Join us for the April 2026 Dundee Data Meetup x The Data Lab Community

Join us for a special collaborative edition of the Dundee Data Meetup and The Data Lab Community meetups! Keeping with the spirit of collaboration, this time we'll be shining a spotlight on Open Data!

This month's topic

Open Data has the power to unlock innovation, empower communities, and drive meaningful change across sectors—from public services and research to businesses and the creative industries. In this session, we’ll discuss the value of open data and look at the opportunities (and challenges!) of building with openly available information.

For this event, we'll be joined by two major advocates for open data. Howard Askew, Senior Data technologist at the Open Data Institute, will discuss how through the OpenActive initiative, he and his team are making it easier to find and book sports facilities and classes. Howard will cover challenges around data standardisation, stakeholder buy-in and the benefits of using open data standards to create a healthier, more active society.

We'll also be joined by Tricia Govindasamy, an award-winning data visualisation specialist with experience delivering high impact, data driven projects across Africa and the UK. Now a Senior Information Analyst at Public Health Scotland, Tricia will share insights into the process behind how PHS makes data openly available, as well as highlighting how this data can be explored and reused.

Whether you’re a data professional, student, policy enthusiast, technologist, or simply curious about the potential of Open Data, this event is for you.

Speakers

Howard Askew - Senior Data Technologist, Open Data Institute

Howard Askew is a Senior Data Technologist at the ODI. He is an enthusiastic champion of data literacy and the smart, ethical use of data and technology to drive positive changes. He supports the ODI's consultancy team, most recently as Technical Lead on the Department for Business and Trade's Smart Data Challenge Prize, and leads on the development and delivery of data standards and open data initiatives such as OpenActive.

Tricia Govindasamy - Senior Information Analyst, Public Health Scotland

Tricia Govindasamy is an award-winning data visualisation specialist with ten years of experience delivering high-impact, data-driven projects across Africa and the UK. Her work spans civic technology, open data, and public health—always with a focus on making complex information usable, equitable, and actionable.

She is currently a Senior Information Analyst at Public Health Scotland, where she contributes to national programmes on screening, health inequalities, and the ethical use of AI in the public sector.

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