TDF FOUNDATION
Academic Research
Academic Research Projects
Project 1
Columbia University Data Science Institute & the Partnership for Public Service
Background
Data and evidence can transform federal agencies.
Enabling them to identify what works, stop doing what does not, and improve important programs and operations, all of which may lead to better outcomes for the American people. With the Foundations for Evidenced-Based Policymaking Act, the OPEN Government Data Act, and the Federal Data Strategy, expectations for data governance, emphasis on data skill building, and increasingly rigorous data practices for decision-making are becoming far more common across government. The Biden administration has made policy pronouncements demonstrating their support for protecting, maturing, and investing in these efforts, and with the desire to integrate an equity lens. Even so, the movement is nascent, with talent recruitment, career pathing, governance, leadership, cultural, and technical gaps, as well as the need to balance compliance demands with transformation potential.
Proposal
The Partnership for Public Service (Partnership) and the Columbia University Data Science Institute (DSI) propose a two-year collaboration
That would lay a foundation for both organizations to advance government’s progress in these areas, based on the Partnership’s emerging Data and Insights Strategy. As substantive experts and enablers of government effectiveness, the Partnership and DSI would place priority on developing the following as examples:
Strengthening government’s ability
to access and productively manage cutting-edge data science talent
Empowering agency leaders
to develop a strong data and evidence culture
Producing bridge-building networks and thought-leadership
that connect real-world government challenges with academic data science experience.
Utilizing the expertise of the DSI and building on the Institute’s cadre of Research Scientists and Post-Doctoral Fellows the DSI would add a Research Fellow for a two-year term position that would work closely with the Partnership for Public Service in implementing the first phase of its Data and Insights Strategy, with priority on the issues above. The Research Fellow would bring a multidisciplinary background spanning academia and public service, with a strong understanding of federal data challenges, limitations, and opportunities.
The Research Fellow’s two-year tenure will include prioritization of the program design, network building, and talent pathway exploration necessary to lay the groundwork for supporting the Partnership and DSI’s initial objectives in government data transformation.
Activities may include:
The Research Fellow’s two-year tenure will include prioritization of the program design, network building, and talent pathway exploration necessary to lay the groundwork for supporting the Partnership and DSI’s initial objectives in government data transformation.
Activities may include:
Leadership Data Acumen:
Supporting curriculum design for federal leaders on data-driven leadership (as part of the Partnership’s extensive leadership development programs). The Partnership has extensive experience delivering leadership development programs that strengthen the capacity of federal employees at all levels. Federal leaders must understand how to be better consumers, drivers, and sharers of data, and how they can use it to transform their agencies. The Research Fellow would collaborate with DSI and the Partnership to advise on curriculum design for a future program enabling senior executives across government to guide their agencies’ management and utilization of data.
Government Data Science Boot Camp:
Scoping a boot camp for federal employees performing data science work in government to support their onboarding into government missions. The Partnership’s research has made clear that a critical struggle for federal agencies in retaining young talent is helping new hires immediately connect their skills and interests with agency missions. This is a particular struggle for young talent with less familiarity with government priorities or culture, or for those in emerging fields without decades of public sector practice. Building on the Partnership’s successful “Ready to Govern” training programs, the Research Fellow would advise on the design of an onboarding program for early career data talent to introduce them to government ethos, culture, needs, and tactics for success, accelerating their path to productivity.
Federal Data IPA Program:
Designing, securing interest in, and initiating recruitment for multi-year early-career data scientist placement program in the federal government, using Intergovernmental Personnel Act Authority. The Research Fellow would work within and grow Partnership networks in the federal government to develop a multi-year fellowship program for post-doctoral data scientists in the federal government, for which the Partnership would serve as a clearinghouse. The purpose of this program would be to work to further define the field of data science and data utilization in government agencies. Fellows could add tremendous value to agencies that are still exploring the full range of opportunities presented by data science; fellows themselves would benefit with hands-on experience of public management challenges, and the Partnership and DSI would mutually benefit by harnessing their lessons learned.
Thought Leadership and Network Building:
Conducting and advising on cutting-edge research related to federal data maturity, application, needs, and opportunity, and building connections across the federal government and among academic counterparts to build productive connections.
Working with various Columbia schools/departments, and governmental agencies that are partnered with the Partnership, the individual may also utilize current and/or develop new data science applications and tools to support the Partnership’s research mission. The individual will spend time at the Columbia campus and at the Partnership offices in Washington, DC.
Working with various Columbia schools/departments, and governmental agencies that are partnered with the Partnership, the individual may also utilize current and/or develop new data science applications and tools to support the Partnership’s research mission. The individual will spend time at the Columbia campus and at the Partnership offices in Washington, DC.
The Research Fellow’s contributions would lay the groundwork for launch of these initiatives, with cross-pollination into other Partnership and DSI priorities.
Project 2
University of Maryland: Quantum Technology Center
Quantum Catalyzer, LLC (Q-Cat) was founded in September 2020 with the mission of lowering the barriers to entry for quantum technologies.
New research and developments in the quantum technology space are happening across many markets, from computing, government & defense, health care, materials, and beyond. Q-Cat catalyzes the best ideas in quantum science coming out of top academic labs into the formation of successful companies. The focus is on IP that has the potential to go to market in the near term.
Q-Cat’s vision came from the company’s founder, Dr. Ronald L. Walsworth, a world leader in quantum sensing.
Dr. Walsworth spent many years at Harvard University as a researcher and professor. In addition to being the Chief Scientific Officer of Q-Cat, he serves as a Minta Martin Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and of Physics at the University of Maryland, which he joined in 2019. He is also the Founding Director of the Quantum Technology Center at UMD.
Q-Cat creates early-stage quantum companies and empowers them to take their first key steps through expert guidance and essential resources.
While traditional technology incubators support young companies already in existence, the Q-Cat model is to identify the most promising ideas in quantum technology and create companies, serving as co-founders and providing critical, multi-faceted support.
IDEA Factory Dedication
October 5, 2023
TDF Board of Directors Visit
