Data for Policy is inviting proposals for 1.5-hour workshops for a pre-conference program on 14th September aimed at educating policy practitioners and researchers on current and emerging knowledge and debates on topics that intersect data and public policy. In exceptional cases, allocation of multiple 1.5-hour slots on the same theme will also be considered.
Deadline: April 20, 2020 extended to May 20, 2020 due to Covid-19 disruptions.
We are seeking a selection of workshops that preview or complement the conference program. Proposals from the academic, government, and private sector of a non-commercial nature are welcome. Accepted workshop proposals will be published on the conference website and advertised for registration.
Workshop Goals
Valuable workshops are those that advance participant’s ability to be critical and informed consumers or producers of data based evidence, understand the differences between causal inference and prediction, and be cognizant of the potential and limitations of new data sources and computational methods for public policy and program delivery. Topics can fall into three areas and cover:
- Technical to policy translation on data sources such as the internet, IoT, social media, administrative, satellite and other remotely-sensed, computation methods and technologies (e.g. AI, Blockchain), and popular/ open-access data and document sharing and management tools.
- Policy to technical translation covering how the policy process works, points of decision-making and the use of data; current methods of program delivery including coverage, measurement and evaluation; legal and policy frameworks governing data production, acquisition, sharing and use.
- Sector applications in particular policy fields such as health, education, climate, transportation, employment, finance and management, governance and democracy, and security.
We have two target audiences in mind. These are:
Executive, Policy and Practitioner:
These participants are key decision-makers and influencers primarily in the public sector, but also in private and not-for-profit organizations with social responsibility in health, education, transportation or any field where knowledge and expertise will be complemented by a greater understanding of the technical domain, including what is meant by privacy, how to work and communicate with data scientists, using data and technology to improve program delivery, estimating the cost-effectiveness of different digital technologies, and anticipating the regulatory and ethical implications. Proposals that target this audience should think of relatively introductory level instruction pertaining to the language, landscape, value, uses and likely impacts of different technologies and data sources.
Researchers and Data Scientists Specializing in Government and Public Applications:
These participants are researchers and analysts from the social or computing sciences or other fields, such as law and philosophy. Proposals that target this audience should be clear about any assumed background training for a workshop more focused on producers of knowledge using new technologies, data, and methods, and the policy implications of the research.
General audience workshops that both groups can attend may also be proposed.
Workshops and Tutorials day is chaired by Professor Leigh Anderson from University of Washington.
Queries can be directed to team@dataforpolicy.org
Submissions should be made via EasyChair (please see guidelines for further instructions).