London: 1 June 2009

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has announced an invitation for applications from academics to undertake an economic analysis of public sector information and its re-use. The closing date for this call is 30 June 2009.

The announcement states:

“Opportunity for placement fellowship in the Ministry of Justice

As part of its Placement Fellowship Scheme the ESRC welcomes applications from academics interested in working in a research capacity in the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), part of The National Archives and a member of the Ministry of Justice family. The Scheme encourages social science researchers to spend time within a partner organisation to undertake policy relevant research and to develop the research skills of partner employees. The Fellowship will be jointly funded by the ESRC and OPSI while the Fellow remains employed by his/her institution.

Project Title: Valuing information: an economic analysis of public sector information and its re-use. Length of Fellowship: Six months Proposed start date: Autumn 2009 Location of Fellowship: The National Archives sites (Central London and Kew)Purpose:

• To understand the role, remit and processes of OPSI as the regulator of public sector information (PSI) and to deliver best practice in pricing, legislation and guidance, and to consider PSI issues raised by the 2009 Budget Report, which sets out a way forward for PSI.
• To review current thinking and approaches to measuring the 'value' of PSI, drawing on academic and Government research into both the impact of PSI on the economy and its potential value for the public, private and third sectors;
• To identify or develop a methodology for assessing the 'value' of upstream (unrefined or raw) and downstream (refined or value-added) data, and to test existing conceptual and practical distinctions between the two activities;
• To undertake - within the limits of the six-month placement - as many of the following tasks as possible: qualitative and quantitative analyses of PSI 'value' in the market in which Public Sector Information Holders (PSIHs) operate; an assessment of the costs and benefits of growing the PSI commercial market; an examination of the potential benefits and efficiencies of using new technologies and online tools; and an assessment of how information trading and re-use fits within the public tasks of PSIHs
• To communicate research findings and policy recommendations by means of a written report and presentations to senior policymakers, Ministers and at the national conference in October 2009, supported by Whitehall & Westminster World, to shape and inform policy decisions and to demonstrate the importance of a wider appreciation of the public value of PSI.