accessibility for disability charities, and much more. And we do not shy away from addressing the challenges posed by AI, deep fakes, cybercrime, and bias, offering practical strategies for data self-defense.
Finally, you will also find a full workshop manuscript so you can run your own event, training your colleagues, community members, or peers on making open data accessible and encouraging a co-designed and collaborative approach to outreach.
"Open Data for Everybody" is more than just a book about data; it's a call to action for grassroots activists, non-profit professionals, community organizers, and anyone curious about the power of open data to create meaningful change. With a blend of activism, journalism, and creative communication techniques, this book is a comprehensive resource that will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the ever-evolving data landscape and turn your passion into impact.
Whether you're a seasoned data enthusiast or a complete newcomer, this book will open your eyes to the transformative potential of open data and inspire you to become a part of the movement towards a more transparent, collaborative, and equitable world.
Nathan Coyle is a British digital activist and former Director of a leading civic innovation organization. Currently, he leads on Peace Technology for The Austrian Centre for Peace in Vienna. With a wealth of international experience, Nathan has partnered with governments across the globe, both local and central, to enhance their digital outreach efforts. He employs innovative strategies like hackathons, toolkit design, civic tech, and human-centred design. He has conducted talks and lectures across Europe on the subject of making open data and smart cities more accessible. This includes a TEDx talk and contributions to various publications such as The Huffington Post, The Guardian, and Vice Media. Nathan is also a keen developer and graphic designer, striving to instill creativity in every aspect of policy design.
"Open Data for Everybody" his love letter to open data and its transformative power for change. In his debut book, Nathan Coyle argues that access to technology is not merely a luxury but a fundamental human right. Drawing from his own childhood experiences, where his family depended on community organizations for support, Coyle emphasizes the need to protect civil society and voluntary organizations at all costs. With extensive experience working with community workers to Government Ministers across the world, Coyle brings a wealth of tried and tested experience and research to his advocacy for open data.
This book illustrates how open data can increase community resilience and provides practical guidance on its implementation. From England to the United States, from Kosovo to Kenya, Coyle demonstrates how open data can be utilized effectively in diverse settings to empower communities and drive positive social change.
Open data is perfect for activists, whether you are campaigning for the environment, advocating for changes in your local community, or basing your articles or blogs on facts and figures that nobody can argue with, not even your local representatives. Activism is essential to social change, and it always starts with you.
Misinformation is the bane of modern society. From vaccine hesitancy in Africa to elections in North America, we have seen the real extent of the damage it can cause. Now, with the rise of AI, we have to make the case not only to base our arguments on facts but also to encourage our decision-makers to follow suit.
Working in local government, regardless of your position, from outreach officer to senior staff, you all have the power to make your society more inclusive and fair, including giving a platform to your citizens to influence policy. Better outreach isn't impossible and is highly actionable; you just need to embrace it.
Open Data can help you spread the love regarding community resilience, from creating citizen-driven ecosystems to helping fund projects based on local data and even creating your own open data to share.
In terms of where we live, our third sector is arguably the lifeblood of what keeps us together. So, whether you are a citizen, activist, government worker, or elected official, it's important that we agree that those organizations must be protected at all costs. This poster can help spread the word.
Like the artwork? Show your passion for using open data for social good in your home or office.
If you are looking for press inquiries, interview or talk requests, or sales information within your global region, you can use one of the contacts below:
Contact | ||
Nathan Coyle (Author) | nathan.j.e.coyle@gmail.com | |
Becky Parker-Ellis (Press Enquiries) | Becky.Parker-Ellis@tandf.co.uk | |
Sales Contacts (in your region) | Visit Page |