Abstract

This paper presents a new information systems paradigm based on structured communications, that is to say, multi-party information exchanges in the context of dynamically defined sets of agreed purposes, roles, norms and ex- pectations. This is in contrast to the prevailing systems paradigm of Data pro- cessing and distribution where communication is achieved through the medium of a shared database and a pre-defined data model. A feature of the approach is that: 1. all content that persists in the platform takes the form of publications that have associated indelible provenance and are instances of architypes, 2. publications can only be generated and accessed in well-formed sessions, and 3. session and publication architypes are, themselves, publications that can be elaborated and re-published within the system as the result of administration conversations. The paper describes the problem that this approach addresses in terms of multi- agency information governance, the support of accountability in sensitive and high dependability situations and the need to support learning, growth and evolv- ing relationality in communities and consortia. The approach also aims to achieve Nissenbaum’s concept of Contextual Integrity as a systemic property. The resulting concept of a Trustworthy Governable Platform (TGP) is able to support and sustain the ongoing evolution of complex, socio-technical systems to create islands and archipelagos of safety and governance on existing technol- ogies and networks.

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