The Data Science & Society Lab (STS 3440) is a hands-on project-based course that tackles a contemporary problem of data science in society. In Fall 2021, the class is run by Prof. Malte Ziewitz and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00–2:15pm (in person).
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the course if full.
Students should submit an application, including a resume, a short statement of intent, and an (informal) transcript using the online form below. There will be no interview. This year, we are planning to recruit a group of 20 student researchers.
Project focus
The course takes on a different project every year. This fall, our goal is to develop interventions that will help people who feel mistreated by an automated scoring system. For this purpose, we will need a range of skills and life experiences on our team.
Time commitment
Expect a workload that is comparable to a three-credit seminar or independent study. Our regular meeting time is 1:00–2:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursday. Please note that this course will require a bit more flexibility than other classes. For example, you might have to accommodate the schedule of an interview partner or occasionally meet outside our scheduled time.
Eligibility
Any Cornell undergraduate student who is at least in their second year of study (i.e. sophomores, juniors, and seniors) can apply. In terms of backgrounds, we are looking for a mix of people with different (academic and non-academic) life experiences and skills. Engineering, history, computer science, STS, communication, ILR, or comparative literature—whatever your major, you will most likely have something to contribute.
Make clear in your application what that ‘something’ is, and how you will bring it to bear on the project. Applicants should be excited to work with people unlike themselves, be able to listen carefully, and to write collaboratively for a broader audience.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites. This is a 3000-level course, so you should be able to read challenging texts closely and critically and to write coherent arguments. Generally speaking, this is a course that people do not take for grades and credits only; student researchers usually care deeply about the topic and want to do something off the beaten path.
*requires Cornell account
Questions?
Just sign up for Professor Malte Ziewitz’s office hours. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!