About APDU

About APDU

The Association of Public Data Users (APDU) is a national network that links users, producers, and disseminators of government statistical data. APDU members share a vital concern about the collection, dissemination, preservation, and interpretation of public data.

Mission

The Association of Public Data Users (APDU) is a national association where users, producers, and disseminators of public statistical data convene to share knowledge and build relationships.

In particular, APDU members share a vital concern with the responsible and rigorous collection, creation, distribution, preservation, and analysis of federal statistical data.

To pursue this mission, APDU

  • Connects federal, state and local data users with producers and disseminators.
  • Educates members about developments regarding federal, state and local data.
  • Advocates on behalf of members to strengthen and protect federal statistical agencies and programs.
  • Identifies and informs members about a range of data, related concepts, and policies of interest.

APDU members seek to have a voice in discussions about the future of federal data, data policy, and the federal statistical system.

Membership

apdu-membership-pie-chart

APDU features members from across the federal statistical system. The types of members can be divided into five categories: universities and university research centers (25.4% of members), nonprofit associations, research organizations and foundations (23.5%),  private companies (19.6%), federal statistical and research agencies (17.6%), and and state and local governments (15.6%).

History

Created as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1975, APDU began as a collaboration of university librarians using Census Bureau data who were having trouble with the cumbersome technology required to access, clean, and analyze data. Over time, APDU included other federal statistical agencies including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis. APDU published its first newsletter in April 1976 and held its first annual conference in August 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Services

  • APDU Weekly, a newsletter including news, trends, events, publications, and opportunities.
  • Public Data University, comprehensive training on public/open datasets, along with special topics.
  • Annual Conference, our premier networking and education event for public data users.
  • Member Area on APDU.org, with archived training, resources, tools, and publications.
  • Member Network and committees, connecting members to federal agencies, academic institutions, state and local agencies, businesses, consultants, entrepreneurs, and students.

Accomplishments

  • APDU Annual Conference:
    • Key networking event for users and producers of federal statistical data with nearly 200 federal, state, nonprofit, and private sector professionals.
    • Featured presenters include leaders from the Office of Management and Budget, Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Governors Association, Pew Charitable Trusts, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Fivethirtyeight.com, New York Times, and many more.
      o Attendees include eight major statistical agencies, Workforce Data Quality Campaign, Experian, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and more.
  • Public Data University: 45 special topic webinars with attendance surpassing 1200 people
  • Increased visibility of the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics on Capitol Hill in partnership with the Census Project and Friends of BLS.

In support of its Board of Directors, APDU is managed by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC).

Association of Public Data Users
P.O. Box 100155
Arlington, VA 22210
Phone: (703) 522-4980
Fax: (480) 393-5098
E-mail: info@apdu.org