EmpoderaData: Developing data literacy capacity in Latin America

The EmpoderaData project aims to foster data literacy skills in Latin America to address society’s most pressing issues using the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). EmpoderaData, from the Spanish word empoderar “to empower”, builds upon a successful data-driven, research-led internship program in the UK (Q-Step) which trains undergraduates by enabling them to practice data skills in the workplace. The project explored whether the internship model would be applicable within the context of 3 Latin American countries (Brazil, Colombia and Mexico) and established a qualitative baseline of the state of data literacy and existing training programs in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. A workshop was held in São Paulo with thirty participants involved in data literacy advocacy or policy formation, representing civil society, academia, private or public sector. Eighteen qualitative interviews were then undertaken with stakeholders from the three countries. Next, we narrowed our focus to Colombia to explore the challenges and opportunities of developing a pilot data fellowship model in the country. Engaging with national, regional and international capacity development efforts, this highlighted a demand for partnerships between universities and organisations working on the social challenges represented by the SDGs. Partnerships ensure that the in-country data literacy pipeline is strengthened in a home-grown, self-sustaining way, producing a steady flow of data literate social scientists into the institutions and sectors where critical data skills are most needed. We report on how the EmpoderaData project is building such a network of partners in Colombia. Conclusions are (1) the most requested data literacy training need is for basic skills, including introductory statistics, foundation data analysis and methodological skills (2) paid data fellowship models are seen as a useful intervention (3) the notion of a ‘hybrid’ professional to build data literacy capacities for ‘social science’ purposes would be a practical way forward