Who we are
The Data Conversation is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting non-profits, social enterprises and community organisations with their data.
We believe that teams who are working towards better outcomes for their clients and communities deserve to have access to the right data, tools, and support to make informed, evidence-based decisions.
We know the right tech and tools are important – but they’re not the whole story. Teams also need the confidence, capability and organisational culture to make the most of their data.
A strong data practice requires conversations across an organisation. That’s why we offer holistic support for all aspects of the data cycle: from planning what to collect, to securely storing and managing data, to interpreting and sharing findings through dashboards and reports.
Our team members bring together a love of data and experience working in for-purpose organisations. Many of us have front-line service delivery experience, including in education, health, and disability support services.
Our approach is collaborative and friendly. We take the time to understand your work, listen to your challenges, and design solutions with you that fit your context and budget.
Our vision for change
A social enterprise is a business that exists to achieve social and environmental change. Below we list the long-term outcomes that The Data Conversation aims to contribute to, and how our work supports these outcomes. We’d love to hear from you if you’re also working towards any of these outcomes or if you have any ideas and suggestions for us – please get in touch at: enquiries@thedataconversation.au
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Purpose-driven organisations use data effectively to achieve their goals
Non-profits, social enterprises and other community organisations should have the right tools, support, data access and sustainable funding to enable data-driven design and delivery.
Data systems for the community sector embed the values, principles and language of those organisations and their communities they serve.
People from all backgrounds have opportunities to access employment pathways into the data sector.
Data systems can unintentionally perpetuate negative bias and exacerbate harm, because the people who create data systems make countless decisions (consciously or unconsciously) that embed their own perspectives, assumptions and knowledge into the technology. We want to contribute to the two outcomes above to help to address this issue. Data systems for community organisations should be designed with an understanding of the organisation, the clients and the community they serve, and with the insights of people with lived experience of delivering and receiving community services. For this reason, it’s important for people with diverse experience to be able to access employment opportunities, training support and mentorship in data.
Communities develop and use their own data to inform and create changes
We believe in the power of place-based and community-based approaches to solving challenges. Data access and sharing is an important part of such approaches. Communities need to have sovereignty, custodianship and stewardship over their own data. Partnerships and collaborations between for-purpose organisations need safe and appropriate ways to share data and support to use data for shared decision making.
Meet our team
Our team has a broad range of professional and life experiences that have led us to appreciate the role of data in supporting service delivery and social justice advocacy.
