Monash Net Zero Precinct
Monash Data Futures Institute ▪ 2020 - 2021
Between 2020 and 2021, Monash Data Futures Institute carried out a participatory data governance process exploring the governance of data related to sensor networks, smart grids and other technologies that might be used to deliver a carbon Net Zero University.
The process involved local residents, university students and staff, and government and industry members who have a connection to a single local precinct and generated ideas or designs concerning the collection, analysis, and re-use of data by future technology adoption in the Net Zero precinct.
The process adopted both individual and collective data governance lenses and involved the following components:
Monash Net Zero: Participant recruitment
Monash Net Zero: Workshops
“We held a series of two participatory engagement workshops to create inclusive learning environments for precinct citizens to discuss opportunities for mutual value creation and concerns about data collection, use and ownership, and start to understand diverse needs.”
The first workshop introduced issues around data governance “as a process for managing value generation, control and collective good.” and included Zoom/Miro based post-it note activities to look at (a) “Perceptions (what we think happens); (b) Practices (what we currently do); (c) Expectations (how things should be); and (d) Uncertainties (what we want to know).”
The second workshop used rapid prototyping methods, and ‘How might we?” questions, then prioritised into four worked-up ptotype ideas for “a process, service, program, vision, tool or resource.”
There were 25 participants (Open and Intentional recruitment).
Participants were recruited through the participant recruitment component.
Background information was given through expert presentations.
“Community engagement in data governance was presented through case studies on bicycle safety, urban ecology and emissions reductions.”
Monash Net Zero: Multicriteria mapping (MCM)
Interviewees were presented with the prototypes developed in the workshop phase. They were asked to self-select criteria by which to evaluate the options, and then to provide pessimistic and optimistic scoring, and to weight their assessments.
Quantitive and qualitative evidence from the interviews was analysed using specialist MCM software tools.
There were 10 participants (Restricted).
Participants were recruited from workshop participants, along with one additional participant.
Background information was given through written briefing materials (online or as handouts).
“Interview participants were emailed a briefing package in advance which provided an overview of the MCM process and the options (the four prototypes that were developed through the preceding workshops) to be evaluated in terms of addressing the “focal goal”: how can we empower community engagement in data governance for the NZP [Net Zero Precinct]?”