Stephen Goldsmith
@goldsmithongov.bsky.social
Director of @datasmartcities.bsky.social at Harvard University.
Professor at harvardkennedy.bsky.social.
Host of the #DataSmartCityPod.
Urban innovation & civic data.
https://datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/
Professor at harvardkennedy.bsky.social.
Host of the #DataSmartCityPod.
Urban innovation & civic data.
https://datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/
I'm very pleased to share this #DataSmartCityPod ep that I recorded with Dr. Sara Naomi Bleich. Over the summer she spoke to our Chiefs of Staff cohort, and her talk was so important that I asked her to come on our podcast to share her insights & advice. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10...
October 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I'm very pleased to share this #DataSmartCityPod ep that I recorded with Dr. Sara Naomi Bleich. Over the summer she spoke to our Chiefs of Staff cohort, and her talk was so important that I asked her to come on our podcast to share her insights & advice. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10...
It's an HKS x GSD crossover episode today: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-wald... I had the pleasure of connecting with a colleague at the @gsd.harvard.edu, Charles Waldheim, who hosts the Future of the American City podcast.
October 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
It's an HKS x GSD crossover episode today: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-wald... I had the pleasure of connecting with a colleague at the @gsd.harvard.edu, Charles Waldheim, who hosts the Future of the American City podcast.
2/ His insights on #disastermanagement and how to prevent crises are incredibly important. As he explains, we need to use people, platforms, and data together to address some of the most urgent #publichealth and environmental issues facing cities today. Subscribe to #DataSmartCityPod to hear more!
September 17, 2025 at 10:40 PM
2/ His insights on #disastermanagement and how to prevent crises are incredibly important. As he explains, we need to use people, platforms, and data together to address some of the most urgent #publichealth and environmental issues facing cities today. Subscribe to #DataSmartCityPod to hear more!
1/ I had the chance to talk with Dr. Andrew Schroeder ahead of the heat simulation workshop we're doing tomorrow, with the @centerforcities.bsky.social, The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at @harvard.edu, and other great partners. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c...
How Cities Can Use Data to Transform Disaster Response | Data-Smart City Solutions
Hear from Dr. Andrew Schroeder how cities can break down data silos and build integrated, actionable platforms to better respond to public health and environmental emergencies. Schroeder explains to h...
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
September 17, 2025 at 10:34 PM
1/ I had the chance to talk with Dr. Andrew Schroeder ahead of the heat simulation workshop we're doing tomorrow, with the @centerforcities.bsky.social, The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at @harvard.edu, and other great partners. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c...
On our new #DataSmartCityPod, I spoke with frequent co-host and #govtech expert Santiago Garces datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/statgpt-futu...
We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app
We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app
August 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
On our new #DataSmartCityPod, I spoke with frequent co-host and #govtech expert Santiago Garces datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/statgpt-futu...
We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app
We spoke about #stat, #performancemanagement, and #GenAI, plus shared highlights from our recent city workshop. Listen at the link or through your preferred app
Some great lessons in here, not just for parking/curb management but also any other area that needs better management, data, and competitiveness.
Our newest article outlines how @boston.gov shook up a long-term contract and built a modular RFP that improves flexibility, data-sharing, and creativity: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/seeking-bett...
Read below to learn how the team approached this project and what benefits they're already seeing!
Read below to learn how the team approached this project and what benefits they're already seeing!
Seeking Better Parking Data, Boston Breaks Up its Giant Contract | Data-Smart City Solutions
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
August 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Some great lessons in here, not just for parking/curb management but also any other area that needs better management, data, and competitiveness.
Many thanks to Miguel Carrasco for coming on the #DataSmartCityPod and talking #AI, #GenAI, & #government datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/07...
Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust
Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust
July 9, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Many thanks to Miguel Carrasco for coming on the #DataSmartCityPod and talking #AI, #GenAI, & #government datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/07...
Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust
Hear how officials are approaching AI responsibly, the role of AI in #servicedelivery, and what BCG's research says about #emergingtech and #trust
My latest piece on #mobility #parking and #curbmanagement, touching on the ideas of the late #DonaldShoup and looking at the potential of technology to "right size" costs and usage.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...
Policy Change, Technology Key to Better Curb Management
June 9, 2025 Mobility
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
June 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
My latest piece on #mobility #parking and #curbmanagement, touching on the ideas of the late #DonaldShoup and looking at the potential of technology to "right size" costs and usage.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/policy-chang...
Happy to share that my full conversation with Cleveland Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social is available as an episode of the #DataSmartCityPod : datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ma...
We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.
We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.
Exclusive: Mayor Bibb is Connecting Climate and Community Health in Cleveland
June 4, 2025 Public Health
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
June 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Happy to share that my full conversation with Cleveland Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social is available as an episode of the #DataSmartCityPod : datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ma...
We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.
We spoke at the African American Mayors Assoc. conference about what a mayor can do for #cleanair and #publichealth.
2/ Check out the resources for mayors we shared at the conference: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/three-resour...
And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.
And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.
May 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
2/ Check out the resources for mayors we shared at the conference: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/three-resour...
And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.
And many thanks to our Community Data Health Initiative partners @envdefensefund.bsky.social @meharrymed.bsky.social and African American Mayors Association.
1/ Today is the first day of Air Quality Awareness Week #AQAW2025. At the recent African American Mayor's Association conference, I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social about how - and why - he's addressing air pollution in Cleveland.
May 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
1/ Today is the first day of Air Quality Awareness Week #AQAW2025. At the recent African American Mayor's Association conference, I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor @justinmbibb.bsky.social about how - and why - he's addressing air pollution in Cleveland.
Many thanks to Mayors Monroe Nichols and Libby Schaaf for coming to speak at our Project on Municipal Innovation convening. Thank you for sharing your energy and passion with our attendees, and for recording an exclusive Q&A for our podcast the #DataSmartCityPod. Available wherever you listen!
New episode alert! We have an exclusive conversation with fmr @cityofoakland.bsky.social Mayor Libby Schaaf and Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols on the #DataSmartCityPod datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/exclusive-ad...
Listen on our site or wherever you get your podcasts for a fun, insightful conversation 🎧
Listen on our site or wherever you get your podcasts for a fun, insightful conversation 🎧
Exclusive: Advancing Educational Attainment and Future-Proofing Policies with Mayor Monroe Nichols and Mayor Libby Schaaf
April 23, 2025 Education
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
April 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Many thanks to Mayors Monroe Nichols and Libby Schaaf for coming to speak at our Project on Municipal Innovation convening. Thank you for sharing your energy and passion with our attendees, and for recording an exclusive Q&A for our podcast the #DataSmartCityPod. Available wherever you listen!
This is a critical resource for mayors, providing a roadmap that will help improve resident health and well-being - as well as provide economic returns. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/addressing-a...
April 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is a critical resource for mayors, providing a roadmap that will help improve resident health and well-being - as well as provide economic returns. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/addressing-a...
A great panel today at #SmartCityExpoUSA with Shin-pei Tsay, Vítor Moreira, and Shannon Macika. Always a pleasure to talk #smartcities, #govinnovation, and bold solutions, while playing a little "smart city mythbusters."
April 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A great panel today at #SmartCityExpoUSA with Shin-pei Tsay, Vítor Moreira, and Shannon Macika. Always a pleasure to talk #smartcities, #govinnovation, and bold solutions, while playing a little "smart city mythbusters."
I had a great conversation with two pillars in the field of #governmentinnovation, civic transformation, #AI #GenAI, possibility government...the list goes on, but having Mitch Weiss and @boston.gov Santiago Garces on the #DataSmartCityPod was such a treat. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/generative-a...
April 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I had a great conversation with two pillars in the field of #governmentinnovation, civic transformation, #AI #GenAI, possibility government...the list goes on, but having Mitch Weiss and @boston.gov Santiago Garces on the #DataSmartCityPod was such a treat. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/generative-a...
A great start to the morning at our Urban Heat Resiliency Design Workshop. Supported by RWJF, our Community Data Health Initiative is dedicated to advancing city-led solutions to extreme heat, and supporting leaders in their goal to make safer, healthier cities for everyone.
March 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
A great start to the morning at our Urban Heat Resiliency Design Workshop. Supported by RWJF, our Community Data Health Initiative is dedicated to advancing city-led solutions to extreme heat, and supporting leaders in their goal to make safer, healthier cities for everyone.
This morning I was honored to host business and academic leaders from Japan, to join in conversation at at Harvard University on the best international smart city practices. A great discussion on the abilities of new technologies and artificial intelligence. #collaboration #smartcities #AI
March 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This morning I was honored to host business and academic leaders from Japan, to join in conversation at at Harvard University on the best international smart city practices. A great discussion on the abilities of new technologies and artificial intelligence. #collaboration #smartcities #AI
I had a great time last week in #Milan speaking at the Feel #GovTechForum. What an exciting group to be a part of, with such global leaders in #technology, #publicpolicy and #democracy. Many thanks to Marcello Coppa and team for hosting this event.
March 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I had a great time last week in #Milan speaking at the Feel #GovTechForum. What an exciting group to be a part of, with such global leaders in #technology, #publicpolicy and #democracy. Many thanks to Marcello Coppa and team for hosting this event.
Cameron Trimble spoke to our Chiefs of Staff network about how mayors can utilize local influencers, social media, & digital content to effectively share their messages. It was so important and relevant that I asked him to come on the #DataSmartCityPod. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/mayors-messa...
Mayors, Messaging, and Cutting Through a Fractured Media Environment
March 12, 2025 Civic Engagement
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
March 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Cameron Trimble spoke to our Chiefs of Staff network about how mayors can utilize local influencers, social media, & digital content to effectively share their messages. It was so important and relevant that I asked him to come on the #DataSmartCityPod. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/mayors-messa...
My latest white paper, out today 👇
"The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."
"The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."
New research out: examining 6 components of successful change management, based on cities awarded SMART grants. Insights from @goldsmithongov.bsky.social can help cities advance their curb management regardless of funding, with an emphasis on digital infra. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/case-study-c...
A Case Study in Change Management
March 5, 2025 Infrastructure
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
March 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My latest white paper, out today 👇
"The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."
"The curb today is a complex place where multiple departments share jurisdiction amid competing needs of residents, businesses, and many others...the curb is more than a concrete slab. It’s a critical test of a city’s ability to execute change management."
I could have spent another hour or two talking with Sarah and Santi. Incredibly important insights that are grounded in their work with constituents, and I'm excited to see more cities adopt this type of community-driven #GenAI work.
🎧Hear how small language models can revamp community engagement #DataSmartCityPod datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/power-commun...
@goldsmithongov.bsky.social, Santi Garces @boston.gov, and Sarah Williams @mitofficial.bsky.social discuss how #GenAI is transforming how cities - and residents - use data.
@goldsmithongov.bsky.social, Santi Garces @boston.gov, and Sarah Williams @mitofficial.bsky.social discuss how #GenAI is transforming how cities - and residents - use data.
The Power of Community-Driven Small Language Models
February 19, 2025 Artificial Intelligence
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
February 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I could have spent another hour or two talking with Sarah and Santi. Incredibly important insights that are grounded in their work with constituents, and I'm excited to see more cities adopt this type of community-driven #GenAI work.
"Procurement can power change or stand in its way."
From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...
From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...
Collaboration can Enable an Age of AI Innovation
February 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu
February 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
"Procurement can power change or stand in its way."
From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...
From my article about last year's GovAI Coalition panel on #GenAI and #procurement: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/collaboratio...
"Unleashing the full power of change requires freeing federal employees to be more creative, data driven, & productive in their jobs. We need to remember that most public employees took their jobs in order to make a difference." #DOGE @harvardkennedy.bsky.social www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-rese...
What awaits the Department of Government Efficiency? HKS experts on prospects for a radical new initiative
The Trump administration aims to radically improve government efficiency. As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare to launch their initiative, Harvard Kennedy School experts lay out what possibilities...
www.hks.harvard.edu
January 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"Unleashing the full power of change requires freeing federal employees to be more creative, data driven, & productive in their jobs. We need to remember that most public employees took their jobs in order to make a difference." #DOGE @harvardkennedy.bsky.social www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-rese...
I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Ford, from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco, about the principles of innovation + how to apply to our toughest urban challenges; in this case, homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-integrat...
January 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Ford, from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco, about the principles of innovation + how to apply to our toughest urban challenges; in this case, homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-integrat...
I ceded my hosting duties for our first #DataSmartCityPod episode of 2025 and took on the guest role, to reflect on 2024 and discuss my predictions and ideas for this year. I hope you take a listen and let me know your thoughts - maybe even share your "lightening round" answers below!
New year, new episode!
Host @goldsmithongov.bsky.social and producer Betsy Gardner swap roles to discuss all things data, digital governance, AI, and policy-making from 2024. Listen to Pr. Goldsmith's reflections, and a look ahead to 2025, below! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/year-review-...
Host @goldsmithongov.bsky.social and producer Betsy Gardner swap roles to discuss all things data, digital governance, AI, and policy-making from 2024. Listen to Pr. Goldsmith's reflections, and a look ahead to 2025, below! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/year-review-...
January 8, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I ceded my hosting duties for our first #DataSmartCityPod episode of 2025 and took on the guest role, to reflect on 2024 and discuss my predictions and ideas for this year. I hope you take a listen and let me know your thoughts - maybe even share your "lightening round" answers below!