University of Utah Researchers Utilize Research Data Center to Study Social Issues

With 32 sites throughout the U.S., the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDC) program aims to decentralize access to restricted federal agency databases and promote novel avenues of academic inquiry utilizing “big data,” which has historically only been available to federal researchers. One such site is the Wasatch Front Research Data Center (WFRDC), which is directed by University of Utah Distinguished Professor of Family Studies & Population Science Ken Smith.

University of Washington's Data Science for Social Good Program Uses “Big Data” for an Array of Projects

At the University of Washington (UW) eScience Institute’s Data Science for Social Good (DSSG) program, it’s not just about the numbers. With support from the West Hub, the program hosts multiple projects analyzing data in order to tackle societal challenges each summer.

The recent DSSG Learning and Doing Data for Good Conference was attended by students and professionals from across the nation sharing how they have applied data science to an array of important societal issues.

Registration Open for the WiDS Datathon 2023 Challenge: Adapting to Climate Change by Improving Extreme Weather Forecasts

West Hub Leader Vani Mandava joins University of Washington as Head of Engineering

The University of Washington (UW) eScience Institute recently selected Vani Mandava as the Head of Engineering for the newly formed UW Scientific Software Engineering Center (SSEC) to build a world-class software engineering team to transform scientific software development.

Mandava represented the West Big Data Innovation Hub on its Steering Committee and at the national Big Hubs level as a National Coordination Committee representative. It was through close collaborations facilitated by the West Hub, that the UW team was originally connected with Mandava, a relationship that will now be transformative for supporting this new center. 

She most recently led Trustworthy AI research engagements at Microsoft Research Outreach as Director of Data Science, and has over two decades of experience related to shipping software that scales across clients, enterprise and cloud services. She has driven numerous successful collaborations across academic, government and industry research to enable robust and reproducible scientific tools and pipelines. Mandava is deeply interested in creating software driven solutions that can contribute to open and reproducible science. 

“I am excited to bring together best practices and talent from the software industry, with deep commitment to fundamental science and sustainable tool development under one roof at a world class academic institution such as UW,” Mandava said. “Through SSEC and eScience Institute, academic researchers now have this golden opportunity to build the next generation of software solutions that will unlock the potential of large scientific datasets to accomplish significant research breakthroughs.”

2022 California Water Data Challenge: Accepting Submissions until December 16

The California Water Data Challenge is accepting submissions related to the themes of racial equity, policies and regulations, data accessibility, and data quality. You can access recordings of the symposium and kickoff here. 

California is implementing the Open and Transparent Water Data Act to publish water and ecosystem information in an open data format. In addition to fostering the development of innovative tools and insights related to safe drinking water, the California Water Data Challenge will provide participants an opportunity to engage with the open data portal and submit feedback, advice, and suggestions for consideration as this effort is being implemented.

Data has the power to help us see challenges through different lenses, discover solutions that may not otherwise be evident, and put tools into the hands of those who need them most—empowering the community to work together in new ways. The 2022 Water Data Challenge focuses on open data to collectively assess what we know and prepare for a more resilient future.