Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · 15d

🥚 Federal data is the forgotten egg in the cake we all rely on.

It shapes so much of our everyday life—yet most people don’t realize it.

We dig into why this invisible infrastructure matters—and what happens if we lose it.

Because without the eggs, there’s no cake. 🎂

#FederalData #PublicGood

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · Sep 10

🚨 Federal data pullbacks are reshaping policymaking.

As public datasets vanish or change, blending public + private data is key—but it raises privacy risks. New @urbaninstitute.bsky.social blog shares a 6-step framework for responsible blending.

www.urban.org/urban-wire/u...

In an Uncertain Federal Data Landscape, Blending Public and Private Data Offers Many Benefits—But Requires Mitigating Risks

Ensuring the long-term resilience and trustworthiness of public data is no longer optional; it’s essential.

www.urban.org

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · Jul 31

I am attending @asa-scipol.bsky.social's panel on #federaldata at #JSM2025. You should, too. 👏Steve and @clairemkbowen.bsky.social. Assessing the Health of the Federal Statistical Agencies, Sunday August 3, 4 PM CT, CC-104C. #statssky #defenddata #defendresearch

www.amstat.org

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · Jul 31

Hey, @sherrirose.bsky.social , we're getting to #JSM2025. Will you re-share the #hpss Starter Pack? Tag us, follow us, and come to our panels. I hope to see some of you in-person. We know these are rough times to travel for science. #defendresearch #defenddata #statssky #AIsky #MLsky

2025 Joint Statistical Meetings - Statistics, Data Science, and AI Enriching Society

The Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) is the largest gathering of statisticians held in North America. Attended by more than 5,000 people, meeting activities include oral presentations, panel sessions,...

ww2.amstat.org

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Data Rescue Project #DataRescue @datarescueproject.org · Jul 23

Join the effort to rescue #USAID data! #RDAP, @icpsr.bsky.social, and
@datafirst.bsky.social are hosting a hackathon next week.

Register at

Rescuing USAID Data

We are excited about the upcoming RDAP Hackathon! This time they are partnering with DataFirst and ICPSR to rescue data that was previously publicly-available on the USAID's knowledge platform. Date:…

www.datarescueproject.org

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · Jul 15

A rough but necessary read. Thank you, Peggy, for all you've done.

hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

Suddenly sacked

Former education stats chief describes her final days under DOGE

hechingerreport.org

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · Jul 11

Loved being at the 2025 ICPSR Biennial Meeting as a council member. Great convos, thoughtful sessions, and a quick break for local ice cream. Grateful for this community and excited for what’s ahead.

#ICPSR #DataForGood

Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Ben Casselman @bencasselman.bsky.social · Jul 3

I'm once again getting lots of questions about whether we should trust the economic data coming out of this administration. My answer remains the same: Yes, but budget cuts (and other factors) are threatening to erode reliability over the longer term. #NumbersDay
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/b...

Can We Trust a Jobs Report From the Trump Administration? Yes, With Caveats.

www.nytimes.com

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · Jun 30

We are also super cool...I know...I might be using the word wrong, but you really should check us out and join!

APDU @apduorg.bsky.social · Jun 27

Did you know
you can join APDU
for FREE
this year?

Details in 🧵

a woman says " would you like to join us " with her eyes closed

ALT: a woman says " would you like to join us " with her eyes closed

media.tenor.com

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · Jun 30

We provide a voice for Public Data! It's a great cause to support!

APDU @apduorg.bsky.social · Jun 18

If you or your organization would be interested in supporting APDU's ongoing work to protect public data, please consider becoming a sponsor:
apdu.org/wp-content/u...

Association of Public Data Users 2025 Sponsorship
Opportunities
The Association of Public Data Users (APDU) is a national network that connects users, producers, and disseminators of government statistical data. APDU members share a vital concern about the collection, dissemination, preservation, and interpretation of public data.
Your sponsorship is vital to supporting public data.

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Posit @posit.co · Jun 20

📣 Early bird pricing for posit::conf(2025) ends TODAY!

Save $150 on your registration before prices increase.

📅 September 16-18 | Atlanta
Register now ➡ posit.co/conference/

#positconf2025 #DataScience #Conference #RStats #Python

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Janessa Goldbeck @janessagoldbeck.bsky.social · Jun 16

🚨 There’s a lot of horrific news out of Washington right now—but you might have missed this: Senate Republicans just introduced a plan to sell off 120 million acres of our public lands.

Let me break down what’s in the bill and why it’s a full-scale land grab. 🧵

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Amstat-American Statistical Association @amstatnews.bsky.social · Jun 13

Don't miss the 2025 ASA Biopharm Workshop Sept 24–26 in Rockville, MD—connect with 1,000+ stats pros from FDA, industry, & academia. Dive into cutting-edge sessions, short courses, & networking. Registration open!

2025 ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop

The ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop is sponsored by the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section in cooperation with the FDA Statistical Association.

ww2.amstat.org

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · Jun 11

The board of the Fulbright program appears to have entirely resigned, accusing the State Department of illegally canceling scholarships "based mainly on research topics": www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...

Fulbright Board Quits, Accusing Trump Administration of Political Interference

The board of the prestigious program told the State Department it had no right to cancel scholarships for nearly 200 American professors and researchers.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Data Rescue Project #DataRescue @datarescueproject.org · Jun 11

We just added a new library guide to our resources page! This one from @unclibrary.bsky.social ! guides.lib.unc.edu/federal-info...
Do you have a library guide? Let us know if so! www.datarescueproject.org/resources/#l...

LibGuides: Finding Alternative Sources for Federal Information & Data: Home

guides.lib.unc.edu

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

NPR @npr.org · Jun 11

A study from JAMA Pediatrics compares states that have permissive gun laws with others that have strict regulations. The states with tougher rules did not see a rise in gun deaths among children and teens.

Guns are the leading cause of death of kids and teens, and state laws matter

A study from JAMA Pediatrics compares states that have permissive gun laws with others that have strict regulations. The states with tougher rules did not see a rise in gun deaths among children and teens.

n.pr

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

APDU @apduorg.bsky.social · Jun 9

Do you care about public data?

Join us on July 22 to connect with colleagues, learn the latest, and strategize for the future.

(Link to more details and registration in comments.)

#data #datascience #statistics #econsky #demography #socialscience

APDU UnConference 2025
Connect. Learn. Strategize.

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · May 9

JOIN US! We have cookies*!

*Ok, if you are near me in NM, I promise to give you cookies. :D

APDU @apduorg.bsky.social · May 9

Are you on our mailing list yet?
You should be!

Why sign up for another newsletter?
You'll get a monthly newsletter and occasional announcements about events and action alerts.
apdu.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

a green mailbox has the number 43 written on it

ALT: a green mailbox has the number 43 written on it

media.tenor.com

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · May 7

I haven’t shared many recent knits—I've been on a quick-project streak lately! Here’s a sweet little squash hat and matching mittens I made for a colleague who just welcomed his first child 🧶🧡

Pattern: Berry Baby Hat by Michele Savvier & Baby Mitts by Spud & Chloe
Yarn: Verano by Malabrigo

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · May 7

Extended engagement processes & balkanized decisionmaking have led to the US suffering from declining infrastructure investment.

In new work at @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I argue that we also need to consider a 3rd issue: The informal role of local elected officials in influencing outcomes.

To Increase Investments in Transportation, Policymakers Must Account for Local Leaders’ Unofficial—but Powerful—Influence

Setting maximum timelines for project deliberation and being able to quickly assess the costs and benefits of a proposed change will help speed infrastructure investments and ultimately ensure more pe...

www.urban.org

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Claire McKay Bowen @clairemkbowen.bsky.social · May 2

Proud of my colleagues for speaking up on the impacts of federal grants and contracts being terminated. I had one terminated as well with no explanation. It was to help researchers, state analysts, and policymakers access labor data more easily.

Sarah Patterson @spattersearch.bsky.social · May 2

theconversation.com/three-scient...

Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

Stories from the front line of the US government’s attack on federal science funding. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · May 2

@bradytwest.bsky.social does a great job explaining in an accessible way what's happening to our PIs.

Brady West @bradytwest.bsky.social · May 1

Sunghee Lee and I were recently interviewed by a global podcast (The Conversation Weekly) about the state of federally-funded research in the United States and what it is like to have a hard-earned grant arbitrarily terminated by the current administration:

theconversation.com/three-scient...

Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

Stories from the front line of the US government’s attack on federal science funding. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Amstat-American Statistical Association @amstatnews.bsky.social · Apr 1

Claire Bowen, who will deliver the first Dionne Price Public Lecture, kicks off Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month with “Practical Significance” hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein. Listen as they dive into the meaning of "statistics awareness" and more! magazine.amstat.org/podcast-2/

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

Erica Groshen @ericagroshen.bsky.social · Mar 19

R.I.P. #DUAC & #BLSTAC. The Labor Sec. just terminated BLS’s 2 remaining advisory committees. Members got notice today (3/19/25). See attached text.
#FESAC, which served #BLS, BEA & Census jointly, was axed on 3/4/25.
@stevepierson123.bsky.social @aaronsojourner.org

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Reposted by Claire McKay Bowen

APDU @apduorg.bsky.social · Mar 13

Read our full statement on education research and data here: apdu.org?p=5812775

APDU Statement on Education Research and Data – Association of Public Data Users

apdu.org

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