Jeni Tennison

Jeni Tennison is an expert in data governance, policy, and open data who serves as an Associated Researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Connected by Data, a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow, and co-chair of the Data Governance Working Group at the Global Partnership on AI.

Her research focuses on challenging traditional notions of data ownership and consent, advocating for collective governance of data when processed in aggregate. She has a long-standing interest in open and web standards, having served on the W3C's Technical Architecture Group and co-chaired the W3C's CSV on the Web Working Group. Her work bridges academic research with practical implementation, having previously served as CEO of the Open Data Institute for nine years.

Tennison's publications reveal a consistent focus on agent-based modeling of information economies, data governance frameworks, and the societal implications of data monopolies. Her work spans disciplines including computer science, economics, public policy, and information science, with particular emphasis on creating practical tools and frameworks for better data governance.

• OBE for services to technology and open data
• Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow

As Executive Director of Connected by Data, she leads initiatives that put community at the heart of data narratives, practices, and policies. She serves on the Boards of Creative Commons, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, and the Information Law and Policy Centre. Her work involves substantial collaboration with governments, international organizations, and private sector entities to build trustworthy data ecosystems.

She is also known for co-creating Datopolis, an open data board game that helps people understand data infrastructure concepts through gameplay.