Data-Pop Alliance

Data-Pop Alliance

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Data-Pop Alliance (DPA) is global non-profit 'think-and-do tank' seeking to make data and AI forces of positive social change.

Created in 2013 out of the MIT Connection Science, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and ODI Global. Data-Pop Alliance (DPA) is a global non-profit think-and-do tank seeking to make data and AI forces of positive social change through our three pillars of work: diagnosing local realities and human problems with data and AI, mobilizing capacities, communities, and ideas towards more data literat

Photos from Data-Pop Alliance's post 08/03/2026

On International Women’s Day, we recognize that women and girls are often among the most affected by climate change, yet their needs remain underrepresented in data and decision-making. 🌍

At Data-Pop Alliance, we work to close this gap by generating evidence and tools that support more inclusive and resilient climate solutions. 📊

Our work includes:

📍 With UN Women, mapping care systems using geospatial and satellite data to identify gaps in childcare, elder care, and community services in Nepal and Dhaka City (Bangladesh). These insights help cities design more accessible and resilient care systems.
Nepal report: https://bit.ly/3NczhSn
Dhaka City report: https://bit.ly/3PoF73O

🏙️ Developing the Feminist Urban Design initiative with City Hub and Network for Gender Equity (CHANGE) and Open Data Watch. This collaborative work integrates climate and environmental perspectives into urban planning to advance gender equality.
Project page: https://bit.ly/4ljjcqS

Looking ahead, Data-Pop Alliance is continuing to develop research on the gendered impacts of climate shocks, from gender-based violence risks in post-flood contexts to disruptions in care systems. We welcome collaboration with partners working to strengthen gender-responsive climate action. 🤝

29/01/2026

🎉 Data-Pop Alliance is excited to share that OPAL has evolved into OPAL Impact.

Originally incubated within DPA, OPAL has grown into an independent climate tech platform dedicated to turning climate and flood risk data into actionable decisions for institutions and communities.

This new chapter reflects years of work at the intersection of data, AI, and climate resilience, and DPA is proud to see the project take this important step toward sustained, real-world impact.

🌍 Follow OPAL for Impact on LinkedIn and learn more about it: link in stories.

19/12/2025

As the year draws to a close, Data-Pop Alliance is sharing its final newsletter of 2025: a reflection on a year of collective work, learning, and collaboration.

The newsletter brings together key milestones, projects, and insights from across the organization, highlighting how data can be used as a lens, a language, and a lever for more inclusive and equitable development.

Data-Pop Alliance extends sincere thanks to partners who collaborated throughout the year. These partnerships have been central to translating evidence into action.

Looking ahead to 2026, Data-Pop Alliance remains committed to working collectively to address complex social challenges and to strengthen the role of data in advancing human-centered, inclusive futures.

Read our last 2025 newsletter: link in stories.

25/11/2025

DPA is pleased to announce that our Director of Technology, Data & Innovation, Zinnya del Villar, will be speaking today at Sciences Po on data feminism and public policy.

Organized by Maya Moussa and Emilia Seissus Ercilla for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the roundtable will examine how feminist approaches to data can inform more equitable and accountable public-sector decision making.

⏱️ When: Tuesday, 25 November, 19:00
📍Where: Sciences Po, Amphitheater Jeannie De Clarens, 27 rue Saint-Guillaume, 75007 Paris
🗣️ Language: English

Zinnya will join an exceptional group of speakers:

Soizic Pénicaud – Co-founder, Observatoire des algorithmes publics; Lecturer, Sciences Po
Audrey Baneyx – Research Project Lead and Research Engineer, médialab
Cecile Le Guen – Deputy Chief Data Officer, DINUM

We look forward to Zinnya’s contribution to this important conversation.

29/10/2025

Our Q3 2025 Quarterly Update is here!

From July to September 2025, Data-Pop Alliance advanced its mission to make data and AI work for social good. This quarter featured:
🌍 OPAL for Floods – piloting AI-powered anticipatory action systems in Senegal.
📊 Big Data, Gender, and the SDGs – new study launched with UN Women Morocco.
🎙️ Global Engagements – from the City Hub and Network for Gender Equity Workshop in Los Angeles to AECID’s Aula Abierta in Bolivia.
💻 Digital Rights Research – exploring political parties’ responses to TF-GBV in Brazil at the ALIGN / ODI convening in London.

We also welcomed new team members and shared fresh insights on gender equality, data innovation, and inclusive governance.

👉 Check out the news story: http://bit.ly/47tRjpz
Or read the full update directly: http://bit.ly/3JzMuD2

22/10/2025

Climate shocks are intensifying across West Africa. Data-Pop Alliance is partnering with Mercy Corps Ventures to pilot a localized platform that uses AI, satellite imagery, and smart contracts to help communities in Thiès and Grand Dakar act before floods.

💡 How it works
• AI models and satellite data identify rising flood risk at the neighborhood level
• When risk thresholds are met, smart contracts validate triggers and automate disbursements to preidentified households via mobile money
• Partners coordinate early action and two-way communication through JOKALANTE’s network

✅ Why it matters
Faster, data driven early action can reduce losses and strengthen resilience for climate vulnerable communities while creating a model that can scale across West Africa and other flood prone regions.
This is the first post in a two-part series. We will share results and lessons learned after the pilot evaluation.

➡️ Learn more: https://bit.ly/42QNDN0

03/10/2025

⭐ DPA Employee Spotlight

Meet Diana Montero Licona, our Operations Officer based in Mexico, who has been an essential part of Data-Pop Alliance for the past 4 years. From managing recruitment and staff planning to ensuring projects run smoothly behind the scenes, Diana’s work keeps our global team connected and balanced.

💡 What inspires her most? Knowing that her day-to-day efforts contribute to something greater - building a more equitable and sustainable world. Outside of work, Diana dedicates her time to rescuing and caring for stray dogs, as well as exploring pottery, long walks, and travel.

👉 Read more about Diana’s journey in our latest Employee Spotlight: https://tinyurl.com/497wv6u3

25/09/2025

El próximo lunes, Zinnya del Villar, Directora de Datos, Tecnología e Innovación en Data-Pop Alliance, participará en el Aula Abierta “Democracia digital: participación, derechos y futuro en la era de los algoritmos”, un espacio de diálogo con expertos internacionales sobre democracia y tecnología.

Zinnya contribuirá a explorar posibles respuestas a las siguientes preguntas: ¿cómo impacta la tecnología digital en la democracia? ¿Qué retos y oportunidades enfrenta América Latina y el Caribe en la era de los algoritmos?

📅 Lunes, 29 de septiembre de 2025 – 19h (GMT -4)
📍 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española en Santa Cruz (Bolivia) – AECID (Calle Arenales Nº 583)
👉 Regístrate gratis aquí: https://link.aecidscz.com/0b836b9

El evento será transmitido en Facebook, LinkedIn y YouTube.

22/09/2025

🚀 We’re hiring!

Data-Pop Alliance is looking for a Full Stack Developer to join our international team.

🌍 Remote position (ideally GMT -1 to +3)
💻 Work with React.js, Node.js, APIs, and cloud platforms
🤝 Collaborate on projects with global impact in Africa, Latin America, MENA, and Asia
💵 Salary: USD $2,300/month
📅 Apply by September 30

Help us change the world with data!

👉 Learn more and submit your application: https://bit.ly/4mq0oF9

03/09/2025

Breaking the Wall of Humanitarian Action

Our Director and Co-Founder, Emmanuel Letouzé, was recently featured in the Falling Walls Foundation Global Call 2025 Finalists Interviews series in the category of Social Sciences & Humanities.

In the interview, Emmanuel reflects on how OPAL for Humanitarian Action (OPAL4HA) breaks the wall between data and impact in crisis settings. He discusses:

🔹 How OPAL4HA’s four modules (Assess, Decide, Intervene, Evaluate) transform fragmented data into coordinated, evidence-based action.
🔹 His personal journey, from witnessing deep inequalities around the world to pioneering the use of data, tech, and AI for human development and humanitarian action.
🔹 Advice for young scientists: let complexity guide your curiosity but let impact guide your work.

Read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/4p3sjNP

27/08/2025

🌍 We’re hiring!

Data-Pop Alliance is looking for a Research and Content Intern to join our international team.

📌 About the role
The intern will support projects across themes such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, urban inclusivity, digital rights, and more. Responsibilities include:
🔹 Conducting qualitative and quantitative research
🔹 Designing and analyzing surveys and interviews
🔹 Drafting reports, briefs, and blog posts
🔹 Supporting knowledge products for global partners like UN Women, UNDP, and the IDB

📍 Details
Duration: 3 months, full-time
Location: Remote
Remuneration: USD 500/month

👉 Learn more about the role and application process here: https://bit.ly/3HRMWf7

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