CPD144- ABS Symposium on Data Access and Privacy

SSA and ABS are proudly presenting:

The ABS Symposium on Data Access and Privacy

Registration is coming to an end. Last day to register is Dec 9th

This symposium is about public data access and privacy and will bring together key stakeholders from the Australian Public Service and academia to consider recent developments and share experience in enabling data access for research while ensuring confidentiality.

On day 1, we will hear panel discussions from international and Australian experts share their views on ‘the challenge of protecting privacy in public data’ and ‘the case for better access to public sector data’. The final session will be multiple breakout sessions of round table discussions focusing on ‘the future of data sharing’. On day 2, we will hear research and developments and practical experience in confidentiality in the public sector and academia. The presentations focus methods to ensure confidentiality in microdata and aggregate statistics.

Day 1 (December 13 ) –Panel discussions

When agencies collect data, there is an expectation that they will protect the privacy of individuals in the data, but also that they will use the data to provide public benefit. One of the most powerful ways to provide such benefit is to make the data available to researchers, but doing so safely is no simple matter.

The first day of the event will consist of three panels discussing aspects of this balance.

“The balance between privacy and openness in public data”

09:15-09:30- Welcome- Dr David Gruen (The Australian Statistician, ABS) – bio

09:30-10:30- Panel 1: The challenge of protecting privacy in public data

Focus: While public data is a powerful resource, we need to uphold public trust and prevent misuse. Discussion may include the problems of implementing protections while still releasing a useful product, and the cumulative risks that can be hard to measure and control.

Opening: Dr. John M Abowd (Chief Scientist, USCB) – bio and CV

Moderator:Dr David Gruen (The Australian Statistician, ABS) – bio
Panel:

10:30-10:40 Break

10:40-11:40- Panel 2: The case for better access to public sector data

Focus: Safe dissemination and sharing of public data enables a wide variety of researchers to deliver clear and measurable public benefits. The panel may discuss some of the outcomes that have resulted from existing data releases as well as potential future projects.

Opening: Professor Felix Ritchie - bio

Moderator: Ms Teresa Dickinson (Deputy Australian Statistician, ABS) – bio

Panel:
Susan Calvert(Office of the National Data Commissioner)
Dr Felix Ritchie(UWE Bristol)
Prof Nicholas Biddle (Centre for Social Research and Methods, ANU)

11:40-11:50 Break

11:50-12:50- Panel 3: The future of data sharing

Focus: What are the steps to finding the balance between the privacy risks and public benefits of our data?
What is the way forward for public agencies as public attitudes towards
data change?

Moderator:Marcel van Kints  (Chief Data Officer, ABS) - bio

Panel:
Participants from Panels 1 and 2
(subject to availability)
Kristen Stone (ABS)

12:50-13:00-Day 1 closing Dr Anders Holmberg (Chief Methodologist, ABS) - bio

Days 2 -3 (December 14 -15) – Presentations and case studies

Public data is disseminated in many forms, to many different users. For the agency releasing the data, there are many dimensions involved to make this process safe, including statistical and
technological protections as well as political and cultural considerations.

The presentations on days 2 and 3 of the Symposium will include examples of Australian public agencies navigating these challenges in a variety of contexts, and leading research into methods that
can help these agencies release more data with confidence.

Dec 14 “Research and developments in safe data in the public sector”

09:15-09:30 Day 2- opening: Dr Anders Holmberg (Chief Methodologist, ABS) - bio

09:30-10:30 Session 1 Case studies in sharing public data

Facilitator:

Dr Joseph Chien
Kirsty Leslie( AIHW )
Adam Rowland ( Dept of Health )

10:30-10:40 Break

10:40-11:40 Session 2 Developments in differential privacy

Facilitator:

Chris Mann
Dr Parastoo Sadeghi ( UNSW )
Olya Ohrimenko ( Uni of Melbourne)

11:40-11:50 Break

11:50-12:20 Breakout discussions

12:20-12:30 Day 2-conclusion: Dr Anders Holmberg

 
Dec 15 “Research and developments in safe data in the public sector”

09:15-09:30 Day 3- opening: Dr Anders Holmberg

09:30-10:30 Session 3 Methods and mechanisms for safe
data release

Facilitator:

Chris Mann
Dr Joseph Chien ( ABS )
Dr Ian Oppermann ( NSW Customer Service )

10:30-10:40 Break

10:40-11:40 Session 4- Accessing public data

Facilitator:

Dr Joseph Chien
Andrew Carter ( ATO )
Wolfgang Hertel ( ABS )

11:40-11:50 Break

11:50-12:20 Breakout discussions

12:20-12:30 Day 3- conclusion: Dr Anders Holmberg 

This event is free but you do need to register.