Meaning-making takes resources
In order for data to be broadly useful, it must be analyzed, transformed, visualized, or otherwise processed. Community groups with limited time or statistical capacity can often get stuck with useful data but an inability to interpret it for their purposes. Large, government datasets are often overwhelming, poorly curated, or difficult to access or use for localized environmental action. Figuring out how to make data useful and relevant for specific initiatives requires tailored support because thresholds for action can be highly contextual. This takes time and resources.
Solutions
1.
Desarrollar objetivos conjuntamente
Evaluar las necesidades de interpretación de datos de las comunidades y elaborar planes de análisis conjuntamente.
2.
Match analysis with capacity
Provide or connect communities with analysts (e.g., academic partners, data fellows, public interest technologists) who can help translate raw data into actionable formats.
3.
Build shared workflows
Develop repeatable, understandable workflows for analyzing and communicating data that community members can eventually lead or sustain.
4.
Use layered storytelling
Combine data with qualitative information (like lived experience or oral histories) to create outputs that are locally meaningful.
5.
Actionalize your data
Work with your local university's environmental law clinic to better understand your data's role in regulation and enforcement.
Know of another resource or solution?
Resources
The 2016 National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT) report
The 2016 National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT) report includes a framework showing the spectrum of data uses in participatory science.
Action's Participatory Science Toolkit Against Pollution
Action's Participatory Science Toolkit Against Pollution addresses the practical problems that participatory scientists face throughout the different stages of each project. It draws on expertise in participatory science, participatory design, social innovation, socio-economic studies, pollution, open science, social computing, open data and software development to ensure it suits the requirements of participatory science projects.
Code for America
Code for America partners with governments and communities to build digital tools and services that make public systems more effective and equitable.