Data Governance, Regulation and Infrastructure

• Data Regulations in the European Union: Research on data governance and regulations in the European Union examines the legal and policy frameworks that regulate the collection, processing, and storage of data within the EU, as well as their extra-territorial impact. Key areas of focus include cross-border data flows, ethical considerations in data use, and compliance challenges. Additionally, this research explores the geopolitical dynamics of major global actors in the data economy and the implications of these developments on the Global South, highlighting the complexities of data governance in an interconnected world.

  Ongoing project: Jean Monnet Module on “Digital Democracy and Data Governance in the European Union”, funded by European Educational and Cultural Executive Agency, European Commission

  Students involved: Sujal Deoda

• Data Centres and the Public Good: This theme focuses on examining the role of data infrastructure in India, particularly in relation to the public good. It aims to identify critical policy gaps and their implications for democracy and citizens' rights, especially in the context of data privacy and access. This research also explores the political economy of data centres, considering the economic and social costs and benefits, particularly for marginalised sections of society. By analysing the intersection of data infrastructure, policy, and social equity, the theme seeks to understand how the expansion of data centres can both empower and potentially exclude vulnerable populations.

  Ongoing project: “Data Centres and Public Good: Locating Critical Policy Gaps in the Data Infrastructure in India” in collaboration with IIT Bombay and the University of Queensland, Australia; funded by IHub Data

  Students involved: Siddhi Wadekar

• Policies for Data Infrastructures: This research theme examines the policies shaping the development and governance of data infrastructures. It focuses on issues such as access to critical resources, data storage and processing capacities, and the growing energy demands of digital systems. The theme also explores how national and global policy frameworks influence the distribution of infrastructure capabilities, highlighting disparities between countries and assessing pathways for building resilient, sustainable and equitable data ecosystems.

Faculty involved: Aakansha Natani