Jonathan Schwabish, PhD | Senior Fellow, Urban Institute

Title: Bringing Data to Life: Community Data Physicalization 

Abstract: Data physicalization is the act of creating data visualizations in physical space, such as with tapestries, jewelry, sculpture, glasswork, pottery, clothing, and food. Many data physicalization projects in the existing literature, however, focus on those created for exhibition, where the viewer has little or no impact on the visualization itself. In this talk, I argue for a more collaborative, community-driven, and affordable approach to creating data visualizations in the real world. I first present an “agency model” for data physicalization to distinguish between the various types of data physicalizations. I also explore results from interviews conducted in early 2024 with four firms working in the museum-installation space and how these firms create engaging and interactive exhibits. Finally, I describe an ongoing, weekly data physicalization project that uses relatively simple and affordable forms to engage colleagues and create shared data visualizations. 

Bio: Dr. Jonathan Schwabish is an economist, writer, teacher, and data communications expert. He is considered a leading voice for clarity and accessibility in how analysts, researchers, and scholars communicate their findings. Across four books, he has provided a comprehensive guide to creating, communicating, and distributing data-rich content. Better Presentations coaches people through preparing, designing, and delivering data communication products; Elevate the Debate helps people develop a strategic plan to communicating their work across multiple platforms and channels; and Better Data Visualizations details essential strategies to create more effective data visualizations. His most recent book, Data Visualization in Excel, hit bookshelves in May 2023 and helps readers create better graphs and charts in the Excel software tool.

Tan Le | Assistant Professor, Hampton University

Title: Education on Intersection of Cybersecurity and AI: STEM, Youth Empowerment and Workforce Development

Bio: Tan Le was a Research Assistant Professor with the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), Old Dominion University (ODU), Suffolk, VA, USA, and is now an Assistant Professor with Hampton University (HU), Hampton, VA, USA. From 2002 to 2010, he was a Lecturer with Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education. He was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal from 2015 to 2016, Arizona State University from 2016 to 2017 and Utah State University from 2017 to 2020. He received his B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees from Ho Chi Minh University of Technology in 2002 and 2004, respectively and his Ph.D. degree from University of Quebec in 2016.

His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, internet of things, vehicular networks, blockchain, 5G and beyond network, smart healthcare, edge/fog/cloud computing and software defined networking. He has accumulated solid working experiences of both industry and academic institutions relevant to cybersecurity. He oversees many essential research directions to contribute to the future development of cybersecurity. He recently worked on the team to develop an integrated secure and privacy preserving 5G-empowered hyperconnected-vehicle platform that addresses secure mobility management, intrusion detection on the controller area network, privacy preserving data sharing and trust management. He also is working with ODU researchers to propose 5G and internet of things technology tailored to realize massive, low-latency and resilient infrastructure that will benefit and secure large numbers of Department of Defense mission-supporting devices.

Earvin Balderama | Assistant Professor, Fresno State

Title: The DEDICATE Project and Faculty Training Workshops

Bio: Earvin Balderama is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at Fresno State, teaching graduate and undergraduate statistics and data science courses including biostatistics, probability theory, machine learning, statistical computing and consulting. Earvin Balderama is a Johanson Entrepreneurship Fellow, a California Water Institute Faculty Fellow, and a co-PI of the recently funded NSF-INCLUDES project, DEDICATE: Data Science Equity-Driven Inquiry to Create Accessible Project-based Training for Social Impact Education. 

Prior to Fresno State, Earvin Balderama received a PhD in Statistics from UCLA, was a postdoc at NC State, and spent four years at Loyola University Chicago as faculty in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Earvin Balderama is passionate about the subject of statistics, learning new things, and sharing that knowledge. His goal is to make statistics accessible and fun for all students so they are motivated to pursue more statistics in their education. He hopes to be able to instill in students a true appreciation for statistics and learning that they can take with them beyond the classroom in a way that will be useful to them in their everyday lives. Outside of work, Earvin Balderama enjoys volleyball, rock climbing, and spending time with his 4-year-old daughter.

John Harnisher | Head of Research, DataKind

Title: Call for Collaborations

Bio: John brings over 20 years of experience as a leader and researcher in the fields of data modeling, analytics, assessment, employee selection and organizational development to DataKind. Before joining DataKind, John led research, data science, machine learning and assessment functions for Kaplan, Talogy (previously PSI Caliper) and I/O solutions. John is a strong believer in developing and completing research and data science projects that positively impact society. John holds a BA in psychology from Connecticut College, a Master of Science in I/O Psychology from NYU and a PhD in Organizational Psychology from NYU.