NYC Mayor’s Office of the CTO
Bringing tech skills and policy consulting to NYC Departments
Innovation Fellow
Role
Technology
Skills
Highlights
Python
Pandas
Seaborne
Matplotlib
ML Libraries
Policy Writer/researcher
Story Telling
Data Scientist
Presenting to NYC DCLA
Working with policy experts
Collaboratively building equitable policy
Policy Analysis
Data AnalyticsEquity in City Funding
Data Visualization
Overview
I joined the NYC Mayors Office of the Chief Technology Officer as an innovation fellow to make process and policy based recommendations that improved the grant distribution model being used by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. The NYC DCLA is the largest culture and arts funder in the United States.
I worked alongside a team of fellow data scientists and government leaders to develop a report for a NYC department. Our group worked with their team to deconstruct their funding model, search for sources of bias, and ultimately make recommendations for how their funding model, data system, and approach to funding allocation could be improved through analysis of historical data.
The Task
Our work focused on deconstructing the underlying trends and bias that effected the funding process. We placed particular emphasis on using figures and examples from the data to build compelling arguments around process shifts to the funding model.
Bias and Equity
Data Science
Data was key to uncovering the trends and biases nascent to the grant funding process. Through our analysis, we were able to notice differences in the actual funding patterns and the goals of the grant funding team.
Delivering Compelling Evidence
We leveraged machine learning models to isolate criteria in the grant process. The machine learning model also allowed us to see how minute changes in the funding model may have influenced the funding decisions. While using these methods, we were particularly cautious to contextualize use of the ML model and restrict its use more generally.
By making small tweaks to how applications were reviewed we could better meet the DCLA’s funding mission.
Storytelling and recommendations
We delivered a 50 page report to NYC DCLA rooted in a strategic product timeline and partnership. We also presented our findings in a presentation to the CEO of the NYC DCLA.
The department is now using concrete steps laid out in this report to better their process and improve equitable access to funding throughout the five boroughs of NYC.