MDI Scholars Spring 2022 Research Showcase
Earlier this month, MDI Scholars presented their research projects to faculty, classmates, and community members during the first in-person MDI Scholars Research Showcase.
The MDI Scholars program launched in Fall 2019 as an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside researchers and practitioners to engage in interdisciplinary data science and public policy research.
Over this past year, MDI Scholars partnered with faculty and researchers from across the university to work on projects ranging from analyzing translating tools to exploring the impact of upzoning on neighborhoods. The scope of the projects highlights the truly interdisciplinary nature of MDI and the innovative thinking of the scholars.
“We loved seeing students apply their skills to real-world projects where they not only expanded their capabilities but also helped move forward important, varied, and interesting projects,” said Michael Bailey, Professor of the Data Science for Public Policy Program and Director of MDI.
During the Research Showcase, each project team presented their work in a 60-seconds “flash talk” in which they highlighted the research question, methods, and conclusion to the audience of professors, deans, and fellow students. Afterward, attendees engaged with the scholars’ work at their research posters.
“I am always amazed by how much students learn about research and how excited they are to share it,” said Lisa Singh, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Research Professor at MDI. “I really enjoyed seeing the depth and diversity of the research and look forward to seeing where all these students apply what they learned after they leave Georgetown.”
About the MDI Scholars Program: The MDI Scholars program is an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and Master’s students to work on interdisciplinary research projects with professors and practitioners. These projects connect new forms of data and/or large-scale computing infrastructure to different public policy questions.
Written by Elizabeth Ledwith ’24
