Dear colleagues, On behalf of the Ethical Data Initiative team, I am pleased to announce the open-access launch of the art collaboration "Data Shadows," an experimental short film produced by the The Ethical Data Initiative, University of Exeter, and the TUM Think Tank at the Technical University of Munich. After its successful premieres in Munich and the UK, the film is now available for everyone, everywhere, to watch for free.
A huge congratulations to the creative team behind this vision: Sabina Leonelli, whose research on "data shadows" forms the film's intellectual heart. Artist Jacob van der Beugel, who specialises in giving physical form to abstract concepts. Oliver Page, the director bringing this philosophical experiment to life. Featuring a musical score by Lucy Page and cinematography by Jamie Williams. The short film Data Shadows; where art, science, and philosophy converge. This 20-minute cinematic journey transforms our understanding of data through the lens of nature; soils, stones, and plants. With stunning visuals and an innovative narrative, Data Shadows invites audiences to explore the unseen dimensions of data, turning abstract processes into tangible imagery and unravelling its lifecycle from extraction to transformation. As the film unveils data’s tangible roots, it raises crucial questions about its ethical and environmental implications. Each chapter—Extraction, Repository, and Journeys—immerses viewers in a thought-provoking exploration of data’s hidden realities. As we navigate an era of AI and massive data collection, understanding the “materiality” of our digital footprint is more important than ever. Data Shadows challenges us to think about the environmental impact of data storage and the ethical responsibilities we have toward the information we use and harvest. Whether you are an academic, a data professional, or simply someone curious about how the digital world works, this film offers a poetic and thought-provoking perspective that raises many questions about our increasingly data-driven world. Find out more and watch the film at https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/2026/05/07/digital-footprints-material-truth-data-shadows-open-access-launch/ Best wishes, Suchith Professor Suchith Anand Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science Diplomacy | SDG Volunteer and Advocate https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131 https://ethicaldatainitiative.org <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>
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