Big Data, Data Protection, and Research
Big data in health research utilizes vast, diverse data—from clinical records to digital footprints—to gain novel health insights. This broadens biomedical inquiry but challenges existing consent, privacy, and data governance standards.
Some Key Questions
We investigate whether current oversight mechanisms are adequate for complex, data-intensive research, how to govern data collected outside traditional healthcare settings, and what protections are necessary when data are reused for purposes not originally intended. As health research becomes increasingly computational and global, we study how to ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for individual rights in this evolving context.