The Data Inquiries Initiative (http://datainquiries.publicdatalab.org/) proposes a new way to do research with data and to teach data literacy. It suggests, in particular, to shift the attention away from data and technologies and to the social and political implications of data research. It currently comprises the elements described below. In order to facilitate comprehension of this novel approach, introduction and instruction files are also present.

Syllabus Example: Data Inquiry Course This course explores the consequences of the digital traceability of collective phenomena with a critical and empirical approach. Considering a variety of computational methods, it offers first-hand experience of digital quantification, examining its potential, but also its shortcomings and biases. Students will learn techniques of data collection, corpus cleaning, exploratory analysis, network analysis, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and information visualization. Working in groups, they will apply these techniques to actual societal situations. Through this experience, they will be led to consider reflexively the insights of the transdisciplinary field of critical data studies.

Workshop Example: Data Sprints A crucial element of the Data Inquiry approach is the collaboration between the expert/apprentice data scientists and the actors engaged in actual societal situations. This collaboration helps the data scientists to consider not only the technical dimension of their intervention, but also the context in which it takes place and the conditions that can make it more than a simple exercise of technical skill. Civil society groups, for their part, will find not only help in the collection and treatment of data, but more importantly a fresh perspective on how their action can exploit digital records.

Project Example: The Fake News Field Guide

Projects clearinghouse/greenhouse Besides providing resources for organising data sprints and teaching data literacy through a societally situated approach, Data Inquiries will also serve as a space for generative encounters between students, data scientists and civil society groups. More specifically the website is meant to function as a clearinghouse where societal actors can describe the objectives of their data projects and define the kind of contribution they seek and where students and experts can find occasion for practicing data research in real-life situations.