[Air-L] CFP: Beyond IRBs -- Designing Ethical Review Processes for Big Data Research

Joseph Jerome jjerome at futureofprivacy.org
Tue Sep 15 09:03:47 PDT 2015


*CALL FOR PAPERS*

*Beyond IRBs: Designing Ethical Review Processes for Big Data Research*

In the age of Big Data, innovative uses of information are continuously
emerging in a wide variety of contexts. Increasingly, researchers at
companies, not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions use
individuals’ personal data as raw material for analysis and research. For
research on data subject to the Common Rule, institutional review boards
(IRBs) provide an essential ethical check on experimentation. Still, even
academic researchers lack standards around the collection and use of online
data sources, and data held by companies or in non-federally funded
organizations is not subject to such procedures. Research standards for
data can vary widely as a result. Companies and non-profits have become
subject to public criticism and may elect to keep research results
confidential to avoid public scrutiny or potential legal liability.

To prevent unethical data research or experimentation, experts have
proposed a range of solutions, including the creation of “consumer subject
review boards,”[1]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftn1>
formal
privacy review boards,[2]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftn2>
private
IRBs,[3]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftn3>
and
other ethical processes implemented by individual companies.[4]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftn4>
Organizations
and researchers are increasingly encouraged to pursue internal or external
review mechanisms to vet, approve and monitor data experimentation and
research. However, many questions remain concerning the desirable structure
of such review bodies as well as the content of ethical frameworks
governing data use. In addition, considerable debate lingers around the
proper role of consent in data research and analysis, particularly in an
online context; and it is unclear how to apply basic principles of fairness
to selective populations that are subject to research.

To address these challenges, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is hosting
an academic workshop supported by the National Science Foundation, which
will discuss ethical, legal, and technical guidance for organizations
conducting research on personal information. *Authors are invited to submit
papers for presentation at a full-day program to take place on December 10,
2015*. Successful submissions may address the following issues:

   - What are the key ethical questions surrounding data-driven research
   and consumer testing? Should analysis of online data be treated differently
   than subject testing generally? Which issues warrant additional review?
   - What lessons can be learned from existing institutional review boards
   (IRBs), including both academic panels and standalone private entities?
   Which features of existing IRB structures are applicable to corporate and
   non-profit big data research?
   - Which existing government or industry practices offer insights into
   how researchers can approach ethical questions for Big Data?
   - How should organizations structure an ethical review process? Which
   substantive requirements and principles should govern it? How should
   organizations ensure independent review? Could review mechanisms be wholly
   internal or must external stakeholders or committees be involved?
   - What is the proper scope of review? While IRBs currently focus on
   human-subject testing, Big Data raises a different set of concerns focusing
   on subsequent analysis and novel uses of data. Which factors are essential
   for consideration in an ethical process?
   - What is the proper role of consent in data-driven research environment?

Papers for presentation will be selected by an academic advisory board and
published in the online edition of the *Washington and Lee Law Review
<http://lawreview.journals.wlu.io/online-edition/>*. Four papers will be
selected to serve as “firestarters” for the December workshop, awarding
each author with a $1000 stipend.

Submissions must be 2,500 to 3,500 words, with minimal footnotes and in a
readable style accessible to a wide audience.

Submissions must be made no later than October 25, 2015, at 11:59 PM ET, to
papersubmissions at futureofprivacy.org. Publication decisions and workshop
invitations will be sent in November. For questions, please contact Joseph
Jerome at jjerome at futureofprivacy.org.
------------------------------



[1]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftnref1>
Ryan
Calo, *Consumer Subject Review Boards: A Thought Experiment*, 66 Stan. L.
Rev. Online 97 (2013).

[2]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftnref2>
White
House Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights Discussion Draft, Section 103(c)
(2015).

[3]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftnref3>
Jules
Polonetsky, Omer Tene, & Joseph Jerome, *Beyond the Common Rule: Ethical
Structures for Data Research in Non-Academic Settings*, 13 Colo. Tech. L.
J. 333 (2015).

[4]
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=12099&action=edit#_ftnref4>
Mike
Schroepfer, CTO, Research at Facebook (Oct. 2, 2014),
http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2014/10/research-at-facebook/.

-- 
*Joseph Jerome* | Policy Counsel

Future of Privacy Forum

1400 Eye Street NW, Suite 450 | Washington, DC 20005

tel. 202.630.8064

@joejerome <https://twitter.com/joejerome> | www.fpf.org
<http://www.futureofprivacy.org>



More information about the Air-L mailing list