About

“Most data analysis and programming courses fail to equip public policy professionals with the skills and tools needed to conduct policy analysis in practice…Which is why I first developed ‘An Introduction to Programming for Policy Analysis’: to introduce applied policy analysts to data science tools that are applicable at the coalface of public policy”

Since 2018, an equivalent of five billion Libraries of Congress worth of data has been created, leading the Economist to declare data as the world’s most valuable resource. 

The World Economic Forum and The Economist Magazine.

For public policy professionals this trend matters: both so they can appreciate its implications for the citizens they serve; and as being armed with the knowledge and tools needed to leverage this resource will become increasingly valuable for devising public policies that work. Despite this, there are limited training packages that directly address this need, instead most data analysis and programming courses fail to equip public policy professionals with the skills and tools needed to conduct policy analysis in practice, instead most programming courses:

  • Teach how to use cutting edge techniques, but not explaining their real-world application and interpretation;
  • Use tidy scenarios and well-organized datasets with no resemblance to what policymakers encounter in their work
  • Over-emphasize theory over practice: making learners ill-equipped to apply these tools when being information and time-constrained (as is typical to applied policy analysis).

This is why I first developed ‘An Introduction to Programming for Policy Analysis’: to introduce applied policy analysts to practical data science tools that can be applied at the coalface of public policy analysis. As in order for policy professionals to benefit from the deluge of data, they need tools that can be applied in their day-to-day work; they need to be comfortable answering big questions, using messy datasets and communicating complex analysis to decision makers; and they need training that reflects the dynamic and complex landscape they face in their work: a world where there’s too many questions, not enough time, and never enough data.

So, if this sounds familar and you’d like to learn how to more effectively leverage data in your work, check out our growing range of courses here covering the application of data analysis tools to applied policy analysis.

You can also learn about the consulting services on offer here or reach out to us directly or via Linkedin.