University of Washington

Program Structure

  1. Using Data Science /
  2. Data Science for Social Good /
  3. Program Structure

UW DSSG Program Structure

An Integrated Program Structure

Socially impactful data science requires symmetrical attention to applied research, engineering, and ethical engagement practices. In the UW DSSG program, each of these dimensions is robustly supported throughout the 10-week internship.

APPLIED RESEARCH

We advance high-quality research that benefits from:

  • Intensive cross-disciplinary collaboration
  • Leadership by a subject matter expert
  • Responsible application of data-intensive methods
  • Systematic exploration of the project’s social context and human impacts 
ENGINEERING

We support reproducible, open, data-intensive research:

  • Robust documentation practices
  • Programming and data management best practices
  • Effective version control
  • Open-source tools and platforms
ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

We view data science for social good as requiring:

  • A strong dose of humility
  • Recognition that ethical dilemmas are ever-present
  • Meaningful engagement with stakeholders
  • Integration of a range of human-centered concepts and practices throughout the research cycle

While every project follows a unique trajectory, the program provides a structure that guides project and professional development. The timeline below is an example of what participants in the UW DSSG program can expect.

Week 1: TEAM FORMATION

🟨 APPLIED RESEARCH
🟦 ENGINEERING
🟩 ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT
  • Introduction to Data Science for Social Good Workshop on ethical tensions and social complexities of “doing good” with data 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Conceptual Intro to Git & Github Tutorial  🟨 🟦
  • Python Coding  🟨 🟦
  • Documentation Tutorial 🟨 🟦
  • Team & Project Intros 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Team Charter  🟦
  • Team Collaboration & Communication Workshop  🟦 
  • Team & Cohort  🟦 
  • Building Activities  🟦 

Weeks 2-5: UNDERSTANDING & FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM

🟨 APPLIED RESEARCH
🟦 ENGINEERING
🟩 ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

Week 2

  • Preparing for Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on integrating engagements into each team’s project 🟨 🟩
  • Software Design Tutorial 🟨 🟦
  • Geospatial Tutorial 🟨 🟦
  • Bi-Weekly Leadership Meeting 🟨 
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Alumni Panel  🟨 🟩 
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 3

  • Stakeholder Power Analysis Workshop for each team 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Machine Learning with SciKit Learn Tutorial 🟨 🟦
  • Object Oriented Programming Tutorial 🟨 🟦  
  • Project Spotlight all-hands discussion led by a project’s student  fellows 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Government Panel 🟨 🟩
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 4

  • Creating Your Project’s Website w/GitHub Tutorial 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Toward Reproducible Data Science Tutorial 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Evaluating Machine Learning Models Tutorial 🟨 🟦 
  • Bi-Weekly Leadership Meeting 🟨 
  • Workflow Organization & Coordination Workshop (per team) 🟨
  • Project Spotlight 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ STS Perspective 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 5

  • Docathon 1: Public Communication on Defining & Contextualizing the Problem 🟨 🟦 🟩  
  • Git & Github Workflows for Project Teams Tutorial 🟦 
  • Project Spotlight 🟨 🟦 
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Non-Profit Panel 🟨 🟩 
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Weeks 6-7: SCOPING SOLUTIONS

🟨 APPLIED RESEARCH
🟦 ENGINEERING
🟩 ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

Week 6

  • Bi-Weekly Leadership Meeting 🟨 
  • Project Spotlight 🟨 🟦 
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Anthropology Perspective 🟨 🟦 🟩  
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 7

  • Docathon 2:  Public Communication on Data, Methods, and Tools 🟨 🟦 🟩  
  • Project Spotlight 🟨 🟦
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Commercial Panel 🟨 🟦 🟩  
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Weeks 8-9: GRIND TIME

🟨 APPLIED RESEARCH
🟦 ENGINEERING
🟩 ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

Week 8

  • Data Science Communication Public Speaking Workshop 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Bi-Weekly Leadership Meeting 🟨 
  • Project Spotlight 🟨 🟦 
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Feminist Perspective 🟨 🟦 🟩 
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 9

  • Docathon 3: Public Communication on Results, Deliverables, & Outcomes 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Talking Data Science Lunch w/ Academic Panel 🟨 🟩  
  • Fellows 1-on-1 Check-Ins 🟨
  • Cohort Building Social (Optional) 🟨

Week 10: PRESENT, POST & HAND-OFF

🟨 APPLIED RESEARCH
🟦 ENGINEERING
🟩 ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

Week 10

  • Public Presentations 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Publish Project Website on GitHub 🟨 🟦 🟩
  • Hand-off Sprint 🟨 🟦 
  • Celebration Reception 🟨 🟩 
  • Debriefs 🟨