Power to the Public: A Discussion about the Promise of Public Interest Technology
Channel: New America
Date: 2021-04-13

Hana Schank and Tara McGuinness spent several years researching and writing their book, Power to the Public: The Promise of Public Interest Technology, which focuses on how best to use data, design, and technology to solve society’s most pressing and difficult problems. During this event, the authors will discuss examples of real change that have been brought by governments and nonprofits using data. They will also highlight how designing policies alongside and with the people they serve -- and focusing on how they are delivered -- are important pillars of how organizations must work to really succeed in the digital age.

The book builds on the authors’ experiences working in the U.S. Digital Service and in the White House. It also explores stories of leaders and governments using these approaches to create profound outcomes by designing with humans and focusing on how policies actually reach people. This strategy helps government make changes that affect everything from reducing suicide to ending homelessness to using data and improving access to public benefits through improved forms. This event, explained by those who spent years working in the field, will take you inside the stories and approaches of organizations that are changing the world.

During this event our speakers will discuss:
+What public interest technology is and how it can help solve pressing problems such as inequality, poverty, and public health crises
+How governments and nonprofits are transforming their work to keep up in the digital age
+Why policies (from stimulus checks to tax credits) are *only as good* as their ability to really reach people
+How data, design, and delivery can help government leaders provide citizens with access to life saving emergency services, and how technology is only one part of that solution.
+What the risks are for teams and organizations that do not incorporate community voices into their work

Follow along as we live tweet the discussion @NewAmericaPIT.

Opening Remarks:

Anne-Marie Slaughter, @SlaughterAM
CEO, New America

Panel:

Tara Dawson McGuinness, @taradmcguinness
Fellow and Senior Adviser, New Practice Lab at New America
Co-author of upcoming book, Power to the Public: The Promise of Public Interest Technology

Hana Schank, @hanaschank
Director of Strategy for Public Interest Technology at New America
Co-author of upcoming book, Power to the Public: The Promise of Public Interest Technology

Clarence Wardell, @cwardell (moderator)
Senior Advisor for Delivery with the U.S. Digital Service, focused on domestic policy
Former Vice President of Solutions at Results for America
Former New America Public Interest Technology fellow and Presidential Innovation Fellow

https://www.newamerica.org/pit/events/power-to-the-public-discussion-about-the-promise-of-public-interest-technology/

====================================

We are dedicated to renewing the promise of America by continuing the quest to realize our nation's highest ideals, honestly confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create.

Subscribe to our channel for new videos on a wide range of policy issues: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=newamericafoundation

Subscribe to The Week Ahead and other newsletters: http://www.newamerica.org/subscribe/#

Visit newamerica.org