This panel examines the state of research in the areas of data practices, behaviors, infrastructure, and policies through a series of five recently completed and in-progress studies. At their core these investigations seek to examine strategies for better connecting data, policies, and research communities. Often data and their related practices, policies, and infrastructure lack connection and cohesiveness to support data sharing among various communities. To better understand the current situation these connections will be explored through an assessment of emerging research. It is hoped that this research can be utilized to transform and better connect data practices, policies, and communities of practice.