This column is written for those interested in learning about the world of Data for Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes that benefit our lives, our communities, and our world. If you would like to know more or have ideas for articles, contact David Corliss.
With a PhD in statistical astrophysics, David Corliss works in analytics architecture at Ford Motor Company while continuing astrophysics research on the side. He serves on the steering committee for the Conference on Statistical Practice and is president-elect of the Detroit Chapter. He is the founder of Peace-Work, a volunteer cooperative of statisticians and data scientists providing analytic support for charitable groups and applying statistical methods to issue-driven advocacy in poverty, education, and social justice.
With the new academic year, students at colleges and universities have a huge number of activities from which to choose, offering an endless supply of experiences and opportunities. There are many ways to connect and make a difference for those seeking to apply their developing analytic skills to projects for the greater good.
While trying to launch a new student group can face challenges—from finding a faculty sponsor to navigating a complex approval process—it isn’t necessary to start a whole new student organization from the ground up. Many existing groups engaged in community involvement, social justice, or good causes can benefit from students’ work in analytics.
Professionals wanting to get started in Data for Good activities are often advised to look at organizations with which they already have a relationship. The same is true for students. Take a look at the student organization, community service group, fraternity or sorority, sports league, animal shelter, or another place where you are helping now. Sit down with the organization’s leaders who already know you and your contributions and have a talk about how you can do even more good with your statistics and data science skills.
Data for Good efforts can be combined with academic work in class projects, term papers, and summer internships and research opportunities. A number of colleges now have entire programs based on using analytics for the greater good. One of the most prominent is the Data Science for Social Good program at The University of Chicago. This renowned program offers summer research fellowships in a variety of analytic skills areas—including machine learning and big data methods—on important Data for Good projects.
Partnerships with community organizations and mentoring relationships develop students’ scientific skills and help them become community leaders using statistics and data science to address today’s most important issues. Faculty and administrators at other colleges might want to learn more about the Data Science for Social Good program and others to design a program for their own college or university.
One type of student group we sometimes find is a subset of a larger organization, representing the intersection of data analysis and work for the greater good. The Data for Public Good group within the University of Michigan School of Social Work is an outstanding example. Within some 700 graduate students in social work, about 40 are involved in the Data for Good organization, and many more use data analysis in their projects.
I had the opportunity to meet these students and see their great work first-hand when giving the keynote at their annual symposium in April. Instead of the usual conference format with a few full presentations, the Michigan symposium had a large number of teams give a short presentation on their work to the whole group, followed by a poster session. This worked well for a fairly small group deeply involved in statistical projects from within a larger organization in social work. The same could be done for so many areas, such as a public health department hosting a data analytics symposium or a math, statistics, or biostatistics department forming a group to focus on Data for Good projects.
Of course, Data for Good isn’t just for students. Faculty, staff members, administrators, student mentors, parents, and even local community organizations all can play a role in supporting Data for Good activities at colleges and universities—recruiting student participants, connecting students with projects and organizations in need of help, supporting and encouraging student work, and creating scholarships and work co-op programs. Local community organizations will want to develop relationships with statistics departments and data science programs, creating opportunities for service and matching students wanting to serve with opportunities in the community where the need is greatest.
With participation in Data for Good, college can be more than making the grade: You can make a difference!
With late summer and fall comes hurricane season. For new Data for Good opportunities this month, consider taking a look at FEMA, especially its Disaster Crowdsourcing Exchange. FEMA recruits volunteers with data skills to help respond to disasters, producing tools such as databases and maps to support relief agencies on the ground. FEMA data volunteers can make a huge difference to people when it is needed most!
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