Resources
Our Work
Our work on the science and practice of questions — the invisible infrastructure that determines what societies study, know, govern, and imagine.
Showing all 19 publications.
2026
Format: blogQ-Lab: A New Initiative to Advance the Science of Questions
Read our announcement blog outlining the rationale and ideas behind the launch of Q-Lab: the need for a new initiative to advance the science of questions. The capacity to ask well is often assumed, yet what do we actually know about questions?
2026
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Who Decides the Question Decides the Future
Makes the case for innovating and institutionalizing how we define questions in the age of artificial intelligence.
2026
Format: papers(opens external site in a new tab)The Science of Questions
An insert in Siegel Family Endowment’s white paper explaining the need for a science of questions and its six-step methodology.
2026
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Accelerating Inquiry-Driven Philanthropy: Key Takeaways from the ‘Any Questions?’ Salon
Reflection on the main takeaways from the “Any Questions?” salon—an event bringing together representatives from philanthropy in New York City
2026
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Open Data and Better Questions: Engaging New Yorkers to Develop Questions That Matter in the Age of AI
The main takeaways from a Questions Lab co-hosted with the Brooklyn Public Library and the Alliance for Public Interest Technology at New York University on how open data can better reflect and respond to the needs of New Yorkers.
2026
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)From Priority Questions to Policy Action: Recommendations to Advance Women’s Health Innovation in Europe
Outlines twelve takeaways for EU stakeholders and policymakers to advance a research agenda for women’s health innovation.
2025
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Crowdsourcing the Future of Women’s Health Innovation: Introducing the top 10 Questions and Priorities
Outlines 10 priority questions to guide women’s health research and innovation, stemming from the 100 Questions initiative.
2025
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Generative AI and the New Tabula Rasa: Why Question Literacy Matters
How generative AI eradicates the once-intimidating blank page – and risks eroding our ability to ask good questions.
2025
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)The Importance of Co-Designing Questions: 10 Lessons from Inquiry-Driven Grantmaking
A questions-led grantmaking approach fostered curiosity, deeper learning, and adaptive partnerships at the Siegel Family Endowment.
2025
Format: case study(opens external site in a new tab)Siegel Family Endowment’s Inquiry-Driven Grantmaking
Explains how the Siegel Family Endowment applies their questions-led grant making approach and several lessons from the process
2025
Format: papers(opens external site in a new tab)Inquiry as Infrastructure: Defining Good Questions in the Age of Data and AI
Argues that many data-driven policymaking and AI failures stem from poorly designed questions, and that question literacy should become a core competency.
2025
Format: papers(opens external site in a new tab)Beyond Answers Presented by AI: Unlocking Innovation and Problem Solving Through a New Science of Questions
Takeaways from roundtables with the international questions committee – the roles questions play in society, current challenges, and the need for a Q-Lab.
2024
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Selected Readings: Exploring the Power of Questions For Society
A curated set of readings on the critical role of questions for society
2024
Format: article(opens external site in a new tab)The Critical Role of Questions in Building Resilient Democracies
How participatory approaches to questioning can improve data science and AI while strengthening democratic resilience.
2023
Format: papers(opens external site in a new tab)Questions as a Device for Data Responsibility: Toward a New Science of Questions to Steer and Complement the Use of Data Science for the Public Good in a Polycentric Way
Building on the 100 Questions initiative, discusses the role of questions in using data responsibility and lessons for a new science of questions.
2023
Format: article(opens external site in a new tab)Debate: ChatGPT Reminds Us Why Good Questions Matter
On the importance of asking well-framed and thoughtful questions in the generative AI era.
2023
Format: methodology(opens external site in a new tab)Data Innovation Primer: Using Participatory Sourcing of Questions in the Grant Making Process
Steps and resources for applying participatory approaches to questioning in philanthropy.
2020
Format: article(opens external site in a new tab)Designing the 100 Questions for NYC: Panel Reflects on New Science of Questioning During Open Data Week
Summarises the key takeaways from The GovLab and Reaktor’s discussion on the principles of the 100 Questions initiative during NYC Open Data Week
2019
Format: blog(opens external site in a new tab)Raw Data Won’t Solve Our Problems — Asking the Right Questions Will
Raw data is not enough – well-formulated questions drive the meaningful, impactful, and ethical use of data.
The 100 Questions Initiative
The 100 Questions Initiative seeks to map the world's 100 most pressing, high-impact questions that could be answered if relevant datasets were leveraged in a responsible manner.
It aims to help establish priorities, so that we may make the most of scarce public resources. This initiative convened nearly 900 experts to identify the most important questions across nine core domains, alongside partners including the United Nations (opens in a new tab), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (opens in a new tab) (OECD), the Inter-American Development Bank (opens in a new tab), the European Commission (opens in a new tab), the Bertelsmann Foundation (opens in a new tab), the Gates Foundation (opens in a new tab), Schmidt Futures (opens in a new tab), data2x (opens in a new tab), The Asia Foundation (opens in a new tab), the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (opens in a new tab), the New Urban Mobility Alliance (opens in a new tab), the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (opens in a new tab), TUMI (opens in a new tab), and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering (opens in a new tab).
View the 100 Questions website (opens in a new tab)Read Q-Lab’s Substack: The Science of Questions
Essays on the science and practice of questions — the invisible infrastructure that determines what societies study, know, govern, and imagine.
