Across Grounds Engagement

The UVA School of Data Science (SDS) is committed to promoting a culture of belonging. In the fall of 2024, the School completed its first assessment of belonging among staff, faculty, and post-doctoral researchers.  As a school without walls, committed to research and transparency, we partnered with Ayana Younge, assistant professor at the UVA Darden School of Business, to combine the assessment of belonging within SDS with a research study to examine practices and behaviors that help to enhance belonging at work. 

The Community Data Fellowship supports a small cohort of UVA graduate students who together develop their skills in community-engaged data science. Under the guidance of The Center for the Democratization of Data and School of Data Science (SDS) staff and faculty, fellows work in small teams to apply this learning to a data project developed in collaboration with a local community partner. Over the course of the year, we explore the use of data to support well-being, learn from and with our community experts, and leverage the talent within the University for the benefit of our local community. 

This is an ongoing hybrid program is designed for current SDS students. Community partners include the UVA Equity Center, Network2Work@PVCC, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, and Piedmont CASA.

The UVA School of Data Science partners with local high school students to break down the barriers to understanding data science research. Through this initiative, students select a research paper authored by data science faculty and collaborate to "demystify" its findings for a broader audience. Using creative formats such as explanatory text, engaging videos, or other accessible mediums, students reframe complex data science concepts in ways that are relatable and understandable.

With support from the UVA Library, these projects are compiled into a digital resource, fostering widespread access and inspiring curiosity in data science across diverse communities. This program not only amplifies the voices of young learners but also underscores the power of data science in shaping our world. 

The UVA School of Data Science regularly invites guest speakers from diverse fields related to data science to have informal lunch conversations with first-year UVA students. These gatherings, organized by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, provide students an opportunity to share their backgrounds and academic interests while learning about the guest’s career path, fostering meaningful dialogue and inspiration. 

The Drivers of Opportunity, Access, and Relevancy (DOARs) to Data Science Cohort is a transformative program designed to foster a strong sense of community and belonging for students engaging with the School of Data Science (SDS) and the broader field of data science. Through a combination of mutual support, peer and near-peer mentorship, and direct engagement with SDS faculty, participants build meaningful connections that enhance their academic and professional journeys.

Central to the program are monthly dinners that bring together cohort members, faculty and staff, often joined by guest facilitators. These gatherings serve as spaces for rich discussion, typically centered on a specific article or contemporary topic in data science. By blending intellectual exploration with relationship-building, the DOARs Cohort empowers participants to navigate and thrive within the dynamic world of data science, fostering a diverse and inclusive network for future leaders in the field. 

First-year UVA students enrolled in prerequisite courses for the School of Data Science B.S. in Data Science are invited to attend First-Year Fun Night. This event creates a relaxed environment for peer-to-peer connection and networking in an informal atmosphere with food and games. The School of Data Science Admissions team provides additional information about the bachelor's program and a tour of the building. This is an ongoing program. 

The School of Data Science Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) provides tailored learning experiences for SDS faculty, staff, and postdocs, focusing on emerging topics and community interests. Recent workshops have addressed topics like neurodiversity in the workplace, accessibility in course design, and best practices for pronouncing names. Supported by a UVA Inclusive Excellence Grant, OEI and Assistant Professor of Data Science Peter Alonzi co-designed an inclusive syllabus template and resources for data science educators, involving students in every step of the process. The initiative culminated in a presentation at the annual UVA Innovations in Pedagogy Summit and continues to evolve through quarterly faculty workshops. This is an ongoing program.

The UVA School of Data Science launched a sci-fi/fantasy book club in spring 2025 open to all staff, faculty, and post-docs. The focus will be on discussing themes of belonging and othering in a book selected by the group, as well as connecting through engaging stories and worlds.

The UVA School of Data Science engages with UVA students of all majors to make data science accessible. This includes sponsorship of signature events such as Black Friday, Hoos First celebrations, LGBTQ Center Brunch, and Veteran and Military Student Support Center events, as well as co-sponsoring MLK Day programming. OEI also supports speaker series that explore the intersection of data science with critical social issues, such as a talk by the founder of Gayta Science and partnerships with the Karsh Institute of Democracy. 

The University of Virginia’s School of Data Science became the first school of higher education in the Commonwealth to achieve advocate certification by completing the VisitAble disability awareness training program.  

VisitAble, a Virginia-based company that works with a wide range of companies and organizations to promote greater awareness of disability issues and accessibility, confers certification when at least 80% of employees take and complete a comprehensive training module. The training also then must be included as part of the onboarding process for new staff going forward.