Skip to content

1. Background & Purpose

HEALTHWISE seeks to enable global health research through federated analytics and federated learning, balancing the twin imperatives of data utility and local control and governance.

The consortium recognises that the technology for secure, privacy-preserving analytics exists, but its broader adoption is hindered by gaps in governance, alignment, and equity.

Its founding principles — Enable, Empower, Equity — guide efforts to foster collaborations that maintain data privacy, support local governance, and expand access for underrepresented settings.

The HEALTHWISE Consortium provides a free, open, collaborative network for researchers, technologists, policymakers, and institutions to coordinate, share knowledge, co-develop resources, and pursue joint projects.

Objectives

  • Foster regular dialogue and coordination across institutions working on federated health data analytics.
  • Promote joint publications, shared tools, and harmonised approaches.
  • Identify and apply for funding to support collaborative activities, capacity-building, and infrastructure.
  • Cultivate inclusive membership from diverse geographical, institutional, and disciplinary backgrounds.
  • Uphold rigorous standards of governance, privacy, ethics, and equity in federation.

2. Membership

Eligibility & Selection

  • Membership is free of charge — no fees or dues are required to participate.
  • Any individual or organisation sharing an interest in federated health data research, data governance, and equitable collaboration is eligible to join.
  • As part of the membership process, the consortium will review the organisation that the individual represents — and, where relevant, the country in which it is based — to ensure alignment with the consortium’s principles for healthcare improvement and equitable participation.
  • Prospective members are encouraged to reach out to an existing member, who will present their case at the next monthly meeting for endorsement by the group.
  • Final membership confirmation is by consensus during a regular meeting.
  • Prospective members will be notified by email; if a member is not successful the detail for this will not be provided in the email

Expectations of Members

  • Attend monthly teleconferences (or send a delegate).
  • Contribute actively to discussions, working groups, or collaborative outputs.
  • Adhere to the consortium’s Code of Conduct.
  • Support joint efforts (e.g. publications, proposals) and share relevant knowledge, tools, or data (as permissible by local governance).
  • Notify the coordination team or membership if unable to continue active participation.

3. Meetings & Governance

Teleconferences

The consortium meets monthly via teleconference. The agenda is circulated in advance; meeting notes and action items are collectively written. Additional thematic or task-group calls may be convened as needed between the regular meetings.

Coordination Team

  • A small voluntary coordination team may assist with agenda-setting, logistics, communications, and documentation.
  • The coordination team does not hold veto power or unilateral decision-making authority unless explicitly delegated by the membership.
  • Coordination roles may rotate periodically to maintain shared responsibility.

Decision-Making

  • The default mode is consensus-based decision-making.
  • If consensus is not achievable, decisions may be carried by a simple majority of those present (or represented) at the meeting.
  • Strong objections may be recorded and revisited in subsequent meetings.

4. Code of Conduct & Inclusion

HEALTHWISE is committed to inclusivity, diversity, and respect. All members and participants are expected to:

  • Treat others with courtesy, professionalism, and respect, regardless of background, geography, discipline, language, or institutional affiliation.
  • Uphold a safe, welcoming environment — harassment, discrimination, or exclusionary behaviors are not acceptable.
  • Engage constructively, listening actively, acknowledging different perspectives, and avoiding attacks on individuals.
  • Promote equity and amplify underrepresented voices, particularly from low- and middle-income contexts or regions with limited capacity.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest, particularly when pursuing funding, commercial engagements, or partnerships.
  • Respect data governance, privacy, and ethical constraints when sharing tools, data, or methods.

If violations occur, a member may raise a concern with the coordination team, who will facilitate resolution or mediation. Serious or repeated breaches may lead to suspension or termination of membership, as agreed by consensus of the group.

5. Collaborative Activities & Outputs

  • Members are encouraged to initiate or join collaborative workstreams, including method development, tool-building, benchmarks, standards, or governance frameworks.
  • Joint publications, white papers, technical reports, and policy briefs are key outputs. Credit, authorship, and intellectual property should be agreed upon transparently in each collaborative group.
  • The consortium will proactively seek external funding (e.g. grants, consortium awards, philanthropic support) to support shared infrastructure, capacity-building, training, pilot projects, and consortium coordination.
  • Funding proposals should be reviewed by or discussed with the membership (or coordination team) before submission to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.

6. Review & Amendment

These Terms of Reference should be reviewed annually, or sooner if circumstances change significantly (e.g. scale, membership, funding responsibilities). Any amendments must be proposed in advance and ratified by consensus or majority vote at a regular meeting.