How Do You Keep Equity Real in Long-Term Data Work?

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Hey everyone,

I’m working on a long-term data project around community health and trying to make sure equity isn’t just a buzzword—but actually shows up in how we collect, analyze, and share the data.

I’ve learned a lot from We All Count (thank you!), and even started applying some ideas in a Tableau dashboard after a great tableau tutorial I found. But I still struggle with the “in-between” parts—like how to center community voices during analysis or keep power balanced in team decisions over time.

For those of you who’ve done extended projects:
What’s one thing that really helped you keep equity alive from start to finish?

A tool, a habit, a mindset—anything would help.

Thank you.

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  • A tool: data walks (see, for example, https://www.urban.org/research/publication/data-walks-innovative-way-share-data-communities)
  • A habit: continuously saying–and showing–that their perspectives are valued and have been used
  • A mindset: “No research on us without us"
  • Keeping power balanced in team decisions over time: In the end, this is a tough one because usually the PI (or similar) has the final say because they received the research funding. I have tried to be transparent about what decisions they get to make and which I have to make to stay within the scope of the funding proposal and research purpose. As a result, though, I have not been able to dispel the notion that I’m “in charge”

Good luck!

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Hey there @Darcieeves and @deliasmcallister this is SUCH a good question. Actually, now that I see this convo, I wonder if we should devote one of our hours at Talking Data Equity to this very thing. For me, of course, there are a lot of technical things - but in terms of a tool that keeps me emotionally inspired and willing to keep doing the equity work - I often tend to keep a photo or document of a person or community who stands to be harmed if we decide equity isn’t worth the effort. This sometimes works to keep me going on long, hard days. I’d love to hear from others.