Paul MacDonnell
Former Head of European Policy
Center for Data Innovation
Paul MacDonnell was the head of European policy at the Center for Data Innovation, an affiliate of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
Prior to joining the Center, MacDonnell represented Insurance Ireland, the insurance industry trade association, in Dublin and Brussels, and managed the industry’s response to policy, legislative, and regulatory developments. MacDonnell began his career with Hill & Knowlton’s government affairs division in London where he provided advice to a number of Fortune-500 companies. In 2001 he cofounded an economic policy forum in Dublin, Open Republic, which, as well as hosting events aimed at policymakers and politicians on such issues as pensions, taxation and the EU, was the Irish publisher of the Economic Freedom of the World Report.
MacDonnell has extensive broadcast and print media experience, and he holds a degree in medieval English literature and philosophy from Trinity College Dublin and an M.B.A. from University College Dublin.
Research Areas
Recent Publications
Europe Needs to Get Serious About Open Data
To unlock the potential of the data its governments are sitting on, Europe should agree on a European Open Data Charter modeled on the G8 Open Data Charter, writes Paul MacDonnell in EurActiv.
Europe Should Embrace the Data Revolution
In Europe’s capital cities and in Brussels, policymakers have not yet fully embraced data-driven innovation as a core driver of economic and social progress.
EU Approach To Regulating Data Needs More Hope And Less Fear
While fears about data generate the most headlines, the biggest impact for consumers will come from its array of benefits, writes Paul MacDonnell in TechCrunch.
European Companies Need Big Data, Too
Advances in data analytics are the perfect opportunity for European companies to take the lead in the global Internet economy, if regulators get out of the way, writes Paul MacDonnell in the Wall Street Journal.
Europe Needs Smart Policies For Smart Things
To maximize the benefits of the Internet of Things, Europe needs a comprehensive strategy with public sector investment and a wider program to ensure there is no lag in the adoption, writes Paul MacDonnell in Europe’s World.
The Data Revolution: Europe’s Chance to Lead in the Digital Economy
Europe needs to cash in on the data economy—and in a lot of ways, it already is, argues Paul MacDonnell in EurActiv.
Comments to the European Commission on Platforms, Data, and Cloud Computing
ITIF’s Center for Data Innovation submitted comments to the European Commission urging it to do more to unlock the potential of data-driven innovation in online platforms.
Recent Events and Presentations
Using Big Data to Measure Europe’s Economy
Using Data to Deliver Medical Breakthroughs at the Frontiers of Science
Join ITIF's Center for Data Innovation for a panel discussion with leaders in medical research, medical regulation, and pharmaceutical development for a discussion on the future of data-driven medicine and how European policymakers can support health data research initiatives.
Seizing Europe’s Data Innovation Opportunity
Join ITIF's Center for Data Innovation at the inaugural event for its Brussels office where it will host a thoughtful discussion about the future of data policy in Europe, including opportunities to build and expand on successes to increase the use of data throughout the public and private sector.
