On June 30th, IOI hosted a conversation on accountability and oversight in open infrastructure. The conversation provided a space to hear from experts in the field on how they are working to ensure accountability and oversight of data, technology, and infrastructure in academia, research, and beyond. The discussion was part of IOI’s commitment to developing an approach to equity, accountability, and oversight including a dedicated IOI community council. Video of the discussion and details about the new community council on equity and technology oversight are now available.

We are grateful to have been joined by Sarah Lamdan (Professor of Law, CUNY School of Law), Gabrielle Rejouis (Senior Policy Manager, Color of Change), Shea Swauger (head of Researcher Support Services, University of Colorado Denver), and Deepra (Dee) Yusuf (consultant, Karp Strategies). The conversation was moderated by Vanessa Rhinesmith (Executive Director, UCLA's Center for Critical Internet Inquiry).

This conversation served as the kickoff to IOI’s burgeoning commitment to accountability and oversight. The conversation created space to reflect on the Clarivate Analytics announcement as well as discuss IOI’s call for community participation in response efforts. The new Community Oversight Council will work to continue the conversations from June 30th, the Clarivate call to action, and primarily serve as an advising body to the IOI steering committee. This Council will focus on proactive recommendations and activities in service to equitable and just open infrastructure technologies and practices.

There are three ways to be involved with this work (sign up form):

  • join the community council - which will kick off this August and meet monthly
  • serve as an advisor to the council - which will ensure the group is on track
  • join the listserv - which will enable you to stay informed of the work

The purpose of this council is to imagine the role of IOI in oversight by defining core principles and an approach to advocacy. The group will start with reflecting on the current call to action in response to Clarivate as well as follow-up on the conversation and ideas surfaced from the June 30th discussion on privacy, security, and ethical considerations of open infrastructure.

Click here to sign up to join us.

June 30 Webinar participants, from top left clockwise, Vanessa Rhinesmith (UCLA's Center for Critical Internet Inquiry), Gabrielle Rejouis (Color of Change), Sarah Lamdan (CUNY Law School), Shea Swauger (CU Denver), Deepra Yusuf (Karp Strategies).


We have also curated a list of resources mentioned during, and related to, the call for those looking to read and learn more about tech accountability and oversight in open infrastructure.

Pre reading materials

Resources and links from the conversation

Posted by Kaitlin Thaney