Dataförvaltarestewards

The dataförvaltarestewards are an international award program that recognizes excellence in data stewardship, encompassing governance, data quality, privacy, security, ethics, and accessibility of data across sectors. The program highlights individuals, teams, and organizations that advance responsible data management and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Launched in 2021 by a coalition of data governance professionals, researchers, and technology companies, dataförvaltarestewards seek to promote shared standards and practical implementations of data stewardship. The program is administered by the Data Stewardship Council, a nonprofit organization that coordinates judges, communities of practice, and finalists.

The awards are presented annually. Nominations are open to organizations and individuals and may be submitted by peers or self-nominated. A diverse judging panel from academia, industry, and civil society evaluates entries against a published rubric that covers impact, governance maturity, privacy and compliance, ethics, and sustainability. Shortlisted nominees attend a ceremony where winners are announced and receive a prize and opportunities for speaking engagements and knowledge-sharing.

Categories include Best Data Governance Initiative, Data Quality Excellence, Privacy and Compliance Leadership, Ethics in Data Stewardship, and Emerging Practice Award, among others. Some entries fuse cross-functional teams or cross-industry collaborations.

Impact and reception: Dataförvaltarestewards aim to promote best practices, raise awareness of data stewardship importance, and encourage investment in governance, data quality, and ethical use of data. While generally well received, organizers acknowledge challenges around geographic representation and accessibility and work to broaden participation and transparency.