Data Science Lab hosts Summer School DS3 for (future) data science experts

From 20 July to 5 August, the Hertie School Data Science Lab hosted its second Data Science Summer School (DS3). During the two-week programme, about 5800 participants from over 50 countries learned about data skills and their usefulness for public policy decisions. Sponsored by the Hertie School, the event was completely free of charge and held virtually, allowing interested learners from anywhere around the world to join the eight online workshops and sessions remotely. 

“We can see the strong need to keep track with the technological and digital developments around us by looking at the growing number of registrants for the summer school,” says Huy Ngoc Dang, Manager of the Data Science Lab. The organising team around Dang, including Lab Director Prof. Slava Jankin and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Olga Gasparyan recorded an increase by 2900 participants compared to last year. “Data science is the discipline to help identify solutions to many challenges in our digital world today. That’s what makes it so attractive,” Dang adds. 

Workshops at the summer school addressed both beginners and intermediate learners in the field. Topics ranged from the basics of statistics programme R and coding language Python to the latest developments in Machine and Deep Learning. The team hosted researchers and expert instructors from Europe and the United States to share their knowledge with fellow data science enthusiasts. 

“We are really happy about the feedback we received,” says Dang. “One participant from Egypt approached us saying that he felt really challenged, but in a way that encouraged his full potential. Another one from South Korea appreciated the open environment and possibility to ask detailed questions,” the Lab Manager continues. “We will definitely continue with another summer school next year.” 

Serving as an introduction and refresher on the foundational knowledge for the Master of Data Science for Public Policy programme at the Hertie School, the Data Science Summer School is also a contribution to scientific education within the open-source community from which students and researchers of the Hertie School have benefited greatly. 

A recording of all workshops can be found on the webpage of the Data Science Summer School or directly on YouTube. 

The Hertie School is not responsible for any content linked or referred to from these pages. Views expressed by the author/interviewee may not necessarily reflect the views and values of the Hertie School.