RTI Fellow Program Distinguished Lecture Series: Drs. Nancy Potok & Julia Lane present Democratizing Data — Realizing the Vision of Evidence Based Policy

High quality data is foundational to both empirical research and  evidence based policy making. Yet research is often stymied by lack of information about data. New and even experienced users lack answers to such basic questions as: 

• Who are the data experts on particular topics?
• How have data been used?
• How have data been combined and with what results?
• What measures have been developed?

Similarly many data producers, particularly federal agencies, are required to get feedback from data users, but in most instances, can't identify who is using their data and how it is being used. This lack of knowledge hinders the agencies' ability to demonstrate the value of their data and to guide future investments in data collection and management.  

In this presentation, Dr. Nancy Potok and Dr. Julia Lane provide an overview of new AI-based data search and discovery tools that have been developed to help data producers to better understand how their data investments are being used, data users to find resources for their research, and provide a foundation for greater collaborations among communities of interest in all sectors. The tools—available on the Democratizing Data website—have been developed in partnership with a number of federal agencies in response to the Evidence Act.

The presentation will be from 3-4pm, with a reception afterwards from 4-5pm.

Registration links:

• In-person
• Virtual via Zoom