Where can a person with graduate degrees in data science, analysis, and survey methods help to make social change? Suggestions, advice, and leads please - ThreadSky

dynarski.bsky.social • 141 days ago

Where can a person with graduate degrees in data science, analysis, and survey methods help to make social change?

Suggestions, advice, and leads please

Comments

reaper-man.bsky.social•141 days ago

I volunteer at a local hospital. It's a small thing, I play guitar for some of the kids in the juvenile recovery rooms on Sundays. I'd recommend starting with something small, within your community :)

lena-kauffman.bsky.social•141 days ago

Help public school districts do the data analysis needed to join the class action suit against the social media companies? It is quite similar in nature to the suits states filed against cigarette companies in the 90s and might make a similar big positive impact. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/school-district-lawsuits-against-social-media-companies-are-piling-up/2024/01#:~:text=More%20than%20200%20school%20districts,multiple%20hours%20a%20day%20on.

datageekb.bsky.social•141 days ago

I have thoughts and leads--more than will fit in the character limit.
You can reach me here if you want to chat:
https://www.prb.org/contact/

sandybeach.me•141 days ago

Sent my email through the contact form, thank you!

econanne.bsky.social•141 days ago

Many charitable food assistance providers (food banks, food pantries, congregate meal sites, Meals on Wheels, etc.) have started collecting more data and many seem keen to analyze it to improve services and/or share successes. In my experience, these are wonderful organizations to work with.

riacton.bsky.social•141 days ago

Have heard good things about https://codeforamerica.org/

walkingwithu.bsky.social•141 days ago

Coming from a nobody, I wish teachers would give 6 week course on American Civics, Science and history for free in rural areas. I live in a rural area, and they know nothing.

pfts.bsky.social•141 days ago

It depends a bit on the geography where you are situated. However, Red Cross is not a bad suggestion.

prabinov42.bsky.social•141 days ago

Join (or start) your local chapter of Data For Good. This (https://dataforgood.ca/) is the Canadian one, but the need is everywhere.

chadtopaz.bsky.social•141 days ago

https://www.qsideinstitute.org

kilianl.bsky.social•137 days ago

📌

chadtopaz.bsky.social•141 days ago

Also if that’s not appealing, still get in touch because I am full of ideas.

sandybeach.me•141 days ago

Sent an email through the qside address just now, thank you!

chadtopaz.bsky.social•141 days ago

MY NONPROFIT seriously. Get in touch. This is what we do.

jfx9.bsky.social•141 days ago

You take late career folks?

chadtopaz.bsky.social•141 days ago

I will work with literally anyone to identify options. I'm easily googleable... shoot me an email.

dynarski.bsky.social•141 days ago

I am sending students your way!

chadtopaz.bsky.social•141 days ago

Already got one! Making plans!

bradleveck.bsky.social•141 days ago

Not sure if they have any openings at the moment, but Open Labs (aka Blue Rose).

ktscofield.bsky.social•141 days ago

📌

moosehb.bsky.social•141 days ago

Calling out misinformation first and foremost, would be a good start

fairverona.bsky.social•141 days ago

Communities. Community centers, online communities, libraries, connect with local departments, non profits, participation in local government.

jc-econ.bsky.social•141 days ago

At a very practical level data science can be used to detect interventions and interference in our voting systems and communication? It can be used to follow the money that influences the system? We need to assume less and analyze and cross check more—data scientists + investigative journalists

unjournal.bsky.social•141 days ago

@willemsleegers.bsky.social may have ideas

addylord.bsky.social•141 days ago

@borderless.bsky.social has said that their work could use skillsets like yours! Logistics/mutual aid. Do recommend!

borderless.bsky.social•141 days ago

Yup!

drewmoxon.bsky.social•141 days ago

Lots of good DS jobs at non-profits. Places like ACLU or NRDC regularly hire data folks.

eduglaze.bsky.social•134 days ago

Innovations for Poverty Action. We run hundreds of RCTs with leading academics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, testing out innovative approaches to solving problems of global poverty. Our data science and engineering team is growing fast. We need talent. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/steven-glazerman-b862777_ipa-is-hiring-data-scientists-come-join-activity-7263326335131955200-MRpx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

freerangestats.info•141 days ago

I think official statistics is underestimated by many as important fundamental infrastructure for social change. A stint in the methods area of a national stats office is a great thing. But if we're talking USA, now is probably not a good time to get into the public sector.

wchc.pl•141 days ago

Try looking at https://80000hours.org/

siddharthamitter.bsky.social•141 days ago

I feel like there's a huge need for some kind of super clear concise explainer that gets past the jargon "neoliberalism" to provide mass political education on US political economy and inequality since 1980

siddharthamitter.bsky.social•141 days ago

(Perhaps this exists? But if so it isn't getting around)

kombiz.bsky.social•141 days ago

So honestly, i think it's good to find a group that is not just doing non-profit work but clearly has a communications shop that is honest and understands political impact. And be wary of groups too silo'd or trying way too hard for bi-partisan mantle. Getting to know researchers or heads of 1/?

kombiz.bsky.social•141 days ago

Research departments at international unions or major local unions is probably a good idea. Doing something that is cross discipline where people from outside can do a day or weekend learning skills from your field, and possibly a research director / communications person from dem politics or union

kombiz.bsky.social•141 days ago

Works through their methods and how they do research on policy / organizing. There are a couple of people who are amazing investigative reporters who interned with a team in the past role. Or find the local grassroot movement that could benefit from the work. There was a group research for action

kombiz.bsky.social•141 days ago

In philadelphia which did big work on the cost of disinvestment and charter school expansion there and their research was super important not just in philly fight with corbett in 14. I have no clue who the researchers were but i was translating the report into puerto rico 6 years after reading it