AUC Data Science Framework

Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) Member Institutions

Capacity Accelerator Network

Data Science for Social Impact Playbook

Chapter overviews

Ch 1. Introduction

• Learn about the Playbook goals and orientation

• Learn about the organization of the playbook

Ch 2. About the Network

• Read about the origins of the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN)

• Learn about the people who created the Playbook content

Chapter overviews

Ch 3. Playbook Principles: Social Impact and Ethics

• See the range of ways institutions embrace social impact

Ch 4. Courses and Modules

• See the courses and modules created by different institutions

Ch 5. Internships and Research

• Understand co-curricular and summer programs

Ch 6. Events and Activities

• Review addiitonal ways to provide data for social impact opportunities

Chapter overviews

Ch 7. Lessons Learned

• Get guidance from CAN network members

Ch 8. Student Profiles

• Meet our students, the future leaders of data science

Ch 9. Engaging External Partners

• Learn how CAN network leaders work with others

Ch 10. Evaluation

• See the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) Theory of Action

CAN Theory of Action

CAN Theory of Action. Located in Chapter 10

Course: DATA 202 course at Howard University

In this course, students develop an understanding of statistics as a research tool. Students are expected to have some basic knowledge of statistics from a prior course. Emphasis will be placed on understanding statistical concepts and applying and interpreting tests of statistical inference for real-life applications. The content will include, but not be limited to, visual representations of data, descriptive statistics, correlation and simple regression, sampling distributions, and the assumptions associated with and the application of selected inferential statistical procedures. Throughout the course, there will be a strong emphasis on how statistical modeling can be a driving force for social justice.

Data 202 course organization

Research Lab: Quantitative Histories Workshop

Quantitative Histoies Workshop website

Community-based work

FATAL: An Analysis of Fatal Police Shootings in the United States

data curation and development

• critstats package

• education, community, and health outcomes (ECHO)

related research

• Alexander, N. N., Thompson, B., Piercey, V., & Diaz Eaton, C. (2025, in press). Towards a Praxis of Critical Inquiry in Undergraduate Mathematics Classrooms.

• Alexander, N. N., Appling, T., Banuelos, M., Bello, G., Brown, A., Century, J., Connor, K., Ji, H., Levy, R., Mitchell, P., Mongeau, D., Mysliwiec, M., Niu, J., Paykin, S., Quarkume, A., Schiffman, J., Skinner, L., Uminsky, D. & Zhong, P. (2023). Data Science for Social Impact in Higher Education: First Steps. Data.org Playbook (online).

• Jones, Q., Vindas Meléndez, A. R., Mendible, A., Aminian, M., Brooks, H. Z., Alexander, N. N., Diaz Eaton, C., & Chodrow, P. (2023). Data science and social justice in the mathematics community. Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 70(9), 1479-1489.

• Alexander N. N., Diaz Eaton C., Shrout A. H., Tsinnajinnie B., & Tsosie, K. (2022). Beyond ethics: Considerations for centering equity-minded data science. Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, 12(2), 254–300.

Collaborative Exercise: 1, 2, 4, ALL!

How can data science for social impact (DSSI) connect to or show up in your discipline(s)?

• Step 1: Solo reflection: What ideas do you have for DSSI in your discipline(s)?

• Step 2: In pairs: Generate moreideas in pairs; think interdisciplinary

• Step 3: Share ideas with another pair: What similarities or differences are there?

• Step 4: Large group shareout: What is one idea that stood out in your conversation?

Please share examples, ideas, or challenges.

Next Steps: An HBCU Open Science Network

• Goal. Collaborative networking within/across HBCUs to share resources and ideas.

• Funding. We received funding to support HBCU faculty with developing open-source data science modules and materials, strengthening data science infrastructure at their institutions. We just received bridge funding to expand this work.

• Partners. We are building an HBCU faculty network in partnership with The Carpentries to develop and share culturally relevant and social impact resources, and address the unique needs of HBCU students and faculty as it relates to open science.

• Building community. Bridge funds will support collaborative site visits, idea generation, and grant proposal development. Our first virtual meeting is in July for those interested in joining and helping to expand the network. Please be in touch.