Turning Data Into Action: How Our Research Can Help Officials Thrive Online

This blog post introduces a new YouTube video! where we break down the core findings from three of our own recent academic papers, which looked at topics related to local political officials’ social media activities and the spread of low-integrity content through social networks. We talk to you about the data we collect and the results we found, but we also talk about what these findings mean for real-world decision-making.

6/4/20252 min read

Governments, especially at the state and local levels, are under pressure like never before. From budget constraints to climate resilience and public safety, elected officials must balance urgent needs with long-term planning — all while maintaining transparency and trust.

At Public Square Analytics, we believe the key to navigating this complexity is clear: smart, data-informed decision-making and public messaging. That’s why we’ve created a short video introducing some of our latest research related to social media use by government, specifically designed to help public officials make sense of academic writings on political science, media, and technology— and translate them into practice.

🎥 Watch the video now: Check out some of our research!

Why This Video Matters

In just a few minutes, the video breaks down the core findings from three of our own recent academic papers, which looked at topics related to local political officials’ social media activities and the spread of low-integrity content through social networks. We talk to you about the data we collect and the results we found, but we also talk about what these findings mean for real-world decision-making.

A Few Things You’ll Learn in the Video

While we encourage you to watch it yourself, here’s a sneak peek of what’s covered:

How are US state legislators connected with one another across social networks and how do those connections impact policymaking?
How are local political representatives engaging with low-credibility content?
What are the broader risks of AI-generated fake news?

This video gives a taste of the insights we provide through our research-based tools — practical, local, and tailored to your needs.

Why This Research Digest Is Different

You’ve probably seen research before. Lots of it. What makes ours different is its purpose: it’s designed to help you act.

We cut through the academic noise to bring you:

Plainspoken takeaways
Community-first framing
Tools you can actually use

Because we know what keeps you up at night isn’t abstract — it’s potholes, zoning fights, workforce shortages, and rising public expectations. Our job is to help you face those challenges with clarity and confidence.

From Data to Impact: How We Help

We don't just study local government. We work with it.

Our consulting approach combines rigorous analysis with hands-on experience. Whether you're crafting a new budget, tackling a policy challenge, or trying to understand your community's shifting demographics, we offer support that is:

Customized – No generic playbooks. Every community is unique.
Collaborative – We work with you, your staff and stakeholders, not around them.
Outcome-oriented – We focus on real improvements, not reports that sit on shelves.

Whether you’re a city council member, mayor, county commissioner, or staff member, these insights can help you lead more effectively.

Let’s Talk

If the video sparks questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Reach out for a free consultation!