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The National Academies’ Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) is seeking nominations for members of an ad hoc consensus study panel to review and
evaluate the quality of the 2020 Census. The panel is to prepare a report that includes conclusions about the quality of the data collected in the 2020 Census and makes recommendations for further research by the Census Bureau to evaluate the quality of the
2020 data and to begin planning the 2030 Census.
As is well known, the 2020 U.S. Census was conducted amidst an array of daunting challenges, most notably a forced delay in field operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is intended as a thorough operational and procedural review of the 2020 Census,
to both assess the trustworthiness of the 2020 Census data products and to provide solid ground for the testing and experimentation that will lead to the 2030 Census. Accordingly, the study will review Census Bureau process measures and data quality indicators,
contrasting the data with alternative estimates (post-enumeration survey, demographic analysis, administrative records) and comparing with the 2010 Census and other historical census benchmarks.
In constituting the panel, CNSTAT seeks a full range of perspectives. The panel should include investigators who are steeped in the workings of the decennial census as well as those with fresh viewpoints but little previous experience with the census. Specific
areas of expertise sought for the study include but are not limited to:
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Survey and census methodology, including management of large-scale survey field operations;
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Statistical and data science experience in the federal statistical system and in state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies;
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Geography and population demography, including address list building and maintenance, generation of legal/political/service district boundaries, and assessment of special populations; and
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Systems engineering, operations research and evaluation, and methods for ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
The study is sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau. It is anticipated that the panel’s work will build from but also at least partially dovetail with other assessments, including the Census Bureau’s own program of experiments and evaluations and the American
Statistical Association’s task force on census quality indicators. The panel is to issue an interim report with initial findings and conclusions within 9 months and a final report with recommendations concerning the 2020 Census and planning for the 2030 Census
within 24 months.
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The National Academies are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in order to strengthen the quality of
our work. Diverse perspectives contribute to finding innovative approaches and solutions to challenging issues. We encourage the nomination of volunteers who reflect the populations we serve and also welcome in particular nominations of candidates from underrepresented
racial and ethnic groups, women, and early career professionals.
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Nominations will receive maximum consideration if submitted by Friday, May 14, 2021.
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Please feel free to share this solicitation with your colleagues and networks. If you have questions, please feel free to contact
Daniel Cork.
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The Committee on National Statistics was established in 1972 at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine to improve the statistical methods and information on which public policy decisions are based. The committee carries out studies, workshops, and other activities to foster better measures and fuller understanding of the economy, the environment, public
health, crime, education, immigration, poverty, welfare, and other public policy issues. It also evaluates ongoing statistical programs and tracks the statistical policy and coordinating activities of the federal government, serving a unique role at the intersection
of statistics and public policy. The committee’s work is supported by a consortium of federal agencies through a National Science Foundation grant, a National Agricultural Statistics Service cooperative agreement, and several individual contracts.
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