Data Communication and Collaboration

Anyone with an interest in institutional data can be part of a University of Iowa data community.

Hub-and-Spoke

The university is building a hub-and-spoke framework for data communication, modeled after other successful hub-and-spoke frameworks on campus. Data stewards and experts in the central hub are connected to every organizational unit through org unit "data liaisons," who are in turn connected to one another as a data community (see below). This model will allow us to build more sustainable communication pathways, gain a better understanding of data-related needs across the university, and direct resources more strategically.

Data Communities

At the University of Iowa, data communities facilitate communication and collaboration across the institution. Data community members support each other in data management, reporting, and analytics by facilitating training, showcasing examples and demonstrations, and collaborating with others who have similar needs and interests. This mutual support ensures data users have a multitude of ways to find help with data when they need it.

Institutional Data Users Group (IDUG)

IDUG's purpose is to facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise, promote data literacy and best practices, and provide a forum to advocate for user needs and provide feedback on data tools and services. The IDUG community is open to all faculty and staff across the institution with an interest in institutional data.

Data Providers Group

The Data Providers Group brings together individuals from across the institution who work extensively with institutional data to provide business intelligence, regular reporting, or other data products to data users in their unit(s). Like IDUG, it provides a forum to share knowledge and expertise, but with a focus on institutional infrastructure, data manipulation and transformation, and best practices.

If you would like to join the Data Providers Group, please contact Matt Anson.

Data Liaisons

Each UI organizational unit has a data liaison (or team of liaisons) that connects the org unit to the central Data Hub. Working with the hub and with each other, data liaisons act as advisors, resources, and communicators to help individuals in their org unit understand and use data effectively and appropriately.

Not yet part of a data community, or not finding the answers you need? Use this form to ask any data-related question.

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