The Future of Federal Statistics and Data

Speaker: Nancy A. Potok (EOP/OMB)

Abstract: New opportunities are opening up, thanks to recently enacted legislation and an inaugural Federal Data Strategy. The recent Federal Data Strategy and the Foundations of Evidence-based Policy Making Act of 2018 (Evidence Act) are a powerful match. Their vision: to create partnerships between federal agencies, state and local governments, academia, and industry to effectively mine the value of  troves of carefully curated and shared data.  The changes taking place, along with efforts by the Federal statistical agencies to modernize the Federal Statistical System will be a watershed in how we access and use federal data, including new methodologies, new datasets, and new quality challenges to solve.  All stakeholders will be affected, whether in academia, government, or the private sector.