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Innovation Pods in Higher Education: Organizational Transformation of Data Experts on Campus. Contesting institutional power imbalances and centering investments in equity using data analytics
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2025
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dissertation
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- Embargoed until 2035-01-01
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This dissertation collects data in the field and evaluates the literature and theories supporting the development of innovation pods of data experts in higher education. It is within these innovation pods (i.e. collaborative, cross-functional teams which exist to build data culture at a single Higher Education Institution (HEI)) where answers can be found regarding leadership’s ability to use data for data-informed decisions. These decisions backed by data intend to produce desired results for the HEIs, including better student outcomes, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency. Access to data, and the redistribution of who owns, controls, and analyzes the data, can rebalance the power structure of the given institution. Using a mixed methods convergent design methodology, four theoretical approaches are examined – power/knowledge theory, financial sustainability theory, prescriptive analytics/Big Data theory, and iterative product innovation theory (lean startup). This research study identifies from scratch a framework for how an institution of higher education can set up an optimal environment for data analytics. Within that Framework for Data Analytics in Higher Education (FFDAHE) is an overarching theme of data literacy (i.e. the ability to understand data). and six pillar sub-themes of: (1) data experts and data culture, (2) transparency to data, (3) real-time data-informed decisions, (4) collaboration and innovation pods, (5) data outcomes, and (6) six sigma lean continuous improvement (MVP). Building off concepts from Eric Ries (2011), Six Sigma is a series of techniques used in business to minimize defects and build products that the customer will want to buy. The uniqueness of this research study is that it pulls six sigma concepts from the corporate world into the higher education landscape, as it integrates innovation pods and agile methods into higher education analytics.