What’s This About?

The Applied Data Skills project aims to rapidly increase access for learners to the diverse applications of data skills. We’ll start by pulling together core material that combines a data science and design thinking approach, but more importantly we’re building the platform around collaboration between all of us here — sharing and developing new skills by using data sets that represent real organisational, societal and environmental challenges.

We’ve seen that people with broad skills around data and its applications can transform businesses, the work of charities and the impact of academic research. We believe that this approach is essential for tackling even more critical, complex problems.

Understanding the organisational needs around any data set is part of what we’ll be focusing on, as part of linking design thinking into how to solve data problems. Including a broader context in the platform fosters a more collaborative approach to both learning and more real-world project delivery.

Ultimately we’re aiming to create a platform that moves beyond individual learning to a greater focus on collective intelligence, skills networks, access to real projects and responsiveness to need. We encourage everyone to bring their insights as well as questions to the group. If you have a problem set you would like help with, or you would like to share, by all means let us know!

We’re creating a test platform on Slack. If you want to be a part of the project then contact us through this Publication or tweet us. If you’re already on Slack with us then please let us know how we can provide the resources you need to learn.

Applied Data Skills is supported by a grant from the Ufi Charitable Trust. Our discovery phase is exploring the intersection of data and design skills, with a specific focus on how enhanced skills and capacity might help tackle organisational, societal, economic and environmental challenges.