CSDE Research Scientist Jessica Godwin receives Special Sworn Status to Support Research Using Federal Microdata in the NWFSRDC

Posted: 7/24/2025 ()

The University of Washington is home to the Northwest Federal Statistical Research Data Center (NWFSRDC), a secure space used to access federal microdata run by the Census Bureau in collaboration with CSDE. Researchers are able to submit projects for approval that make use of federal data and carry out their analysis within the RDC. One significant hurdle to carrying out data analysis in an FSRDC is the several month and paperwork-intensive process of researchers on the team receiving Special Sworn Status (SSS) from the Census Bureau which enables entrance to the RDC. 

 

CSDE Research Scientist Jessica Godwin, PhD, recently received SSS to work on a project led by Beth Fussell (Brown University) estimating migration flows between Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. following the devastating Hurricane María in 2017. Godwin is providing statistical support for estimating these migration flows using decennial census and American Community Survey data linked to the Census’s master address file.

 

Both Godwin and CSDE Research Scientist and Director of the NWFSRDC, Sofia Ayala, PhD, have SSS and are available to aid CSDE Affiliate and Trainee research with restricted federal data. To arrange a consultation appointment with Jessica Godwin to discuss potential NWFSRDC research or any of CSDE’s scientific support staff, please use the CSDE Science Core Consultation Request form.