On June 24, the O'Brien Centre for Science at UCD welcomed a diverse delegation for the 2024 Women in Data Science (WiDS) Dublin regional conference. The event brought together speakers and attendees from a broad spectrum of data science fields and careers to explore the theme 'Data for All: Inclusive data science and analytics.'
Moderated by tech podcaster and former editor of Silicon Republic Elaine Burke, the conference focused strongly on inclusivity in data science and the importance of accessibility in technology. A central theme that resonated throughout the day was the significance of visibility, both in terms of the presence of women in the data science field and the need for data practitioners to understand and meet the needs of diverse user groups.
The WiDS organisation, which began at Stanford University, has grown into a global community dedicated to transforming the field of data science. Their goal, known as 30x30, aims to achieve 30% representation of women across all levels in data science education, innovation, and leadership by 2030.
The UCD conference included presentations and discussions led by an impressive roster of speakers from both industry and academia. Notable contributors included Professor Gerardine Doyle, Dr Aviva Cohen, Dr Mary Coghlan, Dr Kata Szita, Emma Redmond, Jennifer Loftus, Duygu Kabakci, Susan Hayes Culleton, Suzanne Little, Michelle Aw, Amy Hassett, Veronica Breene, Kate O'Meara, Noelle Doody, Aoife D'Arcy, Iman Saleh, and Jenny McCarthy. Speakers covered a range of topics from cutting-edge research in data science to practical applications and career development.
A panel on data accessibility and the technology surrounding data was particularly well-received, highlighting the critical importance of making data tools and insights accessible to a broader audience. This aligns with the WiDS mission not only to elevate women in the field but also to ensure that data science benefits all segments of society.
A highlight of the event was the final lab session conducted by Aarthi Kumar, which focused on the practical application of OpenAI in enterprise scenarios. This session was both practical and exciting, providing attendees with hands-on experience and valuable insights into how advanced GenAI tools can be leveraged in business contexts.
The conference was generously sponsored by UCD Research, UCD Institute for Discovery, IBM, Reitigh, Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, and Acorn Life, reflecting strong institutional and corporate support for the advancement of women in data science.