Equitable Data Frameworks for Policy & Engagement in Tulsa
Overview: In June 2024, co:census collaborated with the City of Tulsa and several local agencies—Partner Tulsa, Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity, and Impact Tulsa—to facilitate a series of workshops on equitable data practices. Sponsored by Bloomberg’s Center for Government Excellence, the workshops aimed to educate participants on using equitable data frameworks to enhance civic engagement, particularly in understanding housing and economic conditions. These workshops addressed inequitable practices in data collection and analysis, offering practical strategies to ensure cultural competence and reduce research fatigue.
Key Achievements:
Equitable Data Education: Participants were introduced to methods for addressing biases in data collection and the ethical considerations in research.
Hands-On Learning: Practical exercises in database design, qualitative data coding, and data narrative building allowed attendees to apply equitable frameworks in real-world scenarios.
Cultural Competence Focus: Emphasized the importance of cultural awareness in civic data practices, helping local agencies better understand and engage with diverse community experiences.
co:census Strategy
As part of our public engagement strategy, co:census developed workshops focused on empowering local government agencies in Tulsa to adopt equitable data frameworks. These frameworks were designed to enhance data collection practices, ensuring that community voices were accurately represented without contributing to harmful narratives or research fatigue. Through group activities and collaborative discussions, participants explored the nuances of data narratives, learned to identify biases, and became familiar with equitable approaches to policy engagement.
Partnership with JHU
co.census partnered with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) through Bloomberg’s Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) to enhance the quality of the Tulsa Workshops. This collaboration brought in expert insights from JHU, which helped shape the workshop structure and provided strategic guidance on equitable data frameworks. JHU's involvement ensured that the workshops focused on addressing nuanced issues, such as biased data collection and the ethical considerations of research fatigue.
Cultural Competency
Our workshops placed a strong emphasis on cultural competency. Attendees were encouraged to critically reflect on how their data collection practices could either empower or marginalize communities. During these sessions, co:census software enabled participants to see how real-time translation tools can aid in processing multilingual responses, making it easier for local agencies to engage with non-English speaking residents. We also made recommendations on the importance of adapting engagement methods to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of diverse populations, ensuring equitable participation in public consultations.
Outcomes
Achievements:
The workshops empowered agencies to integrate equitable data frameworks into their management and policy-making processes, enabling better engagement with marginalized communities. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to navigate and respect cultural differences in data collection, strengthening their cultural competence. Additionally, the hands-on nature of the workshops equipped attendees with practical skills in data analysis and reporting, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to enhance their engagement strategies.
