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| 15 Dec 2021 | |
| Written by Data Foundation | |
| Reports |
The Data Foundation continues to work toward improving society with data through new and ongoing research as well as key projects that tackle relevant and emerging issues.
This blog takes a look back at 2021 and just a few of the major accomplishments this year, with the support from our community members and partners.
New and Ongoing Research
The Data Foundation’s research educates and encourages business, society, and government to organize, analyze, and use information in support of informed decision-making. Our research this year explored the strategies for implementation of evidence-informed policymaking in the U.S. government, specifically related to the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act).
The bipartisan Evidence Act and OPEN Government Data Act include a requirement for federal agencies to designate Chief Data Officers (CDOs) with a specific set of statutory obligations and functions relevant for the entire agency. With many agencies now in compliance with the basic requirements of the law — identifying the individual to serve in the role of CDO — attention must be given to how a CDO can be positioned effectively within an agency to achieve success. The Data Foundation’s research this year included a focus on how CDOs can be successful in their role, including surveying CDOs to understand challenges examining how CDO offices are structured throughout the government, and looking at learning agenda formulation led by Evaluation Officers.
The Data Foundation, in partnership with Grant Thornton Public Sector, conducted its second survey of federal CDOs in 2021 to assess the progress of CDOs in fulfilling their responsibilities and supporting their agency missions. Multiple indicators suggest these agency leaders made substantial progress over the past year implementing the Evidence Act and the Federal Data Strategy.
There are multiple models that may be appropriate for agencies to employ in staffing, resourcing, and supporting new CDOs; there are also core criteria that agency heads must consider in the context of their agency’s respective mission and structures to ensure success. A Data Foundation white paper provides context for the new CDO roles in government, outlining core criteria for success of a CDO, and considering options for organizational placement and reporting.
In addition to creating new roles such as the CDO, the Evidence Act also requires agencies to draft evidence-building plans, or learning agendas. Multi-year learning agendas can be valuable tools for agencies to address long-standing challenges in promoting learning cultures and advancing evidence-informed decisions across federal agencies. In practice, learning agenda processes and approaches differ by agency, so the Data Foundation outlined the theory of change for developing and using a learning agenda, providing practitioners and government officials a useful framework for understanding the value proposition for agency evidence-building activities. The white paper reviews five learning agendas and identifies characteristics of learning agendas to inform agencies developing these resources over the next year.
Community Collaborations
The Data Foundation works to strengthen ties, educate, share knowledge, and encourage unified efforts between government agencies, industry organizations, and professionals who are focused on accessibility, quality, privacy, and use of data and evidence to make informed decisions.
One of the Data Foundation’s largest collaborative convenings of 2021 was our four-day virtual Data Symposium, in partnership with George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Over 400 attendees heard from over 35 peers in the data community about timely, relevant topics facing our country’s use of data for an equitable, data-informed society.
Policing in America
The Policing in America Project is a multi-pronged, open data effort to systematically improve evidence about how the American people view the criminal justice system and police forces. It is also a partnership with data.world, NORC at the University of Chicago, and Microsoft. This year, we conducted a house-hold survey in Chicago, Illinois and Dallas, Texas. Using random sampling conducted in 2021, the household survey is based on a questionnaire developed by national experts in criminal justice and policing. The results of this survey were published here and discussed on this episode of our DataShare podcast. The Data Coalition Initiative facilitates a strong national data community and advocates for responsible policies to make government data high-quality, accessible, and usable. We do this by convening communities of practice, providing insight and technical assistance on legislation, and working closely with the Executive Branch. Throughout 2021, the Data Coalition Initiative hosted several events to share knowledge across the community, including GovDATAx and the RegTech Series.
Communities of Practice
Data Coalition members offer extensive knowledge and expertise on pressing issues facing data users today. In 2021, the Data Coalition’s task forces and working groups developed policy materials describing existing challenges and proposing realistic policy solutions. These products are:
Events
In the Data Coalition’s RegTech 2021 Series, presented by Donnelley Financial Solutions, we explored what a new future looks like and the possibilities for accelerating data modernization to realize long-lasting and substantial benefits for regulators, businesses, and the American people. Through a series of webinars and podcasts, RegTech 2021 addressed emerging RegTech opportunities related to applications of artificial intelligence as well as standards and approaches for the next phase of environmental, social, and corporate governance in the United States.
GovDATAx 2021 is the leading national event for the data community to identify and consider the path forward to promote sustained innovation with technology and systems modernization, while advancing practical policies for improving the lives of the American people. This year, Data Coalition teamed up with Government Matters to create a multi-platform news program dedicated to providing non-partisan information and analysis on the federal government. This year featured keynotes from the Former House SpeakerPaul Ryan and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), as well as panels with data leaders throughout the federal government.
Advocacy and Action
In 2021, the Data Coalition’s advocacy efforts helped advance a number of legislative items that improve the national data infrastructure. Highlights include:
The Data Coalition will continue its advocacy and collaboration with Congress and the Executive Branch to promote the creation of evidence-informed policymaking. Part of this specifically includes capacity building for CDOs. Informed by the Data Foundation’s research and community input, the Data Coalition offered 12 recommendations to support CDOs as part of their planning for the next year.
Looking forward to 2022
2021 was a tremendously successful year for the Data Foundation’s research, collaboration, and advocacy activities. The next year will see continued change, with midterm elections and further implementation of key data policies. 2022 is shaping up to be an even more productive year than the last, with more opportunities for new collaborations, research, and advocacy.
The Data Foundation is looking forward to continuing our research, building a strong community, and finding more ways to improve government, business, and society through open data and evidence-informed public policy in 2022.
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