The Harvard Data Science Review Podcast aimsto show news, policy, and business through the lens of data science. Each episode is a ‘case study’ into how data is used to lead, mislead, manipulate, and inform the important decisions facing us today
Episode 47. Data Are Born to Reveal: So What Can They Tell Us About Pregnancy?
In today's digital age, where information is more accessible than ever through online platforms, many people turn to search engines like Google for answers to their medical questions and concerns. The rapidly evolving landscape of women's health—shaped by advancements in medicine, artificial intelligence, and political shifts such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade—has given rise to a flood of misinformation, disinformation, and conflicting advice. In this month’s episode, we are joined by a reproductive health specialist who helps us navigate the facts about fertility and pregnancy.
Our guest:
Dr. Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Pacific Northwest Fertility, clinical associate professor at the University of Washington, and host of the fertility podcast Baby Or Bust.
Episode 46. Digesting 2024 Election Polls: How the Media Reports and Decodes the Numbers
The upcoming U.S. presidential race arrives at a time when many Americans are grappling with questions about poll accuracy and data reliability. This month, HDSR is joined by journalists Colby Hall and Leland Vittert for an in-depth look at how the media uses data to report and analyze elections and what past elections can teach us about 2024. We’ll discuss which data points are essential, how technology is reshaping polling and political reporting, what the biggest challenges are that the media faces when covering elections today compared to a decade ago, and which voter demographics could sway the 2024 election results in unexpected ways. Join us as we dive into these pressing questions and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.
Our guests:
Colby Hall, Peabody Award-winning television producer, founding editor of Mediate.com, and media contributor to NewsNation since March 2023
Leland Vittert, chief Washington anchor at NewsNation and host of On Balance with Leland Vittert
Episode 45. If You Want to Be a Data Scientist (or a Player) for the NFL, This Is for You…
As September marks the start of the NFL regular season, this month's episode explores how data science and AI are used in professional football to make the sport more entertaining, competitive, and safe. How has the way data is used to enhance the game advanced? What is the most underutilized piece of data that could offer teams a significant advantage? How do teams balance human instinct with AI-driven analysis when making decisions in games? For aspiring sports analysts, what technical or soft skills and experiences are most important to develop? Listen to our fascinating discussion as we delve into the intersection of sports analytics and data science.
Our guest:
Michael Lopez, Senior Director of Football Data and Analytics at the National Football League (NFL).
Episode 44. I Can’t Believe I Got Hacked! What Can We Do About Cybersecurity?
In July 2024, we witnessed one of the most significant internet disruptions in history when CrowdStrike released a faulty update to its security servers. This update impacted approximately 8.5 million systems, triggering outages across various sectors, including airlines, banks, stock markets, and even government emergency services. Even once activity was restored, threat actors sought to take advantage of the situation through phishing schemes and other cyberattacks. Though caused by an internal error rather than malicious intent, incidents like CrowdStrike’s outage underscore the growing importance of reliable security measures on technologies that impact daily life. On this month’s podcast, we explore the ins and outs of cybersecurity, how cyberattacks occur, and what steps you can take to protect your data.
Our guests:
Milena Rodban, independent geopolitical risk consultant and former senior advisor at the National Risk Management Center at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Arun Seelagan, Senior Data Scientist at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Episode 43. How Many Glasses of Wine a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?
To celebrate HDSR’s 5th anniversary last month, we hosted Vine to Mind, a symposium centered around wine and data science that featured leading experts from around the globe representing research and industry. The talks were so engaging that we decided to share some of the celebration with you at home. Today, we are joined by two of the esteemed symposium speakers, Laura Catena and Ahmed Tawakol, who help us explore the health benefits and potential drawbacks of wine. We also discuss how alcohol-related research is conducted, and learn about the future of wine research. For all of this and more, stay tuned for this latest episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast!
Our guests:
Laura Catena, Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata, and Founder of Catena Institute of Wine.
Ahmed Tawakol, Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Episode 42. AI and Elections: A Conversation With Secretary Steve Simon of Minnesota
After the 2020 United States presidential election, there were widespread claims that the election was unfair, insecure, and in some instances, outright stolen. This outcry put election officials under intense scrutiny, particularly those in secretary of state offices across the country. As we approach another presidential election season, it's crucial to address the most significant election safety concerns for the 2024 presidential, Senate, and House races. This month we delve into these issues with Minnesota’s secretary of state, Steve Simon. How does election reporting function? How will AI influence this election? Is your vote really being counted? This is a special edition of the podcast as Secretary Simon joined us for an HDSR Conversation with Leaders piece. Stay tuned for all of this and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.
Episode 41. Future Shock: Grappling With the Generative AI Revolution
This month we take some time to talk in depth about what exactly generative AI is, what it can do, and what it can’t do. In this special episode, derived from a webinar titled "Future Shock: Grappling With the Generative AI Revolution," host Xiao-Li Meng collaborates with Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to tackle the topic of generative AI with the help of esteemed panelists and the three co-editors of HDSR’s Future Shock special issue, Francine Berman, Ralf Herbrich, and David Leslie. Stay tuned for all of this and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.
Our guests:
Francine Berman, Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and Director of Public Interest Technology and the Stuart Rice Research Professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Ralf Herbrich, Managing Director of Hasso Plattner Institute and Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability at the Hasso Plattner Institute and University of Potsdam.
David Leslie, Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at The Alan Turing Institute, and Professor of Ethics, Technology and Society at Queen Mary University of London.
Episode 40. ChatGPT in the Classroom: Breeding More Cheaters or Better Learners?
Teaching the next generation of scholars has never been an easy task, but the recent boom of generative AI has introduced a new set of problems and opportunities for educators at all levels. This month we sit down with two experts and discuss the challenges and possibilities generative AI platforms pose for the education system. Are students becoming too reliant on technology? Will this reliance impact their critical thinking skills? How will generative AI platforms shape our students in the future? ChatGTP has raised fears of cheating on homework, but can its potential as an educational tool outweigh its risks? Stay tuned for all of this and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.
Our guests:
Elizabeth Shulman, Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University, and English teacher at Evanston Township High School
James Zou, Associate Professor of biomedical data science and Member of Stanford AI Lab at Stanford University
Episode 39. Polling for 2024 U.S. Election: What Should Voters Look for and Trust?
As the U.S. approaches another presidential election, many of us are contemplating our beliefs, staying informed about election news, and at times, questioning the integrity of the voting polls. This month we delve into the upcoming House, Senate, and presidential elections with the help of two political polling experts. Where can we find reliable polls amidst an ocean of information? Has the rise of AI and other technologies affected the 2024 election? How are election outcomes determined? Which voter demographics might lead to surprising election results? Join us for an insightful discussion on these topics and more on the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast.
Our guests:
Kai Chen Yeo, pollster and partner at Echelon Insights, a next-generation opinion research, analytics, and intelligence firm.
Scott Tranter, Head of Data Science at Decision Desk HQ
Episode 38. What Does AI Buy Us or Cost Us?: Views From the Financial Industry
The financial industry has a rich history of leveraging data for predictive purposes. From hedge funds employing regression analysis to fine-tune portfolios to individuals utilizing summary statistics in pursuit of the next groundbreaking startup, data has been a cornerstone of investment strategies for years. On today’s episode we sit down with two experts to explore how the recent surge in artificial intelligence has changed the investment game.
Our guests:
Christina Qi, CEO of Databento, Inc.
Victor Lo, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Fidelity Investments
Episode 37. In God We Trust: Everyone Else Must Bring Data or Liberty (January 18, 2024)
After the positive reception to our first listener question episode featuring co-host Xiao-Li Meng last August, we decided to start the new year with an exclusive interview with one of our most esteemed guests yet: HDSR’s own Liberty Vittert! For this special episode, Xiao-Li is joined by guest co-host, Arianwyn Frank, a producer of this podcast, a data science undergrad at Washington University, and a former student of Liberty’s. Listen now to their fascinating conversation with Liberty as they discover how a woman of many talents found herself in the exciting world of data science.
Our guest:
Liberty Vittert, Professor of the Practice of Data Science, Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis; resident on-air statistician for NewsNation; and feature editor of Harvard Data Science Review
Episode 36. Celebrating Holidays and Milestones of HDSR (December 22, 2023)
The HDSR podcast team wishes you happy holidays and a wonderful new year! We're grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm from you, our listeners and readers. We invite you to listen to our special holiday message from co-host Liberty Vittert and stay tuned for an exciting lineup of episodes in 2024!
Episode 35. Policing the Predictive Policing: The Promises and Perils of AI Technologies (November 30, 2023)
In recent years, police departments nationwide have increasingly embraced data and AI tools to enhance their crime prevention, investigation, and conviction efforts. These technologies range from image analysis on body cameras to license plate trackers predicting potential involvement in drug trafficking. However, a crucial question arises: Are these technologies both accurate and fair? Is law enforcement adequately trained to utilize them effectively? Is legislation adapting swiftly enough to keep pace with these transformative changes?
On today’s episode we engage in a conversation with a professor of law and a police chief who together provide us insights into the evolving landscape of policing technologies.
Our guests:
Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law
Virgil Green, Chief of Police for Golden Valley, Minnesota, and co-host of “You And The Law” podcast
Episode 34. Close to Refuge: Integrating AI and Human Insights for Intervention and Prevention (October 25, 2023)
According to the UN Refugee Agency, a staggering 108.4 million people were displaced from their homes by the end of 2022 due to reasons such as persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. On today’s episode, we discuss the pressing issue of the global refugee crisis and how data is playing a crucial role in addressing it. To help shed light on this topic, we talk to Dr. Seema Iyer, Senior Director of The Hive, USA for UNHCR’s innovation lab responsible for bringing data science, machine learning, and new technologies into the organization’s operations to enhance fundraising for refugees. During the conversation we discuss the pivotal role of data science in addressing the refugee crisis and delve into the types of data gathered to understand the needs of refugees, the challenges in utilizing this data, and the potential role of AI in facilitating new approaches. Listen now to this month's insightful episode.
Our guest:
Dr. Seema Iyer, Senior Director, The Hive, USA for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Episode 33. Out of Data Space? Explore Outer Space! (September 28, 2023)
In recent years, our fascination with the cosmos has reached new heights. From ground-breaking research missions to the emergence of interstellar consumerism, our universe has transformed into a thriving hub of exploration and innovation. How are we currently engaging with space and where might we be headed in terms of future interactions? What are the economic dynamics surrounding space exploration, and how might the emerging space economy affect future research? Is AI helping to unlock the secrets of the universe? On today’s episode we explore these questions and more during an out-of-this-world conversation with two distinguished experts.
Our guests:
Avi Loeb, Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science, Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Center for Astrophysics, and Founder of the Black Hole Initiative at Harvard University.
Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation.
Episode 32. What Is Data Science? (August 30, 2023)
We’ve been inundated with questions from our listeners on what defines a data scientist, how to break into analytics, and ways for the average person to assess data reliability. That is why for this month, we interview our very own Xiao-Li Meng, who has contemplated many such questions during his distinguished career. In this episode we delve into Xiao-Li’s personal journey—notably being named the best statistician under the age of 40 by the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies—to becoming the founding editor-in-chief of Harvard Data Science Review. Join us as we trace the steps that led to his remarkable accomplishments and illuminate the path you can follow to understand the data that shapes our world in our very first listener question special!
Episode 31. Big League Advantage and Harvard Sports Analytics Lab: What Do They Do and How Can I Join? (July 26, 2023)
In 2022, the sports analytics sector was valued at 2.98 billion USD and is expected to grow to 22.13 billion USD by 2030, at a CARG of 28.7% (source). In today's episode, we do a deep dive into this rapidly growing field from both industry and academic perspectives. What metrics do companies and researchers use to predict the next big winner? How are statistical tools and modeling applied differently to measure an individual player’s performance versus that of a team? How does an aspiring data scientist break into the sports analytics industry? We explore these questions and more with the help of two experts. Listen now!
Our guests:
Dr. Mark Glickman, senior lecturer on statistics and head of the Sports Analytics Laboratory at Harvard University.
Michael Schwimer, founder and CEO of Big League Advantage.
Episode 30. Under the Sheets: Producing, Protecting, and Probing Intimate Data (June 22, 2023)
How can the data collected by AI sex toys be used to help understand a wide variety of medical conditions and prescription side effects? Are companies storing and selling your most intimate data? When in your life is tracking your sexual satisfaction most important? In March we covered the Kinsey report for its 75th anniversary and discussed ways we conduct sex research in the present day. In response to the positive feedback on that episode, we decided to bring on specialists from the field to talk about the future of AI and the data of sex.
Our guests:
Liz Klinger, co-founder and CEO of Lioness and inventor of the Lioness AI vibrator.
Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist at The Kinsey Institute and host of The Sex and Psychology Podcast.
Episode 29. How Do Data Help Us Weigh the Benefit, Risk, and Cost of Ozempic (and other “Magic” Drugs)? (May 31, 2023)
Why are we seeing an unprecedented rise in prescription drug use in the U.S.? Is Ozempic really the magic cure for weight loss? How has the landscape of prescription medicine changed over time, and why are currently facing supply issues? On today’s episode, we explore hotly debated drugs and what the data says about prescribing them.
Our guests:
Dr. Heather Levites, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with a special interest in advanced cosmetic surgery. She earned her undergraduate degree at MIT and her MD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and completed her plastic surgery training at Duke University. She currently practices in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Dr. John Schneider, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Division Chief of Rhinology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Episode 28. The Intelligence and Rationality of AI and Humans: A Conversation With Steven Pinker (April 20, 2023)
This month, we are diving into the important and currently hot topic of artificial intelligence. Do we think rising platforms like ChatGPT are going to be running the world anytime soon? Does technology not only have the ability to be intelligent, but also rational? In this episode we get the pleasure of discussing these issues with Steven Pinker, an experimental cognitive psychologist and a popular writer on language, mind, and human nature. Listen to the conversation and find out what happens when an expert on the human mind sits down to discuss intelligence in machines with two data scientists!
Our guest:
Dr. Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He conducts research on language, cognition, and social relations; writes for publications such as TheNew York Times, The Guardian, Time, and The Atlantic; and is the author of twelve books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, The Blank Slate, The Stuff of Thought, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, Enlightenment Now, and Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters.
Episode 27. 70 Years After the Kinsey Reports: Is Data Science Improving Our Sex Studies (and Lives?) (March 30, 2023)
On today’s episode we commemorate the publication of the Kinsey Reports, two scholarly books by Alfred Kinsey on human sexual behavior, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953). These reports were among the earliest research studies to look at sexual behavior, but they also raise important questions for the data science community concerning ethics and bias. We explore those questions and more with the help of two experts.
Our guests:
Dr. Justin Garcia, Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute and the Ruth N. Halls Professor of Gender Studies at Indiana University, and Co-Chair of Human Sexuality and Health at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Prevention and Community Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz is also the President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
Episode 26. From Financial Markets to ChatGPT: A Conversation With Andrew Lo (February 23, 2023)
What can data tell us when it comes to how our money is invested? Are there data science tools that can help us manage the ups and downs of the financial markets? How has machine learning impacted forecasting? Can we rely on AI for investment advice? On today’s episode we explore these questions and more during a deep dive discussion on financial markets with our expert guest, Professor Andrew Lo.
Our guest:
Andrew W. Lo is the Charles and Susan Harris Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Director of the MIT Laboratory for Financial Engineering, and a principal investigator at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Professor Lo was recognized for his work on financial markets by being named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Episode 25. I Promise to Exercise Every January: Can Data Science Help My New Year’s Resolution? (January 19, 2023)
It's the post-holiday season and the time when people are focused on self improvement and getting in shape for the new year. But how do we keep and meet our fitness goals? How many days a week should we exercise? Do diet and food tracking apps actually work? In this episode we explore the data on fitness and health and discover successful strategies for keeping those New Year’s goals.
Our guests:
Dr. Michele Patel, clinical psychologist and instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine who conducts research on optimizing digital health interventions for treating obesity. Her latest work focuses on identifying what exactly people should be tracking (such as their steps, diet, body weight) to promote weight loss.
Erin Como, anchor/reporter with FOX 5 DC who covers the fitness and food scene in the nation's capital. Erin hosts the popular Cooking With Como series and is a co-host of the new hit show, LION Lunch Hour, airing daily at 11am EST.
Episode 24. Does Praying Work? Let's Pray Data Science Can Help to Answer (December 21, 2022)
For centuries religion has played an important role in shaping our society as a whole and determining the basis of life/purpose for individuals. Whether it’s several daily prayers, Sunday church, or the determination of what time you can eat, religion dictates day-to-day life for many. In this episode, we explore religion’s relationship to health and civic society. Can religious practices deeply increase your quality of life, or even save it? What does the data tell us?
Our guests:
Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of Public Religion Research Institute and political scientist studying the impact of gender, religion, and age on public opinion and political behavior. She is currently working on a book about the impact of gender on the politics of Generation Z. Her most recent book isTea Party Women (NYU Press: 2016), which examined the role of women in conservative politics. She is also a co-author ofWomen and Politics, a top-selling textbook on gender politics in the United States, now in its updated fourth edition.
Dr. Harold Koenig, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Medicine, Senior Fellow in the Center for Study of Aging and Human Development, and Founding Co-Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University.
Episode 23. I Want a Perfect Face (and Bra): Can Data Science Help? (November 29, 2022)
In this month’s episode, we dive into the glamorous side of data science by exploring the ways the field is being integrated in the beauty and fashion industries. We talk to two experts, a plastic surgeon and a fashion designer, about the tools and techniques they use.
Our guests:
Dr. Heather Levites, a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with a special interest in advanced cosmetic surgery. She earned her undergraduate degree at MIT, her MD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and completed her plastic surgery training at Duke University. She currently practices in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Nini Hu, a designer and art director with over 20 years of experience working with global fashion lifestyle brands and author of AI and Creativity for HDSR. Nini is also the founder of &HER, building customizable bras using AI, eco-friendly fibers, and automated production technology. &HER uses machine learning models to bring body shape and measurements directly to production.
Episode 22. It's Election Time Again—Do We Predict Better This Time? (October 26, 2022)
With the 2022 U.S. midterms right around the corner, this month’s podcast is all about elections. Who is going to win and why? In today's episode, we talk to four experts about their predictions for the upcoming midterm elections in November and how these elections might impact the presidential race in 2024.
Our guests:
Caroline Carlson, Senior Data Science Analyst at Dynata and Analyst for Decision Desk HQ
Ryan Enos, Professor of Government and Director of the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and co-author of Predicting the 2020 Presidential Election for HDSR.
Episode 21. Personalized Treatments: Is That Possible and What Can Data Science Tell Us? (September 29, 2022)
Today we discuss the most important element of our lives: our health. We do so by diving into personalized medicine, or more specifically, personalized (N-of-1) trials—clinical trials in which a single patient is the entire trial. For this episode, we invited two editors of Harvard Data Science Review’s special issue on N-of-1 trials and data science to help us examine all aspects of these clinical trials designed for a population of one person.
Our guests:
Dr. Karina Davidson, Senior Vice President of Research and Dean of Academic Affairs at Northwell Health.
Ken Cheung, Professor of Biostatistics at Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
Episode 20. To Drink or Not to Drink: Can Data Help Us Decide? (August 18, 2022)
The effects of drinking is a constant news headline. Every month or so, there seems to be a new study released that weighs the benefits and risks of drinking alcohol. Is some level of alcohol good for your health or should everyone completely avoid drinking? On today’s episode we invited two experts with differing views on alcohol consumption to help us examine the data and decide.
Our guests:
Emmanuela Gakidou, Professor of Health Metrics Sciences and Senior Director of Organizational Development and Training at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.
Eric Rimm, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and Director of the Program in Cardiovascular Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School.
Episode 19. Differential Privacy for the 2020 U.S. Census: Can We Make Data Both Private and Useful? Part 2 (August 10, 2022)
For this episode we embark on part two of our discussion on the U.S. Census.
Protecting the data privacy of survey respondents has always been a central consideration for the U.S. Census Bureau, and throughout its history, many methods have been developed and implemented. For the 2020 Census, the Bureau adopted a new form of privacy protection—differential privacy, which was received with mixed reaction. To further understand why the Census Bureau adopted this new form of privacy protection and to help explore the concerns raised about differential privacy, we invited two experts who represent both sides of the debate and who each contributed to the Harvard Data Science Review’s special issue on the 2020 U.S. Census.
Episode 18. Differential Privacy for the 2020 U.S. Census: Can We Make Data Both Private and Useful? Part 1 (July 29, 2022)
While most Americans have heard of the U.S. Census and understand that it is designed to count every resident in the United States every 10 years, many may not realize that the Census’s role goes far beyond the allocation of seats in Congress. For this episode, we invited the three co-editors of Harvard Data Science Review’s special issue on the U.S. Census to help us explore what the Census is, what it’s used for, and how the data it collects should remain both private and useful.
Our guests:
Erica Groshen, former Commissioner of Labor Statistics and Head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ruobin Gong, Assistant Professor of Statistics at Rutgers University
Salil Vadhan, Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at Harvard University
Episode 17. Public Opinions on Immigrants and Refugees: Does the Data Inform or Misinform Us? (June 29, 2022)
In this episode we dive into the data on refugees and immigration. American public opinion seems very divided on these issues, but is it really? Is the U.S. more or less welcoming to refugees and immigrants than other parts of the world? How has disinformation influenced politics? Will the U.S. Southern Border, Ukraine, and other potential refugee crises affect the upcoming political elections in the U.S.? We bring in two experts to help discuss:
Scott Tranter, Senior Vice President, Data Science and Engineering at Dynata and Co-Founder of Øptimus Analytics, which was acquired by Dynata in 2021. He is also an investor in Decision Desk HQ, which provides election results data to news outlets, political campaigns, and businesses.
Episode 16. Is It a Good Idea to Legalize Marijuana? What Can Data Tell Us? (May 25, 2022)
In this episode we discuss the hotly debated topic of marijuana legalization. While 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana and the United States House of Representatives just passed a landmark marijuana legalization bill, cannabis is still an illegal substance under federal law in the United States. With the help of two experts, we dive into the data behind the arguments for and against the legalization of marijauna.
Our guests are Dr. Silvia Martins, MD, PhD, Director of the Substance Use Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University and Lt. Diane Goldstein, Executive Director of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and law enforcement veteran having worked in investigations, crisis negotiation, and gang enforcement for 21 years.
Episode 15. Can or Should the Question, “Are We Alone?” Be Answered by Data Alone? (April 22, 2022)
Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? It's a question as old as time. On this month’s episode of the HDSR podcast we find out everything there is to know about life beyond earth by talking to the foremost experts who seek data and evidence to investigate the question, “Are we alone?”
Our guests are Abraham (Avi) Loeb, the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, Director of the Galileo Project and the Black Hole Initiative at Harvard University, and the bestselling author of Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth and Life in the Cosmos and Nick Pope, former civilian employee of the UK Ministry of Defense where his duties included investigating UFO sightings to assess the defense implications. Currently he works as a freelance journalist and broadcaster, specializing in UFOs, the unexplained, and conspiracy theories.
Episode 14. Recommender Systems: “People who listened to this episode also listened to . . . ” (March 25, 2022)
Recommender systems have become omnipresent in our everyday lives exemplified by Netflix telling us what movies to watch, to Amazon suggesting which books we should read, to Instacart promoting specific brands we must buy. We are constantly being influenced and seduced by these algorithms and the humans who designed them. On this month’s HDSR podcast we examine the pros and cons of recommender systems as well as the art, passion, and creativity that can be lost when we rely too heavily on them.
Our expert guests are Dr. Pearl Pu, the leading data scientist on recommender systems and a senior scientist at the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, and film-maker Brandt Andersen whose most recent film, Refugee about a Syrian doctor’s escape from her war torn country, was short-listed for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 2020.
Episode 13. Dating App or Matchmaker: Will You Swipe Right? (February 14, 2022)
Love is the topic of this Valentine’s Day episode of the HDSR Podcast. How do you find it and how do you make it last? Dating apps are a commonplace way for couples to meet and relationships to form, but do they help to make real love connections? With the help of two experts, we dive into the world of dating apps and discover how they can help and hinder your search for love. We also explore matchmaking services and discuss how working with a professional matchmaker might be more effective in finding true love than any dating app algorithm.
Our guests are Liesel Sharabi, Assistant Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Director of the Relationships & Technology Lab at Arizona State University, and author of the HDSR article, Finding Love on a First Data: Matching Algorithms in Online Dating; and Talia Goldstein, President and Founder of Three Day Rule Matchmaking, an exclusive matchmaking company for busy professionals.
Episode 12. Data Science for Criminal Justice: Can We Avoid Black Box Algorithms for High-Stake Decisions? (January 25, 2022)
In this episode we examine the use of secret or black box algorithms for high-stake decisions, particularly in the criminal justice system. How do they factor in the decisions made every day by state and federal courts concerning bail, sentencing and parole? Are black box algorithms fair and unbiased? Do they help counteract or support societal prejudices? Is their use in criminal justice cases serving the public’s best interest?
We discuss these issues and more with two leading experts on the topic: Cynthia Rudin, Professor of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Statistical Science, Mathematics, and Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Director of the Interpretable Machine Learning Lab at Duke University and author of The Age of Secrecy and Unfairness in Recidivism Prediction for HDSR and Brandon Garrett, Professor of Law, Founder of the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke University and author of Justice in Forensic Algorithms for HDSR.
Episode 11. Can Data Science Help the Wine Industry (and me, to pick up a good bottle)?(December 16, 2021)
‘Tis the season to be merry and bright, and doesn’t a glass of wine go a long way to help ring in the festivities? We think so because this month's episode of the HDSR Podcast is devoted to the wine industry—from production to consumption. We discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the global supply chain, the idiosyncrasies of local government regulations, the effects climate change is having on traditional and emerging grape growing regions, how winemakers use data analysis, and most important, what are the key data points that every potential wine connoisseur should know in order to impress their families and friends at holiday gatherings this season.
Our guests are Orley Ashenfelter, the Joseph Douglas Green 1895 Professor of Economics at Princeton University and President of the American Association of Wine Economists and Don St Pierre, the Executive Chairman of Vinfolio, the U.S.’s leading fine wine marketplace, investment advisor, and professional wine storage facility.
Episode 10. Government Data: How Do They Serve Us but Also Concern Us (November 19, 2021)
On this month’s episode we examine how the U.S. government collects data to serve the public and how to ensure such a process does not hurt the people it aims to serve. We discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of this topic including privacy issues, the 2020 U.S. Census, how well-intended methods may adversely affect minority populations, and why it’s important for local communities to collect and report their own data. We also ask how transparent should the federal government be about its data collection and who should the public be most worried about when it comes to data privacy?
Our guests are Tim Persons, Chief Scientist for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Managing Director of its Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team and Julia Lane, New York University professor and co-founder of the Coleridge Initiative, a not-for-profit organization that is working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Julia is also the author of numerous books including Democratizing our Data: A Manifesto by the MIT Press.
Episode 9. Pollsters: The Discoverers and Guardians of Public Opinion (October 20, 2021)
This month’s episode focuses on the art and science of measuring public opinion. We discuss the challenges pollsters face when trying to predict how public opinion may change over time, review both the innovative and time-tested methods of polling and discover which recent polls have revealed the most surprising data.
Our guests are Kristen Soltis Anderson, pollster, speaker, commentator, author and co-founder of Echelon Insights, an opinion research and analytics firm; and Cliff Young, President of US Public Affairs at Ipsos, Adjunct Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and a frequent writer, analyst, and commentator on elections, electoral polling, and public opinion.
Episode 8. The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Will It Be the Terminator or the Jetsons? (September 16, 2021)
On this episode we explore all things AI with our guests Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer, hosts of the popular AI Today podcast and principal analysts and managing partners of Cognilytica, an AI research and advisory firm.
With Kathleen and Ron, we discuss the spread of AI in our lives, from autonomous vehicles to Taco Bell’s new automatic drive thru lanes. But has too much been promised and not delivered? Are we on the brink of an AI winter, where development and investment cool down? We look at all the possibilities of how our future will change with AI.
Episode 7.Healthcare Data: Who Takes Care of It and How Healthy Is It? (August 20, 2021)
Over 30% of the world’s data is comprised of healthcare data with the U.S. government arguably collecting the largest portion. On this month’s episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, we explore all things healthcare data with the help of two experts who provide their perspectives from the public and private sectors.
Our guests are Justin Fanelli, Chief Architect of Defense Medical Intelligence Data and the Technical Director at the Naval Information Warfare Center and Michelle Holko, Principal Architect Public Sector Cloud for Healthcare and Life Sciences at Google.
Episode 6. Mental Health Challenges: How Can Data Science Help? (July 16, 2021)
This month’s episode focuses on the increasing role of data science in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. It explores how statistical tools like adaptive testing are being successfully deployed to rapidly identify people with high levels of depression, anxiety or suicide risk. It also examines how the data science community could further improve its efforts to support mental health research and policymaking. Our guests are Margarita Alegria, Chief of the Disparities Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Professor, Harvard Medical School and Robert Gibbons, Professor of Biostatistics, Departments of Medicine, Public Health and Psychiatry, University of Chicago.
On this episode, we dig into the world of disinformation and misinformation and the difference between them. Is the weaponization of both a new phenomenon or is history repeating itself? How has social media and the democratized access to published information contributed to today’s sensationalized headlines? Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert explore these questions and more with the help of guests Scott Tranter, CEO and founder of Øptimus Analytics and Hany Farid, Professor at the University of California, Berkeley with a joint appointment in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and the School of Information.
Episode 4. The Art and Value of Machine Learning in Valuing Art: Hype or Hope? (May 20, 2021)
What is the value of art? Is it in the eye of the beholder or can data analytics tools place a monetary value on beauty? Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert explore the use of data and technology in the art world with guests Jason Bailey, CEO and founder of Artnome andDan Cameron, renowned American art curator, writer, and educator.
Episode 3. Predicting (2021) Oscar Winners: How Crystal Is the Statistical Ball? (April 15, 2021)
What are the biggest predictors of an Oscar win? What are the pros and cons of using quantitative vs. qualitative data? Has the film industry’s increased use of streaming services impacted Oscar predictions? Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert investigate these questions and more by speaking with two renowned Oscar awards predictors: Boston Globe film critic and columnistTy Burr and Ben Zauzmer, author of Oscarmetrics: The Math Behind the Biggest Night in Hollywood.
Episode 2. Tracking the (Money) Balls: How Data Science Is Becoming a Game Changer (March 19, 2021)
Data science is huge in sports, and it's not just game stats anymore. Player and ball tracking data are changing the way major sports leagues play games. We dive into how these data are analyzed and what the results mean to coaches and teams with Kirk Goldsberry, NBA analyst at ESPN and author of Sprawlball, and Brian Macdonald, Faculty in Sports Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University.
Xiao-Li and Liberty speak with relationship experts Drs. Julie and John Gottman from the Love Lab. Listen to find out how to insure your relationship lasts the test of time.
