CIRPA Professional Development Forum: Data Governance

CIRPA-ACPRI hosted a professional development member forum, focused on data governance. This was an opportunity for higher education professionals to learn about data governance best practices and discuss challenges in the field. The forum included four sessions focused on different aspects of data governance in higher education.

Recordings and presentations can be accessed here with an active paid membership in CIRPA.

The keynote speaker for the event was Alex Leigh, a world leader in higher education data governance. He presented a session on “Data Governance and Education, a match made in…,” exploring the benefits and challenges of managing data as a strategic asset in education. Alex has worked with over 100 organizations, including 54 universities, founded the UK Higher Education Data Governance network, and designed and developed the HEDIIP data capability framework and sector-level governance for reporting.

The second session of the forum focused on the First Nations principles of OCAP® and data sovereignty, which are essential for collective rights. This presentation discussed the data and information infrastructures that First Nations are building to support self-determination and self-governance, including the First Nations Data Centre, the First Nations Data Governance Strategy, and education and training programs.

The third session featured a panel discussion with representatives from four Canadian colleges, exploring the challenges of making data accessible for various stakeholders while ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Panelists offered insights into how data governance is being addressed at their institutions, related challenges, and potential solutions.

The fourth session provided an update on recent data governance program developments from five Canadian universities, including the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, York University, the University of Toronto, and the University of New Brunswick. Panelists spoke to their experiences and insights based on their institutional programs while answering questions about recent accomplishments, lessons learned, and future opportunities.