Become an ODI certified Data Ethics Professional
Our Data Ethics Professionals programme is open to anyone who works with data or has a keen interest in it. Learn the knowledge, skills, and ability to apply tools to help others make better use of data, while minimising harmful impacts. At the end of the course you’ll be a certified Data Ethics Professional.
When you’ve completed the course, you’ll be:
- Recognised as competent in the area of data ethics and the practical steps required to help organisations minimise potential harms that come from data collection, use and sharing.
- Able to think critically about data ethics.
- Ready to apply tools and techniques to analyse the current situation within organisations.
- Equipped to suggest potential actions to minimise risk – be it through process adoption as guided by tools such as the data ethics canvas, or changes to the way the data itself is collected, used, or shared.
The course also offers an optional supplementary Data Ethics Facilitator certification. Facilitators are Data Ethics Professionals recognised as having the skills required to help diverse groups of people address data ethics challenges, via facilitated workshop sessions.
So you can do one – or both.
More about the course
Click on each section to learn more about the course costs, modules, certification and time commitment:
- Be recognised by the ODI as competent in the area of data ethics, and the practical steps required to help organisations minimise potential harms that come from data collection, use, and sharing.
- Be part of a network of professionals, and invited to regular peer learning events.
- Use your certification to create, market and sell services that are aimed at improving data ethics practices in projects and organisations.
- Get access to exclusive content and tools via the ODI Learning Experience Platform (coming in Q4 2021)
Data Ethics Facilitators are Data Ethics Professionals recognised as having the skills required to help diverse groups of people address data ethics challenges via facilitated workshop sessions.
In addition to the benefits available to Data Ethics Professionals you’ll also be:
- Provided priority access to opportunities to collaborate with ODI, its members and clients on commercial work in the area of data ethics.
- Certified to deliver the ODI Data Ethics Canvas workshop on behalf of the ODI.
The course will feature:
- Up to four instructor led training sessions, designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to pass the assessments.
- eLearning that addresses personal data and data licensing.
- An assessment to recognise those who can actively demonstrate the key data ethics skills in a professional context.
- An optional additional assessment for those wishing to add the Data Ethics Facilitator specialism to their Data Ethics Professional certification.
By the end of the programme we expect you to be able to demonstrate:
- A broad understanding of data ethics as a domain.
- Practical expertise in data and techniques to evaluate ethical and legal risks.
- The ability to use a number of tools to help evaluate ethical impacts and suggest actions to minimise harmful impacts from data.
- The ability to help facilitate others through complex data ethics challenges, in workshops. (For those pursuing the additional Data Ethics Facilitators certification).
The assessment framework forms the fundamental basis for how we assess if people have passed the courses. The four outcomes are mapped to criteria which are marked against using the individual assessments on the course.
Data Ethics Professionals have to achieve a minimum of a pass mark in the first three areas.
Data Ethics Facilitators have to achieve a minimum of a pass mark in all four areas.
| Outcome: | Excellent | Good | Pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQF Level 6 - Mastery Advanced knowledge of a field of work or study, involving a critical understanding of theories and principles. Able to solve complex and unpredictable problems in a specialised field of work or study. | EQF Level 5 - Application Comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge within a field of work or study. Able to develop creative solutions to abstract and existing problems. | EQF Level 3/4 - Recall Knowledge of facts, principles, processes and general concepts, in a field of work or study. Able to solve problems by selecting and applying basic and existing methods, tools, materials and information. | ||
| 1) Demonstrate clear understanding of data ethics as a domain. | Advanced knowledge of the whole field of data ethics. Demonstrates high levels of cognitive ability to not only evaluate existing research, but also move the field of data ethics forward with new techniques and creative solutions. | A comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge of data ethics principles, processes, concepts and examples. Able to build upon research from a number of sources in order to evaluate a specific data ethics challenge. Able to suggest practical solutions to a specific data ethics challenge. | A basic grasp on a number of existing well known data ethics principles, processes and general concepts and examples. Able to demonstrate a number of basic research techniques. Able to suggest potential ways forward, but with limited ability to evaluate the application against the data ethics challenges. | No grasp on data ethics. (e.g. confusion between data protection and data ethics) |
| 2) Practical expertise in data and techniques to evaluate ethical and legal risks. | Advanced knowledge and demonstration of practical techniques that affect the ethical collection, use, and sharing of data. Not only draws upon a wide body of research, but also presents a novel piece of research that helps move the area of data ethics forward in relation to the specific case study. and/or Able to synthesise specialised data analysis techniques to evaluate ethics challenges in data in specific domains. | A comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge of practical techniques that affect the ethical collection, use, and sharing of data. Able to draw upon a wide body of research in order to demonstrate practical expertise in specific aspects of data collection, use and sharing that impact the ethical outcomes. and/or Able to apply a wide range of exploratory data analysis techniques to evaluate potential ethical challenges in data in abstract domains. | A basic grasp on a number of high level concepts and their practical impact on the ethical collection, use, and sharing of data. Able to draw upon existing research in order to discuss a number of high level aspects relating to the ethical impacts of data collection, use and sharing. and/or Some basic grasps of a number of exploratory data analysis techniques and their potential impact on the case study. | No practical data skills related to data ethics. (e.g. is only able to discuss high level concepts but not the practical application of these) |
| 3) Use a number of tools to help evaluate ethical impacts and suggest actions to minimise harmful impacts from data. | Advanced knowledge of a number of existing and emerging tools and techniques to address data ethics challenges. Able to synthesise specific solutions and evaluate the impact of each upon the data ethics challenge. | A comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge of practical tools and techniques can help minimise potential harmful impacts from data. Able to evaluate the application of a wide range of tools and techniques to address specific data ethics challenges. Able to make a number of specific practical recommendations related directly to the data ethics challenge. | A basic grasp on a number of existing and well known tools and techniques that can help minimise potential harmful impacts from data. Basic ability to suggest how each tool and technique can be applied to specific data ethics challenges. Able to make a number of high level recommendations relevant to the case study. | No use of tools or existing techniques to address data ethics challenges. (e.g. approach is very ad-hoc and does not clearly draw on relevant frameworks and tools to guide discussion) |
| 4. Ability to lead a discussion session on data ethics. | n/a | n/a | Able to lead a discussion session on data ethics. Able to seek contributions from the group. Makes use of data ethics tools to structure the discussion. Able to create a number of actions and recommendations to take forward. | Unable to lead a discussion session on data ethics. |
To keep your certification you must maintain your ODI membership and earn 120 or more approved credits over a 2-year period.
How to earn credits:
| Activity | Credits | Limit per 2-year period |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of a peer reviewed book, article or other publication focussing on data ethics | 120 | 2 |
| Completed a distinct piece of data ethics consulting using the ODI Data Ethics canvas | 60 | 2 |
| Teaching, lecturing or presenting data ethics in a higher education setting | 60 | 2 |
| Hold an executive or leadership role embedding data ethics practices in an organisation | 60 | 2 |
| Published a blog/case study focuses on data ethics issues and solutions | 30 | 2 |
To become a Data Ethics Professional, you must:
- Attend “programme kick-off”
- Attend “Introduction to Data Ethics and the Data Ethics Canvas” course [2.5 hours]
- Complete mandatory eLearning [Approx 1 hour]
- Attend “Exploratory data analysis and data ethics in practice” course [5.5 hours]
Total commitment: approx 30 hours
In addition to the above, to become a Data Ethics Facilitator you must:
- Attend “programme kick-off”
- Attend “Using the data ethics canvas workshop” [2 hours]
- Attend “Essential facilitation skills for Data Ethics Facilitators” course [4 hours]
- Lead a 30 minute facilitated discussion on a data ethics case study and partake in others sessions [1 day]
- Submit of a reflective evaluation of your session [2 hours]
Total commitment: approx 45 hours
The criteria against which the assessments are marked is available in the Assessment criteria section below.
Starting in September, the course schedule is as follows:
| September 13th 2021 - December 17th | Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Course kickoff and intro | 13th Sep @ 14:00 - 15:00 (BST) (1 hour) | 13th Sep @ 14:00 - 15:00 (BST) (1 hour) |
| Introduction to Data Ethics and the Data Ethics Canvas | 14th Sep @ 10:00 - 12:30 (BST) (2.5 hours) | 15th Sep @ 16:00 - 18:30 (BST) (2.5 hours) |
| Exploratory data analysis and data ethics in practice | 21st Sep @ 09:00 - 15:00 (BST) (6 hours) | 22nd Sep @ 12:00 - 18:00 (BST) (6 hours) |
| Case study submission | October 22nd | October 22nd |
| Professionals awards | November 1st | November 1st |
| Facilitators training | 9th Nov @ 09:00 - 13:00 (GMT) (4 hours) | 10th Nov @ 13:00 - 17:00 (GMT) (4 hours) |
| Facilitators sessions | 23rd Nov @ 09:00 - 17:00 (GMT) (8 hours) | 23rd Nov @ 09:00 - 17:00 (GMT) (8 hours) |
| Facilitators reflections | November 26th | November 26th |
| Facilitators awards | December 17th | December 17th |
Course cost:
- Data Ethics Professionals: £995 + VAT.
- Data Ethics Professionals + Data Ethics Facilitators certification: £1,290 + VAT (first edition exclusive).
1-year individual membership of the ODI is included in the course cost for both.
Get a discount
If you have previously paid and attended the following courses:
- Introduction to data ethics and the Data Ethics Canvas: £100 discounted from the course price.
- Applying Machine Learning and AI Techniques to Data: £200 discounted from the course price.
Extra notes
The course is priced competitively. We cannot guarantee this introductory price in the future.
If you’re already an ODI member don’t worry – you’ll receive your next year of membership free.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to help use data ethics within organisations. It’s suitable for anyone who enjoys being a critical thinker, and doesn’t mind exploring diverse topics including:
- Data rights and data protection legislation
- Evaluating the limitations in data and how it is processed
- Exploring second and third order ethical impacts
- Facilitating balanced discussions in data ethics
How many places/people are on each course?
Each course date will consist of two cohorts, made up of 12 participants per cohort.
Are there any course prerequisites?
No previous experience is required. But it helps if you come with an inquisitive mind and are willing to explore the topics, and learn about them in more detail.
What are the practical course requirements?
Just an internet-enabled laptop or PC, that can access Zoom calls for the teacher lead aspects of the course. That’s all.
Can you tell me more about ODI Courses?
Co-founded by the inventor of the web, Tim Berners-Lee, the ODI offers courses that are friendly, supportive and fun. No question is a silly question in our classrooms, and our expert teachers will arm you with all the practical skills you need for applying what you’ve learnt to the real world.
The majority of the course content is made available to reuse under an open licence.
About this course
This course was created by and is © The Open Data Institute.
Interested in working with the ODI to run a Data Ethics Professional programme in-house?
If you have 50 or more people in your organisation who would benefit from this programme you can submit your interest here.
- Individuals certified as ODI Data Ethics Professionals and Facilitators can use their certification to help promote their expertise in support of creating, marketing and selling services aimed at improving data ethics practices in projects and organisations.
- ODI certification of an individual as a Data Ethics Professional or Facilitator must not be used to suggest the ODI recognises or endorses an organisation, product or services ethical practices. The course equips you to adopt practices that embed ethical thinking around collection, use and sharing of data, not to meet a particular ethical standard.
- Certified individuals must agree to be listed on our network pages along with a picture that clearly identifies them. This enables those engaging an ODI Data Ethics Professional to check their identity and certification status.
- Certified individuals will receive one year of free individual membership to the ODI. To maintain certification, individuals must remain members of the ODI (either as an individual or via organisational membership) and submit evidence that demonstrates enough credit bearing activities have been completed.
- The ODI reserves the right to revoke certification of any individual at any time if individuals or associated organisations are found to be in breach of these conditions.
