The Industry Data Navigator is a project by the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
Our Mission
The Industry Data Navigator was born from a vision to make complex economic data accessible, meaningful, and actionable for researchers, policymakers, and investors. To this end, the Navigator provides intuitive visualization tools that enable users to quickly identify patterns, decompose aggregate changes, and understand the complex interrelationships between production, trade, employment, and investment across the American economy.
Effective economic analysis shouldn't require advanced programming skills or specialized statistical software. By making powerful analytical capabilities available through an intuitive interface, we aim to expand the community of researchers who can contribute meaningful insights to economic policy discussions. And by making it easy to compare different indicators and industries, we aim to put the data in context, providing a fulsome view of the state of the economy based on many data points.
Our Approach
We believe in the power of visual, data-driven storytelling to illuminate economic relationships. Our approach emphasizes:
- Decomposition: Breaking down aggregate changes to identify their specific drivers
- Multi-dimensionality: Analyzing economic phenomena through multiple related metrics
- Contextual understanding: Placing current trends in appropriate historical context
- Precision: Focusing on specific industries rather than broad generalizations
- Accessibility: Removing technical barriers to sophisticated analysis
Looking Forward
As economic data continues to grow in volume and complexity, and as policy challenges demand increasingly nuanced analysis, we remain committed to enhancing our platform's capabilities while maintaining its accessibility. We welcome feedback from our user community and continuously strive to improve the tool's effectiveness as a resource for evidence-based economic research and policy development.
Join us in exploring the detailed structure and dynamics of the American economy, one sector at a time.