Joel Gurin

Joel Gurin is an expert in open data whose career encompasses science journalism, nonprofit leadership, consumer advocacy, and government service. Gurin leads the Center for Open Data Enterprise, a nonprofit organization he founded to advance the use of open and shared data for public benefit. The organization connects data providers and users through Open Data Roundtables, workshops, research papers, and online resources. Gurin’s work emphasizes democratizing data use and applying data for equity, climate action, and health improvement.

His book, "Open Data Now," published by McGraw-Hill, is recognized as a foundational text in the open data field. Prior to founding the Center for Open Data Enterprise, Gurin conceptualized and led the development of the GovLab Open Data 500 project, the first comprehensive study of private sector use of open government data. He has collaborated with leaders in data, technology, and policy in both the United States and United Kingdom governments, including officials in the White House, 10 Downing Street, and more than 20 U.S. federal agencies. Gurin also serves as a senior consultant on open data to the World Bank.

Gurin served as chair of the White House Task Force on Smart Disclosure, which examined how open government data can improve consumer markets, and as chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. His bureau’s work on bill shock led to an industry agreement to increase transparency in cell-service billing. As chair of the White House Task Force on Smart Disclosure, Gurin promoted the use of open data to help consumers make informed decisions in healthcare, financial services, education, and energy.

After editing the health magazine American Health, Gurin became science editor, then editorial director, and later executive vice president of Consumer Reports. In this role, he led a $200 million, 500-staff organization, revamped the magazine, launched new print publications, and directed the development of ConsumerReports.org, which became the world’s largest paid-subscription information-based website.

Gurin began his career as a science journalist after graduating from Harvard College with a degree in biochemistry. He has received science writing awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Association of Science Writers, with bylines in The Atlantic, Smithsonian, and The New York Times. He has co-authored four books on health and medicine, including "Mind/Body Medicine" with Daniel Goleman, PhD, and "The Dieter’s Dilemma." Gurin has been selected to the FCW Federal 100 and elected as a fellow of the National Academy for Public Administration.