Expanding Access, Protecting Trust: Westat to Co-Host 2026 APPAM Policy on the Rocks

The Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) Policy on the Rocks event, Expanding Access, Protecting Trust: Modern Approaches to Sensitive Policy Data, will be hosted at Westat’s headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, on Tuesday, July 14, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The event is free for APPAM members and open to the public; registration is required and is free for APPAM members ($10 for non-members).

Sponsored by the American Evaluation Association (AEA), the event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and data stewards to discuss approaches to expanding access to sensitive policy data while maintaining public trust.

Panel on Responsible Use of Sensitive Data

An expert panel will explore practical and responsible approaches to using sensitive data in policy research. Panelists will discuss how methods such as synthetic data, small cell suppression, and record linkage can increase access to valuable information while protecting individuals and preserving confidence in the research process.

Topics will include

• How artificially generated datasets can support policy analysis while protecting individual privacy
• The role of disclosure control techniques in reporting on small populations and small cell counts, and their implications for privacy and data quality
• How privacy-protecting methods can generate deeper insights into program outcomes and population-level impacts

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how modern data-access strategies can improve the usability of sensitive data and strengthen evidence-based policymaking while maintaining public trust.