Data walks are one of my favorite tools at Rise. We should all be using them -- here's why, and how.

So, what's a data walk?

A data walk is an interactive way for community stakeholders to engage in reflection and dialogue about data involving their community.

It is basically an event where you share data from a project and give people an opportunity to reflect and make meaning of the data together.

Data walks support learning with communities

Too often, data collected from communities is never shared with those communities. This is a problem - both ethically and scientifically.

• Ethically, a community that contributes to knowledge about a topic should certainly have access to the findings. And this access should be easy (i.e. not trapped behind a paywall).

• Plus, it is just bad science! Engaging those closest to an issue in reflection and discussion can give you, the researcher or evaluator, a more robust understanding of what the data can - or can't - show you.

• Data walks are interesting and fun. I've routinely had my mind blown during data walks - all while having the privilege of meeting new people and sharing reflections about one of my favorite topics (data).

Some tips for hosting data walks

1. Prioritize certain data points

Data walks are not data dumps; they carefully prioritize certain statistics or findings that are most relevant or important.

Most of the data walks we host at Rise have a max of 5-10 data points. Think a single statistic supported by a quote. That's one data station in a 5 station data walk.

2. Invite the right audience

Who has experience with or insight about the topic? Clients of a program, or case workers, or program managers?

Data walks work well when there are a mix of attendees. And invitations should be appropriate to the audience - which means doing digging about the best places/people/methods of outreach.

3. Think 'hosting' not 'presenting'

Data walks should be engaging events where attendees feel comfortable and supported in reflecting on the data and participating in dialogue.

Provide dinner and childcare, or compensation if the event is virtual. Use formats that position all attendees as experts on the topic (mini focus groups vs. a presentation, which positions the researcher as an expert).

Data walks are amazing - I promise. Want to learn more? Drop me a line at robin@riseresearch.org. I love to talk data walks!