SoBigData

SoBigData (SBD) RI is a Pan-European, multi-disciplinary research infrastructure that uses social mining and big data to understand the complexity of our contemporary, globally interconnected society. Originally established in 2015, it offers an integrated ecosystem of tools for data scientists and AI researchers to design and develop big data experiments in social science and support innovative, cutting-edge research in collaboration with a network of experts, research institutions, and industries. SoBigData provides a broad set of services, data, methods, training materials and technologies for Data Science with the objective of creating efficient synergies with public bodies and policy-makers to answer societal questions and optimize public resource usage.

The project moved decisively from being a powerful research infrastructure to becoming a strategic policy actor in Europe’s digital debate. As concerns around AI, data governance, and societal resilience intensified, the project’s core mission — turning big data into socially beneficial insight — became increasingly relevant to real-world policymaking. 

Re-Imagine Europa has contributed to ensuring that advanced data science did not remain confined to academic silos, but instead informed democratic decision-making, public understanding, and regulatory design at a moment when Europe is redefining its digital future. It played a bridging role within the SBD PPP ecosystem, translating complex research on societal debates, misinformation, and digital narratives into formats that policymakers and stakeholders could actually use.