Data Rescue Project Retreat Recap: From Rapid Response to Sustainable Access

At the end of January 2026, members of the DRP Steering Committee met in Philadelphia. Over the course of two short days, we held space to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, note where we’re stretched thin, and articulate what the next phase of DRP needs to look like.

First, the wins. DRP has become a trusted, recognizable hub for public data access and advocacy. We responded quickly when datasets were threatened or even removed and altered; we helped people find meaningful ways to take action; and we built a volunteer community grounded in care, trust, and professionalism. We raised significant funding, developed curation workflows, launched a functioning data portal, and maintained consistent communication, which was no small feat in a long, exhausting year.

But the retreat wasn’t just a celebration. It was also an honest reckoning. Many of the systems we built in crisis mode — spreadsheets, manual coordination, ad-hoc processes — are no longer sustainable. We took the time to be candid about how we could improve DRP scope, processes, and tools to reduce friction rather than add to it.

Out of these conversations came a renewed sense of direction for 2026. The steering committee finalized a mission that centers access to public data for the public good, grounded in recognized data stewardship principles. While rapid response remains part of our identity, DRP is intentionally shifting toward long-term access, sustainability, and advocacy. That means prioritizing bulk access to rescued datasets, building a public toolkit and wiki so others can learn from our work, and formalizing governance so DRP can responsibly grow — or sunset — when the time comes.

Perhaps most importantly, the retreat reaffirmed something we have known to be true: the DRP only works because of our real labor and expertise. Volunteers, partners, funders, and steering committee members have shown up with generosity, patience, and trust. As we head into 2026, we’re committed to honoring that labor through clearer pathways to contribute, better recognition, paid roles where appropriate, and a shared understanding of where we’re going.

Thank you for being part of this community. The next chapter of DRP is about making access sustainable, advocacy visible, and the work survivable together.