Making the Invisible Visible
SumAll.org hosted our Compassionate Data event in NYC to ask you how data can change the world. This is what you told us.
A group of policy researchers, international developers, data scientists, NGO/NPO professionals, urban planners, advocates, designers and programmers met at 532 Gallery in Chelsea on an August evening to explore, together, how data can be leveraged for real, and positive, social impact.
SumAll.org gathered speakers from civic tech and beyond with case studies spanned the globe--from Kenya to Egypt to NYC. Our conversations explored data in all its forms: visual, community-collected, high-tech and low.
DATA: IN YOUR OWN WORDS
Our team created a photo booth for the event--and it wasn't just for fun. We conceptualized the photo booth as a space for you to start the conversation: to tell us what data means to you, and how you think it can impact social change.
These are just some of the ways you described the power of data: transparency, accountability, participation, humanity. All responses are included on this open Google Doc and the word cloud below.
INFORMAL MAPS AND FORMAL SYSTEMS
@larrybuch explains how the #NYTimes uses data to explain the world. #compassionatedata http://t.co/GrUW7EW1eE
— Michael Hickey (@manabouttownnyc) August 19, 2014
Buchanan, who has also vizualized data for the New Yorker, described how and why he created this project: Inequality and the NYC Subway System.
@larrybuch talks about how #data graphics make info more accessible, allow deeper insight. #compassionatedata
— Michael Hickey (@manabouttownnyc) August 19, 2014
FORMAL MAPS AND INFORMAL SYSTEMS
Sarah Williams, of the MIT Civic Data Lab, shared with us just some of her work with the Digital Matatus project, a collaborative research and mapping of Nairobi's largest transportation system: informally organized matatu taxis. Her most powerful point was that taking data to stakeholders can incite real change. And that data need not be high-tech. Williams' team's impact was felt with the creation of a simple, yet elegant, map of the matatu system--the first of its kind.
"Take data and make it into something more impactful..." from MIT's @datasew with @SumAllOrg #compassionatedata
— shea molloy (@papermashea) August 20, 2014
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
Empower overlooked demographics, challenge bogus data by getting communities involved in their own planning #compassionatedata w/@SumAllOrg
— shea molloy (@papermashea) August 20, 2014
Mitali Ayyangar shared her experiences working with SPARC (a Mumbai-based NGO associated with Slum Dwellers International) where she had the opportunity to interact with and document the simple mechanisms used by inhabitants of informal settlements, or slums, to bring about positive change and development. Ayyangar explained how community-driven data collection is a tool of empowerment--one that community members and advocates can leverage to communicate with steakholders and create real impact.
.@tali_launch: The value of community generated data is ownership. The power of these data is in advocacy.
— JD Godchaux (@jdgodchaux) August 20, 2014
DATA ISN'T ALWAYS HIGH-TECH
.@bodaceacat: The tech is ever only 10% of a project. The rest is the hard part!
— JD Godchaux (@jdgodchaux) August 20, 2014
Sara-Janye Terp, Director of Data Projects at Ushahidi discussed the development of HarassMap an anonymous reporting and mapping system for street harassment in Egypt. Although Terp highlighted work of a seemingly high-tech product, she also mentioned one key point that resonated with the audience: "technology is only 10% of the solution." The rest--working within communities, conceptualizing a product with real impact--is the hard part.
Inspiring stories of impact at #compassionatedata. Let's keep making the invisible visible @SumAllOrg
— Claire Manibog (@manib0g) August 20, 2014
Epilogue
@SumAllOrg thx for hosting #CompassionateData with @CivicDataDesign @bodaceacat @larrybuch. Great to see the #data4good community growing!
— Sara Cornish (@s_nish) August 20, 2014
Save the date! We're hosting our next Compassionate Data event in late-September.