Chief Research & Data Officers Meeting

SHEEO is hosting an in-person meeting for Chief Research and Data Officers on Jan. 27-28, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina. Designed specifically for leaders of SHEEO agency research and data offices, this invitation-only gathering will strengthen connections among peers, share effective strategies for improving state data collection and use, and highlight ways to translate data into stronger policy, practice, and impact.

Sessions will include both small- and large-group discussions focused on current priorities, demands, and strategies in agency research and data work; findings from the most recent Strong Foundations survey; opportunities to better integrate information about rural learners and institutions in state data systems; and the changing federal data landscape, including negotiated rulemaking outcomes and their implications for states. We’ll also explore different approaches to measuring value and return on investment, along with other topics of particular interest to CRDOs and their teams.