Chapter 2: The Data Challenge

This chapter examines the multifaceted role of data in diversity work within research management, highlighting its potential to both empower and harm. It challenges the common assumption that more data are always necessary, showing how this stance often delays meaningful action and undermines trust. Instead, research managers are encouraged to establish trust through transparency, effective communication and demonstrable action before requesting sensitive information. The chapter examines the legal and ethical frameworks that govern diversity data, from GDPR to international research integrity principles, and stresses the importance of distinguishing between organisational monitoring and research data collection. A practical checklist is provided to guide responsible decision-making regarding consent, security, purpose and open science, emphasising that data should be collected only when necessary, with clear safeguards in place. The discussion further addresses the interpretation of diversity data, noting the cultural, institutional and historical contexts that shape meaning, as well as the risks of oversimplification, bias and misuse, particularly in the era of AI-driven analysis. By emphasising intersectionality and the lived experiences of underrepresented groups, the chapter reframes data as a tool, not an end in itself. Ultimately, it requires diversity literacy among research managers to ensure that data collection becomes an act of empowerment rather than exposure, thereby supporting both institutional accountability and the safety of individuals whose identities may otherwise put them at risk.