News

Our understanding, planning, and response to wildfires benefit from connections with data and computing sciences, UC Berkeley researchers say. Recent developments in machine learning and simulations can help first responders detect fires earlier, predict fires’ paths and limit blazes quickly. Through collaborations with practitioners in other fields like microbiology and forest management, these tools are answering previously intractable questions about fires that can inform policy and practice. 

Delivery services may be able to overcome snow, rain, heat, and the gloom of night, but a new class of legged robots is not far behind. Artificial intelligence algorithms developed by a team of researchers from UC Berkeley, Facebook, and Carnegie Mellon University are equipping legged robots with an enhanced ability to adapt to and navigate unfamiliar terrain in real-time.

At the National Data Science Education Workshop hosted virtually June 14-18 by UC Berkeley, many sessions focused on getting data science classes into universities and getting students into those classes. But one discussion within the larger program looked at helping teachers introduce human contexts into class instruction, with an eye toward using data science to advance social justice. 

UC Berkeley’s Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) has named four new associate deans, selecting pioneering academic researchers with backgrounds from computing to sociology. The appointments include Charis Thompson as associate dean for campus partnerships; Catherine Ceniza Choy as associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice; Armando Fox as associate dean of online programs; and John DeNero, who was named associate dean of undergraduate studies in May. Kathy Yelick will be executive associate dean, transitioning from her previous role as CDSS’s associate dean for research.

UC Berkeley’s Data Science Undergraduate Studies program continues to cultivate the growth of data science education at colleges and universities across the country. Led by a dedicated adoption team at the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society, many institutions have been able to emulate and adapt Berkeley's pedagogy in establishing local programs.

When it comes to higher education, Californians have a lot of choices, with 10 University of California (UC) campuses, 23 California State Universities (CSU), and 116 community colleges. The reason why the state boasts the largest, most comprehensive higher education ecosystem in the nation is due in large part to the visionary California Master Plan for Higher Education. However, when it comes to meeting the workforce needs of the 21st-century economy powered by data and AI, there is no comprehensive strategy amongst the state’s public universities. 

Jennifer Tour Chayes, Associate Provost for the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) at the University of California, Berkeley, is the recipient of the 2020 ACM Distinguished Service Award for her effective leadership, mentorship, and dedication to diversity during her distinguished career of computer science research, teaching, and institution building. Presented by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s largest computing society, the award is presented on the basis of value and degree of services to the computing community.

Tiffany Lohwater, who served as the Chief Communications Officer and Director for the Office of Communications at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), joined CDSS as its new Chief Communications Officer on May 17.

Three gifts of $25 million each will reinforce UC Berkeley’s position as a leader in computing and data science research and education, and help create a visionary new home for the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS). Notably, two of the gifts are from current Berkeley faculty: professors Scott Shenker and Ion Stoica of the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society, and the College of Engineering. 

Each year, students at the 10 University of California campuses are invited to submit their ideas for transformative solutions to real-world problems to the Big Ideas contest. Sponsored by the Andrew and Virginia Rudd Family Foundation, Big Ideas provides the winning interdisciplinary teams with training, networks, recognition and funding. The program also allows campuses to make local awards to projects selected as finalists. When this year’s six Big Idea finalists were announced on May 27th, 2021, two data-driven projects involving Berkeley students were among them. Each project named as a finalist receives $5,000 to support the team’s work.