Turning Federal Data Into Action

Jed talks with Denice Ross, Senior Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and former U.S. Chief Data Scientist, about federal data's role in American life and what happens when government data tools sunset. Denice led efforts to use disaggregated data to drive better outcomes for all Americans during her time as Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and now works on building a Federal Data Use Case Repository documenting how federal datasets affect everyday decisions. The conversation explores why open data initiatives have evolved over the years and how administrative priorities shape public data tool availability. Denice emphasizes that federal data underpins economic growth, public health decisions, and governance at every level. She describes how data users can engage with data stewards to create feedback loops that improve data quality, and why nonprofits and civil society organizations play an essential role in both data collection and advocacy. Throughout the discussion, Denice and Jed examine the balance between official government data products and innovative tools built by external organizations. They discuss creative solutions for filling data gaps, the importance of identifying tools as "powered by federal data" to preserve datasets, and strategies for protecting federal data accessibility for the long term.LINKS AND RESOURCES - Denice Ross at the Federation of American Scientists: https://fas.org/expert/denice-ross/ - The federal data and tools that died this year (Marketplace): https://www.marketplace.org/episode/2025/11/25/the-federal-data-and-tools-that-died-this-yearTAKEAWAYS 1. Federal data underpins daily life — From public health decisions to economic planning, federal datasets inform choices that affect Americans whether they realize it or not. 2. Data tools require active protection — When administrative priorities shift, public data tools can disappear. Building awareness of data dependencies helps preserve access. 3. Feedback loops improve data quality — Data users should engage directly with data stewards. Public participation in the data lifecycle leads to better, more relevant datasets. 4. Civil society fills critical gaps — Nonprofits and external organizations can collect data and advocate for data resources in ways government cannot. 5. Disaggregated data drives equity — Breaking down aggregate statistics reveals disparities and enables targeted interventions that benefit underserved communities. 6. External innovation complements government stability – A healthy ecosystem keeps federal data stable while enabling community-driven tools to evolve and serve specific needs. ---Great Data Products is brought to you by Source Cooperative. Learn more at https://greatdataproducts.com