There is a growing need for comprehensive data ethics guidance tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the creative industries that are creating new goods and services with digital components. Although ethical use of data is now critical, there is little prior research on how best to support responsible digital innovation within the creative economy. Utilising a case study approach focusing on the UK activities of the large-scale AHRC funded Creative Informatics innovation programme (2018–2024), we analyse over 100 ethics approval documents from funded R&D projects to identify key ethical concerns and mitigation strategies of creative practitioners innovating with data. Thematic analysis surfaces significant topics, and we provide recommendations for supporting ethical approaches to data innovation within creative domains. We highlight the importance of delivering a structured reflective process with an accountability partner in order to promote responsibility, transparency, and deeper ethical engagement among creative practitioners. Our findings highlight the importance of context-specific data ethics frameworks that go beyond compliance, advocating for practices that anticipate societal impacts and enhance the value of creative work. We conclude with tailored recommendations for policymakers, funders, and practitioners who aim to support improved data ethics in digital innovation within the creative industries.
McDonald et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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