Colleagues in iHuman at the University of Sheffield have recently published a paper entitled ‘Open Science, Health Data and Epistemic Harms: A Multidisciplinary Reflection’ in Data Science Journal.
Dr Ankita Mishra and Dr Nikita Hayden co-authored the paper following their participation in a multidisciplinary panel event at the University of Warwick in September 2025.
The paper, led by Dr Tatenda Chatikobo at the University of Warwick, offers a critical analysis of epistemic harms that can be perpetuated by the dominance of Eurocentric knowledge norms, legal regimes, and corporate capture. Reflecting on the work, the authors note that while open science is often framed as inherently equitable, without critical engagement it risks reinforcing existing inequalities in whose knowledge is recognised and whose data is valued. It contributes to growing debates on ethical data governance, highlighting the need for more inclusive and socially just approaches to knowledge production.
