CDAS first Annual Partner Event

Article by Vicki Jenneson

On the 18th September, the Centre for Data Analytics and Society held its first annual partner event at LIDA. Attended by academics from across the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) institutions and representatives from partner organisations, the event proved a great opportunity for networking and for the students to share what’s been keeping them so busy in their first year.

The event was opened by LIDA Director, Professor Mark Birkin, who was key to the establishment of the CDT. It was then over to the students from each of the CDT institutions at the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield. The students gave group presentations showcasing their learnings from the MSc modules, experiences of working with partners during internship projects, and how they’d already started applying their new data skills to their PhD topics. With research areas ranging from health to crime, transport, retail and more, the students displayed a broad use of data science techniques such as clustering and text analysis, including some ‘just for fun’ projects including an analysis of Pokémon characteristics. The presentations gave a real flavour of the interdisciplinary nature of the CDT and a clear sense of collegiality was on show.

Marking the completion of the first year for the Data Analytics and Society CDT, the event also provided an opportunity for feedback and discussion from student, academic and partner perspectives. We’re excited that the ideas raised during the event have led to the launch of our new @DataCDT twitter page and the set-up of thematic interest groups to promote collaboration and knowledge-share across the institutions. We feel that this is especially important now that the CDT has grown in number, having recently welcomed a brand-new cohort of first year students.

Having completed day two of the Introduction to Programming module in Python, the new student cohort later joined the event for an informal poster and networking session. This was a chance to view academic posters prepared by each of the current students and to ask questions about their work and experiences so far, which seemed to fuel excitement and settle nerves in equal measure among the new students.

As the CDT enters its second year, we’re excited to work with new academics and partners and to see ongoing projects progress. A number of our students have already been getting out to share their preliminary research findings at conferences nationally and overseas. So, watch this space and follow our twitter page to stay in touch with our CDT students as they continue to work at the cutting edge of their subject areas.

Article by Vicki Jenneson, CDT student specialising in Public Health Nutrition.

To find out more about the Centre for Doctoral Training, please click here.

To view the posters displayed during the networking event, please click the links below:

How can your weekly shop contribute to nutrition research? Vicki Jenneson

Exploring the Ambient Population: Leeds City Centre Annabel Whipp

Cycling Rates, Cycle-friendly infrastructure and deprivation Eugeni Vidal Tortosa

Physical Activity in the UK Francesca Pontin

Predictive Geodemographics Jennie Gray

Footfall in Kirkgate Market Keiran Suchak

Incorporating E-commerce into Grocery Sector Retail Location Modelling Ryan Urquhart