In collaboration with the Scholar Strategy Network we are launching the California Election 2020 Data Challenge leveraging data science and public data to help us understand this year’s ballot initiatives. All members of the UC Davis community can participate; students and postdoctoral scholars are eligible to win up to $500 awards.
About the Challenge: Participants will build data literacy and visualization skills and contribute to informed civic dialogue by applying data science to questions about current ballot initiatives, which cover topics including health care, labor regulation, criminal justice, affirmative action, voting rights, affordable housing, consumer privacy, and tax reform. The outcomes of the Challenge are reproducible research projects culminating in a data visualization exploring an issue pertaining to a specific ballot initiative.
Join us for the Virtual Kickoff on September 14th (3-5pm) to
- Learn more about the challenge’s goals, timeline and available resources.
- Connect with potential teammates.
- Sign up to talk with over 20 domain experts and technical mentors from across the university.
Register now for the Challenge Kickoff!
And, save the date for the challenge’s finale Webinar on October 21st (5-7pm) where finalists will present their projects along with talks by Mindy Romero (founder and director of the Sacramento-based Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), Jesse Salinas (assessor/clerk-recorder and chief election official for Yolo County), and UC Davis Vice Provost for Digital Scholarship and University Librarian MacKenzie Smith.
The challenge website provides more information about the challenge, how to get started, and team registration links. Join the conversation with #CAElectionDataChallenge and follow us at @UCDavisDataSci.
