The Task Force to Envision Data Science at Boston University was launched in July 2018 to help develop a vision that further advances BU’s capabilities as a research and education leader in this rapidly evolving field.
Specifically, the Task Force was asked to draft a set of recommendations that: leverage and build on BU’s existing strengths and recent investments in data science; promote appropriate differentiation and prevent needless duplication or competition among programs; and optimize faculty collaboration and the seamless integration of data science programs across disciplines, schools, and colleges.
The Task Force worked collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders across the University and submitted its final report to the President and University Provost in April 2019. We are pleased to share the Task Force’s report and recommendations with you.
Co-Chairs
Azer Bestavros
Director, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering; and Professor of Computer Science, College of Arts & Sciences
Daniel L. Kleinman
Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs; and Professor of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences
Members
Margrit Betke
Professor of Computer Science, College of Arts & Sciences
Josée Dupuis
Professor and Chair of Biostatistics, School of Public Health
Jacob Groshek
Associate Professor of Emerging Media Studies, College of Communication
Evan Johnson
Associate Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine; and Associate Professor of Biostatistics, School of Public Health
Tasso Kaper
Professor and Chair of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Arts & Sciences
Clem Karl
Professor and Chair of Electrical & Computer Engineering; and Professor of Systems Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Stan Sclaroff
Dean ad interim; and Professor of Computer Science, College of Arts & Sciences
Marshall Van Alstyne
Questrom Professor in Management; and Professor and Chair of Information Systems, Questrom School of Business
Tanya Zlateva
Dean; and Professor of the Practice of Computer Science and Education, Metropolitan College
Staff
Courtney Mansfield
Administrative Coordinator, Office of the Provost
Task Force’s Charge
The charge of the Task Force to Envision Data Science at Boston University:
- Ascertain what undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational programs with connections to or relevance for data science at BU currently exist or are under development and consider what kinds of curricular leveraging and integration might be possible and what kinds of new programs should be developed.
- Ascertain what research-related experiential learning programs with connections to or relevance for data science at BU currently exist or are under development and consider how to leverage these programs to differentiate current or future data science educational initiatives, including degree programs and undergraduate majors, by offering apprenticeships and internships.
- Ascertain what organizational structure, befitting the fast-paced evolution of data science and its rapid integration into various disciplines, will serve BU’s objectives of optimizing faculty collaboration, catalyzing programmatic integration across our schools and colleges, and projecting a cohesive view of data science research and education to prospective students and faculty as well as to corporate sponsors and funding agencies.