Large data sets are increasingly critical tools for academic researchers to help improve our understanding of issues across economics, finance, public policy, and other social sciences. Academics have traditionally utilized data controlled by government agencies, nongovernmental organizations or academic institutions, but an increasingly large share of potentially useful data is held by the private sector. While a number of companies have been sharing data with academic researchers for many years, these types of data sharing agreements are a new concept for other firms.

This conference brought together academic researchers and private sector leaders with a range of experience in data sharing. They addressed the benefits, challenges and opportunities of these agreements, and highlighted examples of past and current partnerships. Following the formal agenda, experts from UChicago and Northwestern hosted an in-depth tutorial for academic researchers regarding best practices in understanding and drafting legal data agreements.

You can view photos from the event here.

Agenda

Friday, April 6, 2018

Breakfast and Registration

Opening Panel: The Opportunities and Challenges of Data Sharing

Break

Case Studies of Successful Partnerships

“Studying Wage Stickiness During the Great Recession Using ADP Data”

Erik Hurst, V. Duane Rath Professor of Economics, John E. Jeuck Faculty Fellow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business

“Experimenting with Networked Products”

Dean Eckles, KDD Career Development Professor in Communications and Technology, MIT Sloan School of Management

“What Determines Financial Distress? Evidence from Geographic Variation”

Neale Mahoney, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Faculty Research Fellow, NBER

“Selective Attention in Consumer Finance”

Paolina Medina, Assistant Professor of Finance, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University

“The Effect of Debt on Default and Consumption: Evidence from Housing Policy in the Great Recession”

Peter Ganong, Assistant Professor, Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

Pascal Noel, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Lunch

Closing Panel: The Opportunities and Challenges of Data Sharing

Conference adjourns

Optional session for academic participants: Data Sharing and Legal Stakeholders