All are welcome to a seminar titled “Data Science Exploration: Applications in Spatial Data,” featuring Susanna Lange, Ph.D., of the University of Chicago and DataScience Institute. The talk will be held from 3:30–4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Pritzker Science Center, room 111.

Abstract

Data science serves not only as a tool for exploration and investigation but also as a powerful way to help address societal issues. In this talk, we explore two research projects that focus on spatial data science. The first project examines inequities in access to the Chicago Public Libraries, a community hub that provides resources beyond books to the public. We evaluate the accessibility of library resources by mapping average travel times to library branches and analyzing how these travel times correlate with various demographic variables. The second project focuses on predicting buoy trajectories on lost ocean gear. We discuss a spatial approach to detect anomalies in buoy readings in addition to a prediction framework. Both projects illustrate how spatial data science highlights the ability of data analysis to help the community and environment. This work was carried out with the support of undergraduate researchers.​