Data...for What?!

In Episode 3 of Season 4 of the Data…for What?! Podcast, we examine the role interoperability plays in trust, safety, and elections. Recorded during 2024 – often described as the “Year of Global Elections” – this episode explores how digital systems for voter registration, verification, and results transmission shape public trust in electoral processes. While we’re publishing this conversation in 2026, the challenges discussed remain pressing: fragmented systems, data security risks, and limited public understanding of election technologies. We’re joined by Matt Bailey, the Senior Global Advisor, Cyber and Information Integrity at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and Katya Vogt, Director of Online Safety Initiatives at IREX. Together, we discuss how interoperable data and systems can support transparency and integrity in elections, and where they may also introduce new risks for trust and safety. Credits Host: Beverley Hatcher-Mbu Producers: Wakini Njogu, Beverley Hatcher-Mbu, and Anna Chewter Editing/Mixing: Joseph Wagner and Wakini Njogu  Theme Music: Mark Hatcher Resources Technology, Data and Elections: An Updated Checklist on the Election Cycle by Privacy International New Tools for Unleashing the Power of Open Election Data by NDI Interoperability in Election Data and Devices by the National Institute of Standards and Technology

In Episode 2, we turn to the legal and regulatory foundations of interoperability. As data and systems become more interconnected, questions of data protection, enforcement, and cross-border data flows take centre stage. Joined by Immaculate Kassait, Kenya’s Data Protection Commissioner, and Lorrayne Porciuncula, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative, we explore legal interoperability, regulatory sandboxes, and how laws can both enable innovation and protect people in an increasingly data-driven world. Credits Host: Tom Orrell Producers: Wakini Njogu, Beverley Hatcher-Mbu, and Anna Chewter Editing/Mixing: Joseph Wagner and Wakini Njogu  Theme Music: Mark Hatcher Resources Demistifying Interoperability white paper by Development Gateway ‘We Need to Talk About Data: Framing the Debate Around the Free Flow of Data and Data Sovereignty’ publication by DataSphere Initiative ‘The Frontiers of Data Interoperability for Sustainable Development’ by Liz Steele and Tom Orrell ‘Interoperability: A Guide To Joining Up Data In The Development Sector’ by GPSDD

Welcome to Season 4 of the Data...for What?! Podcast. This season, we’re unpacking the big questions behind interconnected systems – from why interoperability matters, to the legal frameworks that shape it, to how it influences trust, safety, and even elections. In this first episode, we introduce interoperability from multiple viewpoints, acknowledging that most people consider interoperability within their sector/silo. We are joined by Agustina De Luca, a Senior Advocacy Manager at Open Ownership, and Paul Mungai, a Data Governance Expert. Credits Host: Beverley Hatcher-Mbu Producers: Wakini Njogu, Beverley Hatcher-Mbu, and Anna Chewter Editing/Mixing: Wakini Njogu  Theme Music: Mark Hatcher Resources Demistifying Interoperability white paper by Development Gateway “People Interoperability” blog by Natalia Carfi, Executive Director of the Open Data Charter Interoperability: A Guide To Joining Up Data In The Development Sector The frontiers of data interoperability for sustainable development Beneficial Ownership Data Standard Data Standards for Soil Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In episode 4, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” host Vanessa Goas and special guest Roshan Paul, Former Director of Leadership Practice & Climate Talent Initiative at IREX, discuss the Climate Talent Initiative, which is IREX’s first in-house climate program.

In episode 3, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” DGer Charlene Migwe-Kagume and special guest Leonida (Leo) Mutuku discusses LDRI’s early warning system, an AI tool that is being used to enable farmers to plan and manage their harvest more effectively by using local and global data on weather patterns, crop yields, etc.