Our world is becoming ever more data-driven, transforming how business is conducted, governance enacted, and knowledge produced. Yet, the nature of data and the scope and implications of the changes taking place are not always clear. The Data Revolution is a must read for anyone interested in why data have become so important in the contemporary era.

Thoroughly updated, including ten new chapters, the book provides an accessible and comprehensive:

• introduction to thinking conceptually about the nature of data and the field of critical data studies


• overview of big data, open data and data infrastructures


• analysis of the utility and value of big and open data for research, business, government and civil society


• assessment of the concerns and risks in a data-driven world and how to prevent and mitigate them.