Data Governance

Start Date: March 2021

Principal Investigator: Mireia Paulo

 

Overview:

As digitalisation sweeps across economies and societies, governments are developing a deeper understanding of the value and potential power of digital data. Data is a driver of economic growth that increases the competition among numerous actors that tests existing notions of power structures, sovereignty, and security. Data governance has become a contested political space shaped by diverging interests, norms, and values. This research project therefore aims to explore the European Union’s and Asian countries’ data governance models.

The project is based on interdisciplinary research applying to international political economy and legal studies. The project is aiming to examine the role of different actors such as the EU, China, Japan and South Korea to increase understanding of their domestic data governance models and data legal regimes. By doing so, we rethink the understanding of concepts such as data sovereignty and data security. Central to the research project is the study of the potential and risks of data-related policies and regulations. This involves looking at the implications of new enacted strategies, policies and regulations in those countries from both internal and external dimensions. The project helps stakeholders, policymakers, and academia to understand data governance issues in the EU and Asia.

Organisation of events

Online lecture. Watch on YouTube

Vásquez Callo-Mülle, M. (2020). How to build interoperability? Europe, East Asia and the data economy. Youtube. 14 November. 20:54. Watch.

 

Conference contributions, lectures, and presentations 

International event, 16-19 July 2024. Download the programme

Mrs. Paulo attended the “IAPP Asia Privacy Forum 2024.” The Asia Privacy Forum is one of the region’s leading privacy and information security events. It features best-in-class education and networking for professionals. Additionally, Mireia also joined the Singapore-OECD Expert Workshop on PETs. Finally, Mireia took the opportunity to discuss with some of the attendees and speakers.

Online presentation, 21 June 2024Watch on YouTube

Mrs. Paulo spoke in the webinar titled “Charting the Future: High-Level Dialogue on Elevating EU-Asia Digital Connectivity.” This dialogue aimed to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration between Europe and Asia in the realm of digital connectivity. Discussion among distinguished speakers, e.g. H.E. Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport (2014–2019), H.E. Josianne Cutajar, Member of the European Parliament (S&D, Malta) and rapporteur on the AI Act, Mr. Siriwat Chhem, Co-Founder and President of the AI Forum, Advisor to the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Prof. Dr. Christine Prange, Director of the Caralan Global Institute, Adjunct Professor at Zhejiang University International Business School. Read the news and watch video.

International event, 20 June 2024. Download the programme

Mrs. Paulo participated in the “20 Years European Data Protection Summit: Rethinking Data in a Democratic Society.” The event aimed to debate on the role of States regarding collection of information about citizens, security, and the part that data protection should play in modern democracies.

International Congress, 7-8 March 2024. Download the programme

The IV International TUCOMEX Congress on Foreign Trade, held in Valencia, Spain, on March 7th and 8th, 2024, brought together industry leaders, experts, and local authorities to delve into the ongoing technological revolution transforming international supply chains. Mrs. Paulo presented on “Opportunities and Risks in Supply Chain Practice in China Under the Technological Revolution.”  Read news

International Event, 25 January 2024. Download the programme

On January 25, Mrs. Paulo attended the event organised by the Council of Europe (CoE), CPDP, and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) to celebrate the Data Protection Day (January 28) in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together officials, industry leaders, and experts for a comprehensive exploration of the latest challenges in data protection and privacy. Thanks to the participation in this event, Mr. Paulo has become a member of the OECD’s “Expert Community on Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT)” supporting the OECD’s Digital Policy Committee (DPC). Read news.

International Conference, 2-3 November 2023. Download the programme

The 27th International Euro-Asia Research Conference took place at Casa Asia in Barcelona, Spain. Focusing on the theme “Evolving Euro-Asia Business Management: Changing Political and Economic Perspectives,” the conference unfolded over two days, addressing multifaceted topics reshaping the global socio-economic landscape. It was co-organised by Casa Asia, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Sheffield Universita, University of Limerick, University of Pau, University of Poitiers, Institut Mines-Telecom Business School, and Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Mrs. Paulo presented on “Adapting Business Landscapes: Examining EU-China Cross-Border Data Flows and Business Management Practices.” Read news.

International Conference, 24-15 June 2023. Download the programme

The Asia-Europe Sustainable Connectivity Scientific Conference (AESCON3) took place as an online conference. It was organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Sejong Institute, and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Mrs. Paulo spoke in the panel discussion on “Digital Partnerships between the EU and Asia.”  Read news.

International Conference, 3-5 May 2023. Download the programme

The European Union in International Affairs (EUIA) Conference, a major forum for academics and policymakers to discuss the role of the EU in addressing global challenges, took place from 3-5 May 2023. The eighth edition focused on the theme of “Europe’s Pathways to (Dis)Engagement with the World.” The Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) participated in a panel entitled “Connectivity and Security: The Case of EU-Asia Relations”. The panel highlighted the unique and interdisciplinary research and collaboration by Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) and the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) within the AREA Ruhr – Alliance for Research on East Asia Ruhr. It consisted of Ph.D. candidates from RUB and UDE and was moderated by Prof. Sebastian Bersick. Mrs. Paulo presented on “Connectivity and Security: The Case of EU-Asia Relations”. Talk on “Conceptualisation of Data Security: A Comparison of the European and Chinese Approach.” Read news.

2023 China-Europe Digital Dialogue, 24 March 2023. Download the programme  

Mrs. Paulo was invited to participate in the 2023 China-Europe Track II Digital Dialogue Plan (2023年中欧数字领域二轨对话). She delivered a speech during the first panel related to regulatory rules for cross-border data flow between China and Europe. Read news.

Workshop, 6 May 2022. Download the programme  

Mrs. Paulo gave a talk on China’s data governance at the Workshop “Linking Climate Change, Digitalisation, and Sustainability: Turning Foresights into Action in Times of Crisis”. The workshop took place at the World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern. Read news.

Lecture, 31 March 2022. Download the programme

Mrs. Paulo delivered a lecture on China´s Data Governance at the School of Law, University of Valencia, Spain. Prof. Dr. Javier Plaza also spoke on the EU´s Data Governance. Read news.

International Conference, 11 November 2021. Download the programme

Mrs. Paulo spoke at the Barcelona/Shanghai Innovation Day 2021 (SciTechDiploHub) on Data Governance. This event brought together the most prominent stakeholders from academia, startups, industry, and public institutions in Barcelona and Shanghai to strengthen relationships between both ecosystems; showcase best practices in science, innovation, and higher education, and engage with Barcelona’s top professionals in the area.

International Symposium, 14-15 October 2021

Mrs. Paulo jointly with Maria Vasquez, Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland, presented their research on ‘Comparative analysis on the interoperability of the Pacific Alliance’s and China’s data protection regulations: The Case of TikTok’ at the Latin America – Asia Pacific International Symposium sponsored by the Chair of the Pacific Alliance made up of four universities: Universidad del Pacífico (Peru), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Universidad Alberto Hurtado (Chile), and Universidad Iberoamericana (México).

Online presentation, 3 August 2021. Watch on YouTube

Mrs. Paulo participated in the Virtual Expert Roundtable on “EU’s Strategic Autonomy in the Era of Global Internet Governance” organised by the Europe-Asia Centre, Brussels. Ms. Paulo discussed EU technological autonomy, data governance, and cybersecurity aspects in an expert round. Discussion among distinguished speakers, e.g. H.E. Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport (2014–2019), highlighted the role of the private sector, interoperability, and policy-making processes. Read the news and watch video.

Thematic Workshop, 24-25 June 2021

Mrs. Paulo participated in Thematic Group 5 (Economics, Politics, Public Policy, International Relations and Law) at the Forum for European Researchers in China and the European Research & Innovation Days China organised by the EU Delegation to China and EURAXESS China. This Forum was organised in the framework of the European Research and Innovation Days, European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event.

Thematic Workshop, 18 June 2021. Download  Policy Brief

Mrs. Paulo delivered a speech on Digital Connectivity: Impact on Relation between EU and China, Japan, and South Korea at the EU-COST. Workshop focused on Infrastructure Connectivity in Europe with Chinese characteristics III focusing on Digital connectivity, organized by WG I, Strategic sectors and infrastructure development, at the Center for Economic and Regional Studies, Hungary and University College Cork, Ireland. This workshop was part of China in Europe Research Network, a research platform co-chaired by VU Amsterdam and Bristol University.