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NORC at the University Chicago
Advancing the national data strategy to support evidence-based policymaking.

The federal government collects vast amounts of data, but making this data accessible, linkable, and secure remains challenging. The bi-partisan Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) envisions a National Secure Data Service (NSDS) that would facilitate the use of public data by providing a platform of shared services.

Implementing an NSDS is a complex undertaking. Success will require thoughtful design that maximizes future utility while addressing the diverse needs of participating agencies and researchers.

NORC’s Public Data Infrastructure Capabilities

We leverage expert knowledge and comprehensive services to create innovative data infrastructure solutions, including:

  • Research and Development: Conducting studies on advanced data linkage methodologies, privacy-preserving techniques, and user-centered data platforms to inform best practices.   
  • Technical Assistance: Providing direct support to agencies in implementing data infrastructure improvements, ensuring alignment with NSDS goals and agency-specific needs.  
  • Tool Development: Creating and maintaining cutting-edge data usage platforms and technical tools to support and enhance the evolving data infrastructure ecosystem.  
  • Capacity Building: Developing targeted workshops and materials to build expertise among data providers and users, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making across agencies.  

Our Experts

Highlighted Projects

Secure Compute Environment Testbed (SCET)

Facilitating secure data access and enabling data linkage and sharing across federal, state, and local agencies, along with tribal organizations

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing Data Quality, Standardization & Integration

Applying innovative data science methods to create datasets that support evidence-based decision-making

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Data Usage Platform as a Federal Data Asset

User experience research and prototyping for a federal data usage platform

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Data Concierge Models for a National Secure Data Service

Developing novel models and tools to assist federal data users

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Data Protection Toolkit Use Case Analysis

Using qualitative methods to evaluate the Data Protection Toolkit’s usefulness and identify possible improvements

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Linking Parent & Statistical Agency Data

Linking NCSES SED and NSF PI data to inform future linkages between a statistical agency and its parent agency

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

America’s DataHub Consortium

Demonstrating replicable processes for acquiring and providing secure access to linked data sources

Client:

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics