Principles
Principles that guide our work
The Digital Dignity Alliance is guided by principles that shape how we conduct research, develop educational activities, build collaborations, and communicate our findings. They support rigorous, independent, and responsible work that advances knowledge, strengthens public understanding and contributes to community and public benefit.
A more human digital future, informed by evidence, inclusion and collective insight.
DIGITAL DIGNITY ALLIANCE
OUR PRINCIPLES
These principles establish the standards against which we seek to conduct and evaluate our work.
01
Human Dignity
Digital technologies should be examined in relation to their consequences for human dignity, while dignity itself remains open to rigorous inquiry.
We examine how AI, algorithmic systems, and digital technologies interact with human dignity and related concerns, including autonomy, rights, agency, participation and conditions of life.
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02
Independence and Intellectual Integrity
DDA seeks to protect the independence and integrity of its research, analysis, and conclusions.
Funding, partnerships, and institutional relationships should not determine our findings. We disclose material interests and manage conflicts of interest appropriately.
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03
Evidence, Rigour and Open Inquiry
Our research and public contributions are grounded in appropriate evidence, transparent reasoning, and methods suited to the questions being examined.
We distinguish established knowledge from uncertainty, welcome scrutiny and revise our conclusions where stronger evidence warrants it. Research involving people or sensitive data is subject to proportionate ethical safeguards.
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04
Interdisciplinarity
The ethical, social, and economic implications of digital technologies rarely belong to a single discipline.
DDA draws on perspectives from across computer and data science, law, economics, public policy, philosophy, behavioural and social sciences, management and technology governance.
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05
Political Independence
DDA is independent of political parties and does not exist to advance party-political purposes.
We may contribute research and evidence to policy debates where this furthers our purposes, and we do so in an evidence-informed and non-partisan manner.
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06
Global Perspectives and Inclusive Inquiry
Digital technologies affect people and communities differently across the world.
We seek to engage with diverse perspectives and create opportunities for relevant communities and stakeholders to contribute to our work.
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07
Openness, Transparency and Accountability
DDA is committed to transparency in the conduct and communication of its work.
We explain our methods and reasoning, disclose relevant funding and conflicts of interest, and correct material errors transparently.
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08
Public Benefit and Accessibility
DDA’s work is undertaken for community and public benefit, with particular attention to people and communities affected by the design, deployment, and governance of digital technologies.
We seek to advance knowledge and public understanding, make research findings and educational resources accessible where reasonably possible, and create opportunities for communities, practitioners and decision-makers to benefit from and contribute to our work.
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09
Responsible Collaboration and Safeguards
We work with a range of partners where collaboration can advance our purposes and contribute to public benefit.
We consider potential risks and harms, manage conflicts of interest, and ensure that partnerships do not compromise our independence or integrity.
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“Rigorous research. Broader understanding. A more human digital future.”
DIGITAL DIGNITY ALLIANCE
Living Principles
These principles guide DDA’s research, educational activities, partnerships and public engagement. We will review them periodically as our work develops, evidence evolves and the communities and stakeholders affected by digital technologies contribute new perspectives.
Adopted: September 2026 | Next review: September 2028
Putting Our Principles into Practice
These principles are intended to guide DDA’s research governance, collaborations, publications, educational activities, public engagement and institutional development.
We seek to translate them into proportionate policies and procedures covering areas including research integrity and ethics, conflicts of interest, funding transparency, responsible partnerships, safeguarding, data protection, publication standards and corrections.
As DDA develops, we will review these principles and their implementation to ensure that they remain relevant, credible and consistent with our community-benefit purposes.