Public Consultation Feedback: Digital Health and Health Data Strategy 2030

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the Digital Health and Health Data Strategy 2030. The MSA welcomes the emphasis placed on patient-centred care, digital transformation, and innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence and health data. At the same time, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) within the design, implementation, and monitoring of this strategy, in order to assess how digital health reforms interact with social life, social inequalities, and existing patterns of access to healthcare.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

From this perspective, digital health and health data initiatives are not purely technical or administrative interventions, but social processes that may have differentiated impacts across population groups. These include, among others, issues related to digital health literacy, unequal access to digital tools, trust in data governance, data privacy, the reshaping of patient–provider relationships, and the implications of algorithmic decision-making for equity and accountability within healthcare systems. An SIA would ensure that public expectations are met, local norms are respected, and that exposure to risk (especially for the secondary use of health data) at different levels within society is mitigated. It also ensures transparency about AI training, including opportunities and limitations, and the inclusivity of minority groups in the building of health digital platforms to ensure accessibility.

Public Consultation Feedback - Regenerating White Rocks

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the development of new national parks, including the proposed transformation of White Rocks into a green public space for recreation and community use. The MSA strongly recommends the incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the planning and management of these spaces.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. The MSA emphasises that SIA should be an ongoing and participatory process, engaging local communities and diverse user groups over time. Embedding SIA in the development of national parks such as White Rocks would help ensure that these spaces are inclusive, accessible, and socially responsive in the long term.

Public Consultation Feedback: Realignment of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the Realignment of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which seeks to reposition Malta’s approach to AI by placing inclusivity and sustainability at its core. The MSA welcomes the explicit move away from a technology-first approach and the emphasis placed on ethical principles, public trust, and human oversight. In this context, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as a core component of the strategy’s design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positi
ve and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. Artificial intelligence strategies constitute profound social interventions that may reshape labour markets, public services, governance practices, social inequalities, and everyday decision-making. While AI presents significant opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also raises critical questions related to bias and discrimination, accountability, transparency, trust, data governance, and the distribution of risks and benefits across different social groups.

An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes. Embedding SIA within the National AI Strategy would strengthen its foundational principles, support adaptive governance, and help ensure that AI-driven innovation in Malta contributes to socially inclusive, equitable, and sustainable outcomes over time.

MSA's feedback on Social Media Reform

The MSA has participated in the Consultation on Social Media Reform. MSA welcomes the recognition of both the social value and the significant challenges associated with social media platforms, particularly concerning vulnerable groups such as children and young people. In this context, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of any regulatory or policy reforms concerning social media use and governance.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. Social Impact Assessment is an interdisciplinary process that draws on both quantitative and qualitative methods, and should be embedded as an ongoing and participatory practice, rather than a one-off exercise. The MSA emphasises the importance of engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including young people themselves, caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and civil society organisations, in order to better understand how platform design, algorithmic systems, and regulatory measures shape social behaviour. Particular attention should be paid to differentiated impacts across social groups, including children, adolescents, parents, educators, and those already experiencing forms of social or psychological vulnerability. Incorporating SIA within social media reform would enhance policy responsiveness, support evidence-informed regulation, and contribute to more socially attuned, proportionate, and effective governance of digital platforms in Malta.

Reflections on the Malta Sociology Conference 2025

 The Malta Sociological Association (MSA)'s annual conference took place on 8 November 2025 at the Salini Visitors' Centre, featuring a curated array of academic presentations centred on the theme of Sustainability and Society. Building on the legacy of past editions, this year felt different. Initially, many said their work wasn't about the environment, revealing how easily we talk about it as though we stand outside it.

We often frame "the environment" as if it existed separately, outside society. Yet the abstracts presented at this year's conference demonstrated the opposite: environmental and social sustainability are deeply interdependent. The conference was structured around four panels: (1) Infrastructure, Urban Environment and Society; (2) Environmental Sustainability; (3) Sociology of the Body, and (4) Policy, Culture and Community Building.

The panel discussions revealed a tightly woven tapestry of sustainability in Maltese society. Research on the financialisation of Malta's housing system showed how global economic pressures influence affordability and, in turn, community stability. This is closely linked to research on low-income households in Senglea and among Syrian migrants, demonstrating that resilience extends beyond material conditions to include social networks, care structures, and a sense of security. Perceptions of neighbourhood crime likewise shape trust in public spaces and confidence in decision-making. Across the four panels, contributors showed how environmental, social, cultural, and infrastructural issues are intertwined and politically shaped by constant contestation.

Controversies in urban planning, exemplified through local case studies, illustrated how decisions are shaped by social forces and competing interests, underscoring the need for continuous, community-informed impact assessment. Similarly, research on maritime politics showed how NGOs navigate power to protect coastal resources, and studies on island resource management echoed these dynamics, revealing how multiple interests vying over limited resources must be mediated through governance. Concurrently, discourse analysis of sustainability reporting revealed how public narratives shape environmental priorities.    

While the above research evidenced social sustainability, an uncomfortable truth also emerged. If sustainability is about inclusion, why do so many Maltese corporations still hesitate to employ persons with disabilities in meaningful roles?

Separate research considering the human body through a different but complementary lens, that of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine, showed how cultural norms, personal agency, and evolving understandings of wellbeing shape individuals' choices about appearance. Rather than pathologising these practices, research demonstrated how the body has become a meaningful site for negotiating identity and self-expression, prompting timely reflection on how a healthcare system responds to diverse needs while remaining sustainable.

Similarly, work on tattoos approached the body as a site of cultural expression, reminding us that sustainability also involves sustaining the meanings and identities people carry. Research on cinema similarly showed how shared film spaces help preserve cultural memory and continuity.

Meanwhile, research on youth policy highlighted how care and participation shape young people's sense of belonging, while community initiatives showed how everyday acts of involvement can strengthen social ties. Finally, research on early childhood climate anxiety reminded us that sustainability has an emotional undercurrent, where children under eight worry about the world's future.

The official journal of the Department of Sociology, SociologyMT, was also featured during the conference. To conclude, we warmly thank APS Bank for supporting this year's event.

 

Donnah Calleja is a Research Support Officer at the Department of Sociology, UOM, and member of the Malta Sociological Association

❄️✨ MSA Winter Social Event ✨❄️

Join us for an evening filled with great company, warm vibes, and cheer! 🎶🥂

📅 16 January 2026

⏰ 7:00 PM

📍 Naranjas, Lija Band Club

Let’s come together for an evening with fellow members and friends 🤍🎄

👉 Register here:

🔗
Registration Form

✨ We look forward to seeing you there! ✨

7th Edition of the Visibility of the Invisible Series: Exploring Hidden Struggles in Mental Health

 As part of the "Visibility of the Invisible" seminar series, which is annually organised during December,  International Human Rights Month, the Malta Sociological Association (MSA) will hold the webinar "Exploring Hidden Struggles in Mental Health".

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion with international experts who will share diverse insights, experiences, and strategies for supporting mental well-being across different contexts.

Register Here