Using Data for Good
A brief history of Data Fest and why it is important
By M Yeager
If you have been in the Coeur de Catherine the past few weeks, you have likely seen a light purple flyer on the event boards promoting something called Data Fest. What is Data Fest exactly?
Data Fest is an event sponsored by the Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics (MCDE) twice every spring semester where students from various disciplines come together and form groups to analyze data from a local community partner. Data Fest was borne out of a similar semester-long project in one of the courses that was taught by Dr. Kristine West, associate professor of economics. The first Data Fest was held online in 2021 during the pandemic and since then, it has been held in person.
Data and brainstorming analyses Credit: Rin Kilde
The move from a semester-long project to an event created a greater sense of fun for all involved. Those participating are put into groups and there is often a lot of swag, such as shirts, stickers and mugs. The collaborative energy also breeds a supportive environment. “It’s [data analysis] important work,” said Nayomi Her ‘24 (Economics and Public Policy). “The importance can be compared to that of an internship, but it is not as heavy because it is one night and you have the support of your peers and professors.” The collaborative environment also challenges the misconception that data work is solitary work, when in reality, it is often very team-oriented.
Team names and fun stickers! Credit: Rin Kilde
Each year, Data Fest partners with a community organization that is both interested in data work and has data that needs to be analyzed. Often these partners stem from established community partners with other courses, with partners through Community Work and Learning or talking with other economists. Last year, the community partner was the Ramsey County Office of Economic Development, and students analyzed data surrounding upward mobility. The community partner this year is the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD), which is a research and policy institute that focuses on Indigenous economic development in the United States and uses the data to inform public policy. The data that students at Data Fest are analyzing is primarily data sets done by the Federal Reserve that are flawed and the Current Population Survey data that focuses on labor. Using this data, students will investigate the disparities evident for Indigenous workers.
The beauty of Data Fest is that while it is only a four-hour evening event, the work that is done shows “how data can be used for good, and in real life situations,” West said. The partnerships with community organizations offer the opportunity for students to not only experience what it is like to work for similar organizations with similar work, but also offer the opportunity to be able to showcase their findings which will soon inform community and public policy. Students who have previously participated in Data Fest have gone on to continue the work that they started during the event through Summer Scholars and even larger projects. “The mentorship opportunities that have grown out of Data Fest have been really encouraging,” West said.
Data Fest, ripe with students and Girl Scout cookies Credit: Rin Kilde
Another intriguing aspect of Data Fest is the fact that it is interdisciplinary and inclusive. This is something that it carries from MCDE and challenges the idea that data analysis work is exclusive and not easy to do. The programs that are used at Data Fest are R and Stata, which are fairly easy to figure out and those already familiar with the programs are more than happy to assist those who are not. Many majors and fields of study are represented through the students who participate in Data Fest, such as Economics, Public Policy, International Studies, Math and Data Sciences, Women in International Development and Public Health. Some courses, such as Theory to Action and Quantitative Impact Evaluation, and some programs, such as Cross-Generational Female Economist Mentorship, also participate.
Skill development is also an important part of Data Fest. Students who have participated in Data Fest, such as Karri Drain ‘23 (Economics and International Business) and Joy Moua ‘23 (Economics and International Business) have said that skill building is one of the things they look forward to during the event. “I’m looking forward to building on my skill set,” Moua said. Drain feels similarly: “I’m ready to be with my friends, get frustrated with the data and eventually figure it out together.”
The first Data Fest of the semester took place on Friday, Feb. 24, but there is still an opportunity to participate in the next Data Fest on Friday, May 5, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fontbonne.
Want more information about Data Fest, MCDE, or CICD?
CICD: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/indiancountry
Data Fest and MCDE: www.stkate.edu/mcde
