In many ways, collecting data is just the beginning of a collaborative heat monitoring project.
If you are collecting data on your own, you may need to take additional steps to clean and validate the data before it can be shared and interpreted. If you are working with researchers or consultants who may be managing data for you, it will be important to have ongoing dialogues with them about what the data means, how it can and should be used, and its limitations.
The CCHM can help organizations design projects that are the right fit with their capacity and interest in working with data. Contact us for more information.
Some considerations when designing a workshop or other public presentation
Communicating the findings of a heat study effectively requires more than an understanding of the science behind it, but a deep understanding of the people and places that may relate to or be affected by your findings. Some questions to get you started:
Audience: Who needs to know more about this data? To whom are you accountable to share this data? What does your audience already know? What might they want to learn? Remember that there is no such thing as the “general public” and you may need to tailor different presentations to different audiences.
Goals: Why are you sharing the data? Do you expect your audience to participate in meaning-making of the data in some way? What do you hope your audience takes away from this data?
Platform: How will you share the data and make it available? How will your audience access it and use it?
Message: Data cannot and does not speak for itself. How you present the data will affect what your audience learns from it. When using charts and graphs, make sure your chart accurately represents your data visually.
Sharing your data online
Many past UHI campaign cities have created semi-permanent websites to host their data and information, like these from Chicago, IL and Harris County (Houston), TX that include a description of the project, links to their heat mapping report as well as public presentations. Hennepin County, MN’s page also includes short video explainers.
Some UHI campaign cities have created ArcGIS StoryMaps that describe the campaign and its outcomes. Examples include Montgomery County, MD, Boston, MA, and Charlotte, NC.
UHI heat monitoring data has been used to advocate for direct heat resilience interventions, including shaded bus stops in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a cool pavement project in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Need help finding an expert to get the most out of your data?
We can help make connections with researchers, Weather Forecast Offices, or other experts.
Heat science is better together.
The Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring is working towards increasing our capacity to provide consultations and support for community-based heat monitoring campaigns.
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