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SoDa Symposium: Modernizing Economic Statistics

SoDa Symposium: Modernizing Economic Statistics Two Presentations with Q&A Tuesday, March 10, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST (Online) Presentation 1 presented by: Katharine G. Abraham Distinguished University Professor, Department of Economics Director, Joint Program in Survey Methodology  Professor, University of Maryland Title: Modernizing Economic Statistics Abstract: Traditional approaches to measuring economic activity are threatened by serious challenges, among others, declining survey response rates, a growing share of output in hard-to-measure sectors, and changes in the way that work is organized. At the same time, naturally occurring data that could be useful for improving the nation’s economic statistics—for example, retail scanner data, payroll provider records and online job postings records—are increasingly available in electronic form. Distinguished University Professor Katharine Abraham is the co-director of a new Economic Measurement Research Institute (EMRI) launched late last year with funding from the National Science Foundation to address these challenges and opportunities. EMRI’s mission is to bring academic researchers, data providers and statistical agency staff together to identify ways to modernize the nation’s economic statistics and to work towards putting the new methods that are identified into practice. Professor Abraham will talk about the EMRI and the future of the nation’s economic statistics.   Presentation 2 presented by: Didem Tuzemen Vice President of Research Coleridge Title: Data for Impact at Coleridge Abstract: The measurement of economic activity is increasingly challenged by declining survey participation and limited resources, while policymakers require timely, local, and demographic-specific data that national-level aggregates often miss. Although federal statistics remain essential for tracking broad trends, they are frequently delayed and may not capture rapidly changing local conditions, making state-level data an increasingly important complement. Dr. Didem Tuzemen, Vice President of Research at Coleridge, leads partnerships with state governments to help them harness administrative data for timely, evidence-based policymaking. By building state capacity to use administrative data effectively, Coleridge transforms raw information into actionable insights, enabling faster responses to economic shocks, more targeted workforce and education strategies, and stronger, evidence-driven decisions that improve outcomes for workers, businesses, and communities alike. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the unprecedented surge in unemployment insurance claims offered a unique opportunity to monitor economic disruptions in real time. In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Coleridge developed the Unemployment to Reemployment Portal using detailed information from unemployment insurance claims. This tool, designed specifically for the state practitioners’ needs is updated weekly and delivers locally relevant labor market information. By leveraging administrative records, the portal provides insights into critical questions: which local labor markets were hardest hit by layoffs, the broader economic impacts on communities, and the demographic, industry, and occupational profiles of displaced workers to guide targeted interventions. Moderator: Chris Antoun Assistant Professor Joint Program in Survey Methodology, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and College of Information Studies University of Maryland The SoDa Center at UMD SoDa Symposia highlight the diverse challenges and opportunities in the emerging area of Social Data Science.   Combining insights of SoDa researchers and partners from UMD and around the world, these regular virtual events showcase research and expert commentary about advances and open problems in the use of surveys, administrative, and trace data to understand and shape the social world we live in. Ranging from technical challenges of gathering high-quality data, ethical management of social data at scale, or examples of the power of social data science in education, business, government, or civic life, SoDa Symposia provide an opportunity for a broad audience of researchers, students, and practitioners to learn more about the potential of social data science to change the world.