Higher education institutions generate vast amounts of data every day, yet fragmented systems and inconsistent approaches to data sharing can make it difficult to connect information, turn data into action, and build new solutions for students.
On Thursday, September 17 (1:00–2:00 PM EDT), DataKind along with TechChange will host the virtual kickoff of the Global Unified Initiative for Data in Education (GUIDE), a collaborative effort to explore what a shared, open data foundation could unlock for higher education.
GUIDE brings together higher education leaders, practitioners, data and technical professionals, technology providers, researchers, and others to help shape a more connected, usable approach to data interoperability across postsecondary education.
Why Data Interoperability Matters Now
When data remains fragmented across systems, institutions spend time and resources connecting information that should be easier to use together. Advisors may struggle to access the information they need to support students. Institutional researchers build workarounds to connect data across systems. And new technologies, including AI tools, inherit many of the same disconnected foundations.
A more connected, shared data foundation could help reduce duplicated infrastructure work, improve interoperability across systems and institutions, support more connected student success data, and create stronger foundations for responsible AI and innovation.
GUIDE is exploring what that foundation could look like — and what it could make possible.
Building With the Community
GUIDE is grounded in the idea that shared infrastructure should be shaped with the institutions and communities who will use it.
That means bringing together different perspectives and experiences to explore common challenges, test ideas, and help shape an approach that can work across different institutional contexts.
GUIDE isn't about asking institutions to replace the systems or tools they already use. The opportunity is to explore shared foundations that allow different technologies and institutional systems to work together more effectively.
What to Expect at the GUIDE Kickoff
The GUIDE virtual kickoff will bring together leaders from higher education, philanthropy, technology, and data to explore the opportunities and challenges around building a more connected foundation for higher education data.
Hosted by DataKind, featured speakers include:
- John Harnisher (Principal Learning Scientist, Efficacy Learning Lab, Duolingo; formerly Head of Education Research, DataKind)
- Sonia Jindal (Senior Program Officer, Digital Infrastructure, Gates Foundation)
- Erik Arnold (Vice President, Sector Initiatives, DARO)
- Tyler Walsh (Director, Center for Higher Education Innovation, University of Central Florida)
Join the Conversation
The September 17th virtual kickoff will introduce the vision of GUIDE, explore what a shared data foundation could unlock for student success, innovation, and responsible AI, and share opportunities to engage and contribute as the community takes shape.
Whether you work in higher education, student success, data and technology, research, policy, or another area connected to the future of education data, there is a role for you in the GUIDE conversation.
- Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM–2:00 PM EDT
- Platform: Zoom
- Registration Link: https://luma.com/lz2hogzc
For more on the vision behind GUIDE and the opportunity for open data infrastructure in higher education, read DataKind's recent post, "Open-Sourcing Trust: What It Takes to Build Public Infrastructure for AI-Ready Higher Education."