Federal Data Users

I've been saying for a while now that statisticians need a stronger voice-like a "statistics influencer"-to spotlight the incredible work that statistics, data science, and the federal statistical system do for our communities 📊🇺🇸

I brought this up in a meeting a few weeks ago, and someone said, "Why not you?" 😅

Honestly, I'm not sure I'm the right person-or that I have the time-to run a whole new social media account dedicated to stats. But if I did, I'd want it to have the energy of "I F'ing Love Science" in its early days: accessible, passionate, and unapologetically nerdy 🤓. Maybe something like "I F'ing Love Stats" (or a more family-friendly version)? I asked ChatGPT to help me (I suck at naming things) and got...

- SLAY: Stats Love All Y'all
- D.A.M.N.: Data and Math Nerds
- I Love Stats, OK?!
- DataDrip

Of course, I would like to team up with someone in their late teens or early 20s who can help make sure the content lands well and translates across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, to reach more people who have no idea how much stats and the federal statistical system impact their daily lives 📱✨

What do you think? Would this kind of account resonate? Would you follow it, support it, or share it? Any young adults want to partner with someone like me?

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Claire McKay Bowen, PhD
Senior Fellow and Leads the Data Governance and Privacy Practice Area
@ClaireMKBowen | https://www.clairemckaybowen.com/
she / her | Remote in Santa Fe, NM (MST/MDT)
U R B A N I N S T I T U T E
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I love this idea and would follow, support, and share!  

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Xan Wedel
University of Kansas
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You're the best, Xan! :D

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Claire McKay Bowen, PhD
Senior Fellow and Leads the Data Governance and Privacy Practice Area
@ClaireMKBowen | https://www.clairemckaybowen.com/
she / her | Remote in Santa Fe, NM (MST/MDT)
U R B A N I N S T I T U T E
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2025 04:01 PM
From: Xan Wedel
Subject: I F'ing Love Stats Social Media Idea

I love this idea and would follow, support, and share!  

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Xan Wedel
University of Kansas
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Fwiw, the influencer ecosystem has gotten super wacky in recent years. In my day job, I'm surrounded by people who study influencers (and I know way too many of them). I would be happy to talk with anyone dreaming of entering this space. My biggest piece of advice is: be clear about your intended audience and nail that audience rather than dreaming of any version of "the public." Doing influencer work is a game; it involves understanding the algorithmic logics and target audience sentiment. It's also multi-media. At this point, playing the game well requires choosing one video-oriented platform (e.g., TikTok) and then supplementing it with podcasts, press interviews, and occasional text. Nurturing an audience requires being responsive and engaging with their content in semi-real time. Claire - I actually think you'd be quite capable of it - without a youngin - if you wanted to. Want is a different issue. (I say this as someone who knows the game but doesn't want to play it because it brings out the worst in me.) And for better or worse, hiring a youngin isn't a shortcut when it comes to the real work. 

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danah boyd
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Great points and totally agree! Social media has evolved into something I'm not quite sure I like, but it's what the next generation goes to for information.

Thank you for the suggestions and comments! I received strong responses from folks online about the idea, but, to your point, we'll see if people are willing to do the hard work to make it happen (I'm still not sure if I'm the right person to lead). TBD and thank you again!

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Claire McKay Bowen, PhD
Senior Fellow and Leads the Data Governance and Privacy Practice Area
@ClaireMKBowen | https://www.clairemckaybowen.com/
she / her | Remote in Santa Fe, NM (MST/MDT)
U R B A N I N S T I T U T E
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2025 05:49 PM
From: danah boyd
Subject: I F'ing Love Stats Social Media Idea

Fwiw, the influencer ecosystem has gotten super wacky in recent years. In my day job, I'm surrounded by people who study influencers (and I know way too many of them). I would be happy to talk with anyone dreaming of entering this space. My biggest piece of advice is: be clear about your intended audience and nail that audience rather than dreaming of any version of "the public." Doing influencer work is a game; it involves understanding the algorithmic logics and target audience sentiment. It's also multi-media. At this point, playing the game well requires choosing one video-oriented platform (e.g., TikTok) and then supplementing it with podcasts, press interviews, and occasional text. Nurturing an audience requires being responsive and engaging with their content in semi-real time. Claire - I actually think you'd be quite capable of it - without a youngin - if you wanted to. Want is a different issue. (I say this as someone who knows the game but doesn't want to play it because it brings out the worst in me.) And for better or worse, hiring a youngin isn't a shortcut when it comes to the real work. 

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danah boyd
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I agree with dana here....It's a lot of work!  

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Margo Anderson
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, retired
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2025 05:49 PM
From: danah boyd
Subject: I F'ing Love Stats Social Media Idea

Fwiw, the influencer ecosystem has gotten super wacky in recent years. In my day job, I'm surrounded by people who study influencers (and I know way too many of them). I would be happy to talk with anyone dreaming of entering this space. My biggest piece of advice is: be clear about your intended audience and nail that audience rather than dreaming of any version of "the public." Doing influencer work is a game; it involves understanding the algorithmic logics and target audience sentiment. It's also multi-media. At this point, playing the game well requires choosing one video-oriented platform (e.g., TikTok) and then supplementing it with podcasts, press interviews, and occasional text. Nurturing an audience requires being responsive and engaging with their content in semi-real time. Claire - I actually think you'd be quite capable of it - without a youngin - if you wanted to. Want is a different issue. (I say this as someone who knows the game but doesn't want to play it because it brings out the worst in me.) And for better or worse, hiring a youngin isn't a shortcut when it comes to the real work. 

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danah boyd
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As some of you may remember (especially from this thread), I floated a half-baked idea a while back: what if there were a "statistics influencer" account-a fun, family-friendly space to help people appreciate how data and statistics shape our everyday lives.

At the time, I wasn't sure I was the right person (or had the time) to take it on. But thanks to encouragement from many of you, several amazing volunteers (I'm not the main driver!), and a shared love of data…

🥁 Introducing Seize the Data

It's a family-friendly account dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation for data, statistics, and beyond.

We're just getting started and plan to post once or twice a week. If you have ideas for fun, accessible posts about stats and data-or if you'd like to get involved-please reach out!

Thanks again for all the encouragement and enthusiasm. Let's make data fun, relatable, and just the right amount of nerdy.

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Claire McKay Bowen, PhD
Senior Fellow and Leads the Data Governance and Privacy Practice Area
@ClaireMKBowen | https://www.clairemckaybowen.com/
she / her | Remote in Santa Fe, NM (MST/MDT)
U R B A N I N S T I T U T E
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