As the world celebrates Open Data Day, it is an opportune moment to reflect not only on the importance of making data available but also on the growing need to advance the practice of data stewardship so that data can responsibly be shared, reused, and translated into real public value.

Data has become a foundational resource for contemporary societies. From scientific discovery and public health to climate action, economic development, and artificial intelligence, progress increasingly depends on the ability to access, share, and reuse data responsibly.

Yet while the importance of data continues to grow, the skills, institutions, and professional roles needed to steward data effectively are still emerging. Organizations across sectors are increasingly recognizing the need for dedicated expertise to manage data access, governance, and reuse in ways that generate public value while maintaining trust.

To help meet this need, we are pleased to launch DataStewards.net — dedicated to training and supporting data stewards.

Datastewards.net serves as the central hub for the training and capacity-building initiatives on data stewardship developed by The GovLab and The Data Tank. The site brings together programs, resources, and expertise designed to equip professionals with the practical knowledge required to enable responsible data sharing and collaboration.

Professional Courses and Training Programs

Datastewards.net offers targeted training opportunities for policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and companies seeking to strengthen their data stewardship capabilities, including:

• Data Stewardship Foundations: Bootcamps and hands-on programs co-developed with governments, foundations, and institutions to help participants design and implement real-world data collaboration initiatives.

• Deep Dives (Coming Soon): Short, focused masterclasses exploring specific aspects of data stewardship practice.

• Customized Solutions: Tailored offerings to institutionalize data stewardship across your organization.

• Exchange: A growing community of experts and alumni contributing to the development and delivery of training programs.

Together, these offerings aim to support the development of a global community of professionals capable of stewarding data responsibly and effectively - ensuring that data can be re-used to advance research, policy, and innovation while safeguarding rights and maintaining public trust.

Organizations and individuals interested in participating in training programs or collaborating on capacity-building initiatives can connect through datastewards.net.

Some Background

The launch of DataStewards.net builds on nearly a decade of work by The GovLab to advance the practice of data stewardship. Eight years ago, The GovLab launched the Data Stewards Network to promote responsible data leadership and support the reuse of data for the public good. In 2020, the Data Stewards Academy was established to provide dedicated training on responsible data access and reuse, and to broaden access to data stewardship training, Stefaan Verhulst collaborated with LinkedIn Learning in 2024 to develop an online course on data stewardship,

Since then, together with the Data Tank we expanded the initiative significantly:

• 8,500+ learners trained

• 103 guest faculty members contributing expertise

• Bootcamps and events held online and globally, including in Berlin, Brussels, Zürich, Milan and Annapolis

Datastewards.net marks the next phase of this effort, providing a dedicated platform to scale training and strengthen the global field of data stewardship.

Back to the Blog