Pacific data sovereignty

Researchers are encouraged to consider Pacific data sovereignty in grant and ethics applications and throughout the research data lifecycle.

The Pacific Data Sovereignty Network (PDSN) offers a definition of Pacific data and Pacific data sovereignty. Pacific data is described as existing "across terrains residing in traditional knowledge, scientific knowledge, digital spaces, and spiritual realms, which narrates a story of Pacific peoples, and builds on known or assumed facts."

Focus

The PDSN describes Pacific data sovereignty as being focused on:

• Rights and responsibilities to determine the means of collection, access, analysis, management and dissemination of Pacific data or data deriving from Pacific data – inclusive of historical, existing, and impending datasets.
• Producing information from and/or about Pacific peoples is driven by epistemologies, Pacific cultural values, Pacific traditional knowledge systems and Pacific people maintain these.
• Pacific peoples' understanding of what data exists, the sources, access pathways, data management, the purpose of collection, how it was used and how it will be used in future. This will allow for Pacific stewardship of data that is enhancing and not destroying the vitality and wellbeing of Pacific communities and families.
• Acknowledging the source of knowledge and from where data derives. Strategic and legal recognition of the Pacific as stewards of the interests that the data represents. This may entail authority and ownership of data about Pacific, Pacific values, and Pacific interests. Ergo, data is curated and cared for by Pacific people.

Research Data Support Services
Email: researchdata@auckland.ac.nz