New Research Project on Smart Data and Human Mobility Launched

University of Liverpool researchers have been awarded funding from Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) for a new project that aims to quantify and adjust existing biases in smart data on human mobility.

Called DEBIAS, the project is led by Professor Francisco Rowe, who specialises in population data science with specific expertise in human mobility, migration and geographic data science. The project will also benefit from the expertise in human mobility and statistical modelling from Dr Carmen Cabrera-Arnau.

DEBIAS will use data on human mobility obtained from users of the social media platforms Facebook and X (previously Twitter) and from smartphone applications collected by the company Huq and explore how was this data obtained and what biases need correcting and why.

Professor Rowe, from the University’s Department of Geography & Planning and Geographic Data Science Lab, said: “I am delighted to receive this award for this innovative new data project. DEBIAS will deliver a new approach to assess and correct biases in geographically aggregated, privacy-preserving origin-destination mobility data, and will produce an open-source software package and training materials to facilitate its implementation.”

The project is one of seven projects funded through the ESRC Digital Footprints Accelerator Scheme, which is part of the UK’s national programme for smart data science. The scheme aims to unlock the power of data for the social good by facilitating digitally-generated data access and building capability for cutting-edge research.