Research at Southampton has revolutionised access to data across all sectors of UK society, as well as influencing open data movements in the United States, Europe and globally through the G8.
Following the success of the AKT project Sir Nigel and fellow Southampton Professor and inventor of the World Wide Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee were appointed by the then-Prime Minister to apply their research to making government information publicly accessible. Their briefing to Cabinet in 2009 led to significant policy change including the release of 40 per cent of Ordnance Survey’s geographical data for use by government, businesses and individuals.
In collaboration with web developers, politicians and civil servants, they oversaw the design and implementation and launch of data.gov.uk that provides access to 10,000 government datasets including crime, health and education.
The pair also cofounded the £10m Open Data Institute (ODI) that aims to support the publication and exploitation of high quality open data from across the public sector to help new and existing businesses that want to use this data to create economic growth. The ODI is currently incubating 10 start-ups, one of which identified annual savings of £200m for the NHS by analysing drug prescription practice. The ODI has had more than 3,000 visitors; received delegations from approximately 20 countries; provided training; and raised an additional £4m in funding.
Sir Nigel has also been appointed to chair the Local Public Data Panel to provide independent advice on the release and use of local government public data, overseeing some of the most significant data releases including details about local government spending.
Research and leadership at Southampton has also led to the drawing up of the UK Public Data Principles that were enshrined in the UK Government Open Data White Paper, while the team’s expertise has been called upon to help ensure privacy protection is embedded in any transparency programme.