Gravy Analytics and UFTI researchers receive honorable mention in the third annual Award for Research Data Stewardship

DULLES, VA, May 2, 2023 – Gravy Analytics, the leading provider of enterprise location intelligence, and researchers from the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) earned an honorable mention in this year’s Award for Research Data Stewardship presented by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), a global non-profit focused on data protection headquartered in Washington, D.C. Gravy Analytics and UFTI researchers were specifically recognized for their work in utilizing location analytics to enhance natural disaster emergency response planning and management.

FPF established the Award for Research Data Stewardship in 2020 to recognize companies and academics that demonstrate innovative approaches and best practices for sharing data in a privacy-protective manner to advance scientific knowledge. Honorees were selected by a diverse group of leading academics, advocates, and industry privacy professionals from FPF’s Advisory Board.

With privacy-friendly human mobility data provided through Gravy Analytics’ Data for Social Good program, the research team from UFTI examined the movement patterns of local residents in Sonoma County, CA, before, during, and after the 2019 Kincade Fire. The primary aim was to gain a better understanding of residents’ behaviors during natural disasters, with the ultimate goal of aiding future emergency response efforts. Gravy Analytics and UFTI researchers prioritized ethical and privacy-conscious data usage by incorporating robust privacy protections into the project, showcasing their shared commitment to responsible data handling practices.

“At Gravy Analytics, consumer privacy is at the core of everything we do, so we are proud to be recognized by the Future of Privacy Forum for our commitment to responsible data handling,” said Jason Sarfati, Chief Privacy Officer and VP of Legal at Gravy Analytics. “We also understand the potential of location data and its derived datasets to fuel innovation within our communities and improve society at large. This recognition highlights our dedication to ethical and privacy-conscious data usage and our ongoing efforts to support the use of location intelligence for the greater good.” 

The Award for Research Data Stewardship is presented by FPF to acknowledge researchers for the strength of their work, adherence to privacy protection in the sharing process, and their partnering company’s commitment to supporting academic research. Award winners and their projects will be widely promoted to over 200 industry FPF members, news media, academic publications, and other stakeholders.

“Our panel of judges were incredibly impressed reading through each meaningful and forward-thinking data-sharing partnership,” said Shea Swauger, FPF’s Senior Researcher for Data Sharing and Ethics. “Data plays a significant role in social progress. When companies share data responsibly with academic researchers, they can unlock new scientific insights, expand human knowledge, and provide solutions to society’s most difficult challenges.”

Honorees will be recognized at the Third Annual Research Data Stewardship Award Ceremony on May 10, 2023. Registration for this complimentary virtual event is now open and can be completed here. The FPF Award for Research Data Stewardship is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
For more information on Gravy Analytics’ and UFTI’s recognition, click here. Read the full case study here for further details on the research project.

Where people go and why tells the story of our world. Founded in 2011, Gravy Analytics is the enterprise location technology company providing actionable intelligence to businesses. Using its patented technology, the company brings data about people, places, and events together to understand human mobility, helping companies enhance their sales and marketing strategies and optimize business operations. Today, the company’s intelligence powers leading-edge solutions for a wide range of industries—from advertising to market research, financial services to supply chain risk management—that rely on knowing how people, products, and materials move throughout the world. For more information, please visit gravyanalytics.com.

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a global non-profit organization that brings together academics, civil society, government officials and industry to evaluate the societal, policy and legal implications of data use, identify the risks and develop appropriate protections. 

FPF believes technology and data can benefit society and improve lives if the right laws, policies and rules are in place. FPF has offices in Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore and Tel Aviv. 
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