Event Description

Centring Racial Equity Throughout the Data Life Cycle

Data integration by government and community-based organizations is undertaken for the public good to support the interconnected needs of families and communities. Though data infrastructure is a powerful tool to support equity-oriented reforms, equity is rarely centred as a core goal for data integration. This raises fundamental concerns, as integrated data increasingly provides the raw materials for evaluation, research and risk modelling. In this session, Dr. Amy Hawn Nelson and Isabel Algrant provide an overview of the newly updated Toolkit for Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration and the companion Workbook, exploring how participants can apply these learnings to centre equity throughout the data life cycle in their day-to-day work.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Amy Hawn Nelson is a Research Faculty Member and the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy, an initiative of the University of Pennsylvania that helps state and local governments collaborate and responsibly use data to improve lives. She supports field building for integrated data systems, which includes working with sites across the US to develop shared, purpose-driven data infrastructure that centres strong data governance. She has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Urban Education from UNC Charlotte; a Masters in School Administration from UNC Charlotte; a Masters in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University; a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies and a BA in Sociology from NC State University, and a Certificate of Law from the University of Pennsylvania.

Isabel Algrant is the Assistant Director of Training and Technical Assistance at Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work supports sustainable data governance, centering community voice, especially for those most marginalized. Before joining AISP, Isabel taught 8th-grade Math and Science at the Dwight-Englewood School. She has served as an intern at the Philadelphia City Council and hosts the Why Are My Students Acting Like Children? podcast. She has a Masters in Social Policy and Data Analysis from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Government and Theatre from Wesleyan University.

About the Series:

The Big IDEAs About Health Data Speaker Series features a variety of experts discussing how data can be used to advance health equity. It aspires to create a space for conversation about whether and how data can be used to advance equity in Canada; specific uses of and guidelines for the use disaggregated data (sex and gender, race and ethnicity, disability, income, housing, language etc.); and advancements in data research practices and methods that embed inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in algorithms, distributed analytics, community involvement and equity assessment tools.

PLEASE NOTE: This presentation is in English. The webinar will be recorded and posted on hdrn.ca.

Event Content

• Practical Tools for Change: Participants will gain hands-on exposure to the Toolkit and Workbook, which provide concrete strategies for embedding racial equity at every stage of data use—from collection and storage to analysis and reporting.
• Community-Centered Approach: The session emphasizes the importance of elevating community voices, especially from marginalized groups, to ensure data integration reflects lived experiences and addresses real-world inequities.
• Policy & Practice Implications: Explore how equity-driven data practices can influence decision-making in public health, education, housing, and other sectors where integrated data plays a critical role.
• Ethics and Accountability: Learn how to balance the power of large-scale data systems with ethical safeguards that protect communities and promote transparency.
• Interactive Learning: Attendees will have opportunities to discuss challenges in their own work, share insights, and collaborate on solutions that center racial equity in data-driven projects.
• Global Relevance: Although rooted in U.S. experiences, the frameworks and lessons shared are applicable internationally, providing guidance for governments, NGOs, and research organizations worldwide.
• Sustaining Impact: Participants will leave with strategies not only for immediate implementation but also for building long-term institutional cultures that prioritize equity in data practices.
• Networking Opportunity: Connect with peers, policy leaders, and researchers who are committed to advancing equity in the use of data systems.