NORC Welcomes Claire McKay Bowen as Senior Fellow in the Statistics & Data Science Department
CHICAGO, November 10, 2026 — NORC at the University of Chicago is pleased to announce that Claire McKay Bowen is joining NORC as a senior fellow in the Statistics & Data Science department.
Bowen is a nationally recognized expert in data privacy, data governance, and data modernization. Her work focuses on developing technical and policy solutions that responsibly expand access to confidential data, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, and help ensure people are represented responsibly in data.
At NORC, she will provide leadership to projects and clients on statistical methods for data privacy and confidentiality, data governance, data modernization, and the federal statistical system.
“I am excited to join NORC, an organization known for its methodological rigor and real-world impact,” Bowen said. “I look forward to continuing my work on data privacy and confidentiality, data governance, data modernization, and supporting the federal statistical system to help ensure responsible representation in data that serve our communities and nation.”
“I look forward to continuing my work on data privacy and confidentiality, data governance, data modernization, and supporting the federal statistical system to help ensure responsible representation in data that serve our communities and nation.”
Bowen joins NORC from the Urban Institute, where she was a senior fellow. In 2024, Bowen was named a fellow by the American Statistical Association for her contributions to statistical data privacy, professional leadership, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of statisticians and data scientists. She also works as an adjunct professor at Stonehill College and a research assistant professor at the University of New Mexico.
“Claire brings an exceptional combination of technical excellence, strategic vision, and commitment to the public good,” said Susan Paddock, NORC executive vice president and chief scientist. “Her expertise will strengthen NORC’s ability to help clients navigate complex data challenges and transform data into trusted evidence that informs decision-making and our understanding of society.”
“Claire’s expertise will strengthen NORC’s ability to help clients navigate complex data challenges and transform data into trusted evidence that informs decision-making and our understanding of society.”
Bowen holds a PhD and MS in Statistics from the University of Notre Dame and an Honors BS in Mathematics and Physics from Idaho State University. After completing her PhD, she worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she investigated cosmic ray effects on supercomputers.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society.
Contact: For more information, please email press@norc.org or call (877) 832-0392.
