Genevieve Smith
D-Lab 2023 Data Science for
Social Justice Fellow
My Summer Exploring Data Science for Social Justice: Learnings, Tensions & Recommendations
by Genevieve Smith
This summer, I joined the D-Lab-hosted Data Science for Social Justice workshop at UC Berkeley, diving into Python – including TF-IDF, sentiment analysis, word embeddings, and more – with a lens towards leveraging data science for social justice. My team explored a Reddit channel on abortion and used computational analysis to answer key questions related to abortion access from before versus after Roe vs. Wade was overturned. Computational social science is incredibly powerful, but I continue to grapple with tensions particularly as it relates to employing machine learning and large language in international research, and end with key recommendations for CSS practitioners.
Undergraduate Data Science Workshop Series Data Science Discovery Program
The Introduction to Data Analysis with Python and SQL for Data Science workshop series is designed to help learners new to Python with basics for data analysis. Undergraduate Data Science Discovery Consultants will lead workshops to introduce basic data manipulation and visualization with Python. One introduction workshop will be offered in Spanish. Consultants will also be holding a panel for those interested in learning more about the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society or being a consultant. The workshops are designed to act as a starting point for learning concepts and will familiarize attendees with additional resources for getting help. This series also serves as a starting point for undergraduates in the Data Science Discovery Program.
Interested in digital mapping and GIS (geographic information science), but not sure where to start? Have some experience, but want to learn more about what the campus has to offer? This virtual workshop is for you!
We'll provide an overview of the GIS and digital mapping landscape as a whole, including:
which tools are out there and how to choose the right one for your needs
common terms used in the field
resources for learning how to get started mapping, and
where to go to find data to create your first project.
No experience or special software is required to participate. The Zoom link to the workshop will be sent to registrants 24 hours in advance.
UC Carpentries Computing Bootcamp Berkeley Library and UC-wide
The 2023 UC-wide Carpentries workshop series will take place online September 11-21. This workshop series is an 8-Day Carpentries Bootcamp that aims to teach participants basic concepts, skills, and tools for R in RStudio, Python in Jupyter Notebook, an introduction to the Unix Shell, Version Control with Git, SQL, and Tidy Data. This series is designed for researchers and enables non-experts to develop computing skills for research analysis. We will cover basic concepts and tools, such as - working with libraries and data frames; reading and plotting data; creating and using functions; the shell using command-line applications; cleaning and transforming data; and more.
This is a free workshop and is open to all University of California students, staff, and faculty. No previous knowledge is required. Participants may register for one or multiple session days.
Introduction to Unix Shell: learn the basics of command line interface and about navigating and working within files and directories
Version Control with Git: learn how to manage work, edit code, and collaborate on a team project in a repository
Introduction to R: learn basic coding, concepts, how to access data, and use functions for data analysis using a RStudio
Introduction to Python: learn basic coding, concepts, how to access data, and use functions for data analysis using a web-based application – Jupyter Notebook.
Tidy Data: learn how to use this tool to clean, transform, and track changes made to data.
SQL: learn about relational databases, how to import data, and how to run basic SQL queries.
Coleridge Initiative is launching their Coleridge Data for Evidence-Building Webinar Series! Our aim is simple: to facilitate conversations that drive effective policies for the greater good. We believe that by exploring key questions and discussing essential topics related to data and its impact on policy making, we can create positive changes in local communities.
The first session, "Access and Discovery of Data for the Public Good," is scheduled for September 19, 2023, 12pm EST. This session will focus on the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), a secure data hosting platform that encourages collaboration and innovation among public agency researchers. We believe that by sharing knowledge and insights, we can collectively work towards more informed and effective policymaking.
Your voice and participation are crucial to us as we embark on this journey. More details and registration information will be shared in the coming weeks, and we sincerely hope you can join us.
BIDS Center for Cultural Analytics Inaugural Lecture and Reception
The Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS) is proud to announce the creation of its first Center – the Center for Cultural Analytics, a joint initiative between BIDS and Faculty from the Humanities and the School of Information. The Center develops and refines computational methods as its members interrogate cultural production across a wide range of disciplines. The research will focus on the data-driven analysis of cultural phenomena.
The Center’s Leadership Group and BIDS will host an inaugural event featuring guest speaker Professor David Blei. We hope to see you at the lecture and meet you at the reception!
The Student Technology Council (STC) is looking for 8-10 graduate, professional and undergraduate student members who represent the widest possible diversity of academic programs/majors, campus affiliations and personal identities. STC student members:
Advocate for student needs and solutions that improve the technology experience for all students overall
Develop professional, advisory relationships with the Chief Information Officer and other senior IT leaders
Amplify their peers' voices and gain insight into how institution-wide decisions are made around technology services
Attend three meetings per semester (Tuesdays 5:30-7pm - Fall: 9/19, 10/17, 11/7; Spring: 2/13, 3/12, 4/9)
Previous coursework and/or experience related to technology is not a requirement - just an interest in improving the student technology experience.
Center for Effective Global Action Communications Intern
Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) at UC Berkeley seeks a talented Communications Intern (10-15 hours/week) to promote the work of CEGA and our faculty network and better translate research into action. This is an exciting opportunity to work with staff, students, and faculty across the center to develop multimedia content, disseminate research through social media, monitor press coverage, support website operations, and lead special projects. They will report to the CEGA Senior Associate for Communications and Events.
CEGA compensates undergraduate interns (i.e., undergraduate students, bachelor degree holders, or equivalent) at $21/hour and graduate student interns (graduate students, graduate degree holders, or equivalent) at $26/hour. This is fully remote with the option to work in person in our office in Berkeley, CA.
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