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What is data cosmopolitanism?
We live in a world rich in data. This talk seeks to revive the philosophical tradition of cosmopolitanism to rethink some of the challenges associated with data governance. Although data cosmopolitanism can be applied to a wide variety of data types, this talk will focus on health data. Previously, I defined data cosmopolitanism as “a normative ideal aimed at addressing global data injustices, promoting data solidarity across the world, and fostering international cooperation on data initiatives to improve global health” (Rueda et al., 2025). This talk aims to broaden our understanding of the nature, benefits, and trade-offs of data cosmopolitanism. In doing so, it brings cosmopolitan philosophy into dialogue with global health ethics to examine the duties surrounding the collection, management, and sharing of data while considering the interests of the global community. In addition, I will critically contrast data cosmopolitanism with two competing positions: data nationalism and data regionalism. Unlike both approaches, data cosmopolitanism maintains that justice, solidarity, and cooperation are not confined to a specific country or region but should extend globally. Finally, the talk will conclude by addressing potential objections and acknowledging the limitations of data cosmopolitanism in a world marked by heated geopolitical tensions, a competitive global data economy, and the absence of robust global governance structures.
This is a hybrid seminar. If you would like to register to join online, please complete the form below:
forms.office.com/e/vUeSPgGnq8
Date:
28 April 2026, 14:00
Venue:
Big Data Institute, Old Road Campus OX3 7LF
Venue Details:
Lower Ground Seminar Room 0 OR Zoom
Speaker:
Jon Rueda (President’s Cabinet and the Ethics in Research Department, Spanish National Research Council)
Organising department:
Ethox Centre
Organiser:
Olivia Lush (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
admin@ethox.ox.ac.uk
Host:
The Ethox Centre
Part of:
Ethox Centre Seminars
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Public
Editors:
Aileen Mooney,
Shakira Morar,
Olivia Lush
