About The Series

The CIVICA Data Science Seminar Series is a forum that brings together interdisciplinary experts working on novel methodological approaches that leverage new forms of data to address complex societal challenges.

Session 1 - Fall 2022 Details

The job of data scientist has been hailed as one of the most exciting emerging roles of the past decade. Who are data scientists and how do you become one? How has data-driven work led to this new role and which skills, dilemmas and achievements are associated with it? What does it mean to do that job, personally, professionally and socially?

Drawing from her recent book, Data Science and Society: A Critical Introduction, with Sabina Leonelli, Prof. Anne Beaulieu will speak on becoming a data scientist and on the skills that data scientists need to put data to work. To address these topics, the questions ‘what is data science’ and ‘what does it mean to do data science’ will be explored. In order to understand what data scientists do, it is important to clarify what is usually understood when using the term data science. Most crucial, however, is to consider what data work involves and to grasp how different aspects of data work influence each other. The ways in which the skills that are needed for data scientists and data workers are taught and learned also matters greatly. They shape how collaboration can take place and affect the power dynamics of teams—concretely shaping whose knowledge is included and as who benefits from data science. The talk will end with a reflection on how data scientists can play key societal roles, in terms of social and epistemic justice, access to services, public deliberation and democratic processes.

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