Crossroads of Ideas: Trusting the Data

We often hear that we should "follow the data." But what does that really mean?

From healthcare and artificial intelligence to climate research and public policy, data has become one of society's most valuable resources. Yet data alone doesn't tell the whole story. Statistics help us understand uncertainty, identify meaningful trends, and make informed decisions—even when the answers aren't simple.

Join Dr. Susan Monarez, former CDC director, in conversation with UW–Madison statistician Dr. Claudia Solís-Lemus for an engaging discussion about the promises and pitfalls of our increasingly data-driven world. Together, they'll explore how scientists transform information into insight, why uncertainty is a fundamental part of research, and what it takes to communicate evidence in ways that build understanding and trust.