The Responsible Data Science (RDS) Student Scholars Program at the University of Pittsburgh is bringing together an interdisciplinary group of undergraduates to explore how data and technology can be harnessed responsibly for the benefit of society.
This year-long extracurricular initiative, organized by the Responsible Data Science Initiative (RDS@Pitt), the Sara Fine Institute, and the Research, Ethics and Society Initiative, invites students to collaboratively engage with pressing issues in data science through a focus on ethics, fairness, and social impact.
Students from a diverse range of fields, including humanities, computer science, economics, political science, and environmental studies, will explore real-world case studies of data use and develop frameworks to evaluate them through the lens of responsibility. By applying critical thinking skills and working directly with stakeholders at Pitt and within regional organizations, participants will gain practical experience addressing the ethical dimensions of technology.
Throughout the academic year, these RDS Student Scholars will participate in nine work sessions, engage in light readings, and attend recommended events on responsible data science. As part of a team project, students will develop a framework focused on an area of their choosing—such as the University’s use of student data, generative AI in research, or privacy issues in healthcare. They will present their findings at Data Science Day 2025 (DSD'25), sharing their insights with a larger audience through posters or panel discussions.
Meet the RDS Student Scholars
- Abigail Zimmerman, Fourth-Year + Student, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Major: Digital Narrative & Interactive Design (Info Sci Minor)
- Abraham Eldo, Fourth-Year + Student, School of Computing and Information & Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Majors: Neuroscience, Computer Science
- Ariana Villa, Third-Year Student, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Majors: Economics, International Studies Co-major
- Carter Smith, Fourth-Year + Student, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Major: Urban Planning and Geographic Analysis
- Devon Smith, Third-Year Student, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Major: Computational Social Science
- Emily Durning, Third-Year Student, School of Computing and Information, Major: Data Science
- Ifeoluwa Olusoga, Second-Year Student, School of Computing and Information, Majors: Computer Science and Data Science
- Jiri Palayekar, Fourth-Year + Student, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences & School of Computing and Information, Majors: Information Science, Psychology
- Juliet Hull, Fourth-Year + Student, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Majors: Political Science, Law, Criminal Justice & Society
- Kennedy Aderogba, First-Year Student, College of Business Administration, Major: College of Business Administration
- Krit Ravichander, Fourth-Year + Student, University of Pittsburgh, Majors: Computer Science, Psychology
- Lauren Rubovitz, Third-Year Student, Dietrich Arts and Sciences, Major: Politics-Philosophy
- Lena Latef, Second-Year Student, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Majors: Economics, Political Science
- Pip Mostern, Fourth-Year + Student, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Majors: Environmental Studies, Anthropology (Certificate in GIS)
- Sapna Chokshi, Third-Year Student, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Major: Health Informatics
- Zhuoran Wang, Third-Year Student, School of Computing and Information, Major: Computer Science
Join Us in Shaping Responsible Data Science
If you are interested in staying informed about RDS@Pitt and helping to shape the future of responsible data science, please register to become a student member of RDS@Pitt by emailing us at responsibledatascience@pitt.edu.
For more information about the program and other RDS@Pitt initiatives, visit the RDS@Pitt website. We are excited to see these students shape the future of responsible data science!