The Art and Science of Community Surveys

This interactive workshop, designed for communications, engagement, and data professionals, will explore the essential role of surveys in understanding and addressing community needs. Participants will learn how to design surveys that not only gather actionable insights but also foster trust and promote equitable participation.

Drawing on the proven NineteenEleven Consulting Survey Skeleton framework, this session will walk participants through the six foundational steps of survey creation: identifying decision-making needs, choosing the right data and question types, crafting and refining questions, addressing bias, developing response categories, and structuring surveys for clarity and effectiveness.

With a blend of best practices, practical examples, and lessons learned from real-world successes and challenges, this workshop emphasizes the intersection of science and art in survey design. Small group activities will give participants hands-on experience applying the framework to their unique contexts, leaving them equipped to build better surveys that lead to stronger community engagement and decision-making.

Duration: 4 hours +

Format: Virtual; In-Person

Pre-Requirements: None

Ideal Class Range: 5-15

Instructor Bio: Dr. Kristin N Williams is a social scientist with over 20 years of experience in a myriad of positions, including Associate Professor of Sociology, survey expert, community engagement specialist, tech evangelist, and small business owner. In all of these roles, she has focused on addressing systemic inequities through research, education, collective action, and advocacy. In 2022, she founded The Amalgamation to further this mission in the public procurement space. She loves bench pressing, thrifting, reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and traveling.