Data for Policy 2025 (DfP’25) – Europe

Leiden University, The Hague, The Netherlands, 12-13 June 2025

The 2025 Europe edition of the Data for Policy conference was held on 12–13 June at Leiden University in The Hague. Hosted in one of Europe’s key policy hubs, this year’s event focused on the intersecting digital and green transitions shaping governance and society today. The theme, “Twin Transitions in Data and Policy for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future,” set the stage for rich discussions on how emerging technologies and data systems can support more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable public policy.

With 80 presentations and 120 participants from five continents, the conference provided a vibrant platform for cross-sector and cross-disciplinary dialogue. The programme featured diverse range of high-quality contributions selected through a rigorous peer-review process following an open call for abstracts, full papers, and panel proposals, addressing topics such as algorithmic governance, digital twins for urban resilience, participatory policymaking, open data infrastructures, and ethical frameworks for the use of AI in public decision-making.

Sessions showcased practical case studies and research from a wide range of global contexts covering topics including regulatory sandboxes for AI experimentation, public-sector algorithm audits, and inclusive data-sharing platforms. Several presentations highlighted the risks of bias, and exclusion in data-driven systems, while others proposed mechanisms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in digital governance. Read more about the conference in this article.

Reflecting on the event, Dr Zeynep Engin, Founder of Data for Policy and Conference General Chair, underlined the value of bringing together diverse perspectives to confront the complex challenges at the intersection of data, technology, and governance. All conference chairs reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration as a foundation for responsible and inclusive digital transformation.

The success of this year’s event represents the culmination of a year-long collaborative process from launching the call for special tracks and managing the peer review process, to shaping the final programme. We extend our sincere thanks to the Regional Conference Chairs, Prof Sarah Giest and Prof Bram Klievink, as well as the programme committees and dedicated volunteer team whose efforts were central to the delivery of this edition.

We are also deeply grateful to our partner organisations — Cambridge University Press, the Data & Policy journal , TNO Vector, LDE Centre for BOLD Cities, Leiden University – Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University – Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, and The Hague Centre for Digital Governance —whose support enabled wider participation and helped ensure that equity and inclusion remain core to the Data for Policy mission.

As conversations continue beyond The Hague, the Data for Policy 2025 – Europe  conference reaffirmed the growing relevance of evidence-based policymaking, ethical AI, and international collaboration in shaping digital futures that benefit all. 

The Conference Book of Abstracts for Data for Policy 2025 – Europe has been published on Zenodo, providing access to all contributions presented at the event.