Meet a TReNDS Expert: Shaida Badiee

Written by TReNDS Staff

In the Meet TReNDS series, we introduce you to TReNDS' experts, staff, and friends–leading individuals and organizations in the broader data for development community.

Meet...

TReNDS co-chair Shaida Badiee, Managing Director of Open Data Watch

About Shaida

Shaida is the Managing Director for Open Data Watch. She brings several decades of experience in managing global development statistics as the long-time Director of the World Bank’s Development Data Group. During her tenure, flagship global statistical products were launched such as the World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance, and the Atlas of Global Development. In 2010, she led the World Bank’s Open Data Initiative, a ground-breaking program to provide full and free access to the World Bank’s extensive statistical databases.

Q&A

TReNDS Staff: In your career, what area of data for development have you primarily focused on?
Shaida Badiee: Macro and social statistics, capacity building, funding, advocacy

What emerging area of data for development are you most eager to tackle in your own work?
Gender data, open data, and financial data

What emerging area of data for development are you most eager to see addressed by the community at large?
Gender/sex-disaggregated data

What is the most interesting use of data you’ve seen?
I like studies "about data" as much as "from data". On the former, see Open Data Watch’s Open Data Inventory and “Bridging the Gap: Mapping Gender Data Availability in Africa.”

What are you most eager to engage in with TReNDS?
Help with strategic areas such as data sharing, financing, governance

Read more about Shaida’s work here.