Beyond Transparency: Open Data and the Future of Civic Innovation

The rise of open data in the public sector has sparked innovation, driven efficiency, and fueled economic development. While still emerging, we are seeing evidence of the transformative potential of open data in shaping the future of our civic life, and the opportunity to use open data to reimagine the relationship between residents and government, especially at the local level. As we look ahead, what have we learned so far from open data in practice and how we can apply those lessons to realize a more promising future for America’s cities and communities?
Edited by Brett Goldstein, former Chief Data Officer for the City of Chicago, with Code for America, this book features essays from over twenty of the world’s leading experts in a first-of-its-kind instructive anthology about how open data is changing the face of our public institutions.

Contributors include:

• Michael Flowers, Chief Analytics Officer, New York City
• Beth Blauer, former director of Maryland StateStat
• Jonathan Feldman, CIO, City of Asheville
• Tim O’Reilly, founder & CEO, O’Reilly Media
• Eric Gordon, Director of Engagement Game Lab, Emerson College
• Beth Niblock, CIO, Louisville Metro Government
• Ryan & Mike Alfred, Co-Founders, Brightscope
• Emer Coleman, former director of the London Datastore
• Mark Headd, Chief Data Officer, City of Philadelphia

“As an essential volume for anyone interested in the future of governance, urban policy, design, data-driven policymaking, journalism, or civic engagement, "Beyond Transparency" combines the inspirational glow and political grit of Profiles in Courage with the clarity of an engineer's calm explanation of how something technical actually works. Here are the detailed how-to stories of many members of the first generation of open government pioneers, written in a generous, accessible style; this compilation presents us with a great deal to admire, ample provocation, and wise guidance from a group of remarkable individuals.”
—Susan Crawford, author of Captive Audience

“Just as he did during his time in my administration, Goldstein has brought together industry leaders to discuss issues of relevance in the open data movement and the practical implications of implementing these policies… This book will help continue the work to make open government a reality across the country.”
— Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago

“A must-read for anyone who is passionate about what open data can do to transform city living.”
— Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

Brett Goldstein is the former Chief Data and Information Officer for the City of Chicago. In 2013, he was named the inaugural recipient of the Fellowship in Urban Science at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Before his appointment as Chicago's first Chief Data Officer, he founded the Chicago Police Department Predictive Analytics Group. Previously, he spent seven years in the startup world building online real-time restaurant reservation service OpenTable. Goldstein is currently pursuing his PhD in Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois-Chicago.