Synthesizing Insights and Lessons Learned to Elevate Interest and Empower Historically Black College and University Students to Engage in Data Science

• In Event: Creating Digital Counter-Spaces: Exploring Social Media, Science, and Culture in the Data Age

Abstract

In a society that is increasingly shaped by big data, possessing data science expertise empowers individuals to illuminate and potentially solve deeply entrenched social injustices. The ever-hastening rush to offer data science education presents a danger that these efforts replicate existing landscapes of inequity in access and participation. The purpose of this study was to proactively garner insights to create an approach to providing early exposure that prevents data science from becoming yet another arena where historically underrepresented subgroups are marginalized. This study, which rigorously examined an innovative approach for providing introductory exposure to data science embedded within social justice problem exploration, produced findings that provide a wealth of important and actionable insights along with preliminary evidence of effectiveness.

Authors

• Rebecca A. Zulli-Lowe, Cynosure Consulting

• Adrienne A. Smith, Cynosure Consulting

• Ravanasamudram N Uma

• Alade O Tojuta