As the public sector opens up much more of its data, many in the voluntary sector are looking at what open data can do for their organisations.

Ed Anderton from the Nominet Trust recently wrote on the network that "a broad base of organisations using and supplying open data would allow for better understanding of the impact made by the social sector, potentially revealing gaps in provision and providing evidence of the quality of the relationships between funders, public and private sector partners."

But some charities are still confused by the concept of open data and how it could help them achieve their strategic aims. With this in mind, our live Q&A will consider:

• The $64m question – what is open data?

• The benefits of opening up data.

• How charities of all sizes can include open data into their strategy.

• The challenges that open data presents.

• The support and advice available.

You can leave your views and questions in the comments section below, or come back to join the discussion live from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday 22 May. To join our experts on the panel, email Kate Hodge.

Expert panel

Ed Anderton – development researcher, Nominet Trust

Ed has been at the Nominet Trust since late 2011. He focuses on the use and supply of open data by the voluntary sector. His previous experience includes an eye-opening 18 months as a Whitehall civil servant, and managing/delivering a variety of education programmes for voluntary organisations.
Twitter: @ejanderton

Tim Davies – co-founder, Practical Participation

Tim is a researcher, developer and facilitator working to explore the use of technologies for social change. His PhD studies at the University of Southampton are focused on the democratic and development impacts of open data. He is a consultant for AidInfo, working on open data with a variety of organisations, from some of the biggest government donors to the smallest grant-making charities.
Twitter: @timdavies

David Kane – research officer, NCVO

David leads on data analysis for NCVO's work on the size and scope of civil society, and was an author of the UK Civil Society Almanac 2012. David heads NCVO's research to classify voluntary sector organisations and on the opportunities that open data presents. David is a trustee of the Voluntary Sector Studies Network.
Twitter: @kanedr

Laura Conrad – policy and marketing officer, Barnsley Hospice

Laura provides policy, strategic and operational support for the hospice as well as taking the lead on day-to-day marketing activities and development. Laura uses data to improve communications with supporters, enhance the 'ask' and engage potential supporters/the wider community.
Twitter: @lauraconrad20

Chris Lucas – data and finance officer, Barnsley Hospice

Chris has opened up Barnsley Hospice's data, using it to collate, report and analyse wider internal/external issues regarding data. By doing this, the hospice has developed innovate reporting systems and is more informed about their stakeholders. There are many examples that highlight the benefits of opening up data – it can improve funding, transparency, impact reporting and much more.
Twitter: @BarnsleyHospice

Matthew O'Reilly - programme manager, The Indigo Trust

Matt is a programme manager with the Indigo Trust, a UK-based grant making foundation that funds technology-driven projects to bring about social change, mostly in African countries. Matt has led the trust's work around open data, helping them to become one of the first NGOs in the world to publish data via the International Aid Transparency Initiative Registry.
Twitter: @indigotrust

Ian Goodman - information systems team leader, Lasa

Ian leads the information sytems team at Lasa, prompting the best use of technology by third sector organisations to meet their mission through the provision of a number of free key resources to the sector. Ian has over 15 years' experience of working within the third sector specialising in the use of technology.
Twitter: @lasaict

Matt Parker - director, Lamplight Database Systems Limited

Matt is a developer at Lamplight, an off-the-shelf database system designed to allow charities to choose what information they want to record. Matt is also a trustee and volunteer.
Twitter: @lamplightdb

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