Data Findability, Governance, and Community Engagement for M\=aori Research Data Sovereignty

The concept of Māori Research Data Sovereignty (MRDSov) is introduced to bridge the gap between Māori data sovereignty (MDSov) principles and their operationalization within research institutions. This framework defines Māori research data and applies MDSov principles to data generated by, about, or for Māori, drawing on existing scholarship in Indigenous Data Sovereignty and research data management.

Why it matters

This research is strategically important for institutions that generate, collect, or use data related to indigenous populations, as it provides a framework for ethical data governance. Adopting such principles can enhance institutional reputation, foster trust with indigenous communities, and ensure compliance with evolving data sovereignty expectations.

Key insights

• Māori data sovereignty (MDSov) has established core principles for recognizing Māori rights and interests in data.
• There is a recognized gap in how MDSov principles are operationalized within research institutions.
• Māori Research Data Sovereignty (MRDSov) is proposed as an extension of MDSov into the specific context of research data and its lifecycle.
• MRDSov applies MDSov principles to research data produced by, about, or for Māori.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.08905