2025 Data Foundation Research Symposium: Revisiting Examples of Best Practices, Innovative Programs, and Actionable Solutions for a Better Government

For the past five years, the Data Foundation and George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration has invited the academic community, policy-makers and -influencers, practitioners, and data scientists to present examples and use cases where the public and private sectors are successfully using data and evidence to improve decision-making.

This year's symposium marks an important milestone as we revisit select presentations from previous years to evaluate their long-term impact. Our focus will be on four key areas:

• Examining which data-driven approaches yielded measurable results and sustainable improvements

• Exploring successful models of public-private sector collaboration in data sharing and analysis

• Identifying practical frameworks for implementing evidence-based and data-informed decision making within government institutions

• Evaluating governance mechanisms for responsible data use that balance innovation with privacy protections and appropriate standards for data stewardship

The symposium aims to build upon our collective knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen the data community's capacity to drive meaningful improvements in governance and policy implementation. By reviewing past successes and challenges, we can help identify forward-looking strategies that can further advance the use of data as a cornerstone of effective decision-making.