Each semester, the Massive Data Institute (MDI) at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University sponsors technical data processing and analysis workshops to provide Georgetown University faculty, students, and staff the opportunity to be exposed to new methods, programming paradigms, and technologies. Led by MDI’s postdoctoral fellows, each workshop is held over two days to deep-dive into a topic.
Learn more and register for one of the five Spring 2025 MDI Workshops below (please note there is a separate registration for each workshop; you can join one or all of them). To learn more about the MDI Fellows who will be leading this semester’s workshops, please visit: https://mdi.georgetown.edu/mdi-fellows/
For more information on MDI events, check out our events calendar . Any questions, please reach out to mdiresearch@georgetown.edu.
January 27-28, 2025: Designing Ethical, Human-Centered Products from Socio-Technical Research with Sejin Paik, Ph.D.
When: Monday, January 27 and Tuesday January 28, 4:00-5:30pm both days
Location: Capitol Campus at 125 E Street, Conference Room 440
Register: https://bit.ly/MDIWorkshopJan2025
Abstract: Imagine you’ve conducted a socio-technical research project and uncovered a critical gap—such as the challenge faced by local newsrooms in the U.S. to better engage their communities. Your research highlights a major barrier: the lack of access to underserved audience data. You identify the need for a social media analytics dashboard tailored to journalistic metrics—a solution missing in the current market. This workshop is designed to help you translate such research insights and scenarios into impactful digital products. Grounded in human-centered design principles, the sessions will guide you in identifying key user needs, converting research findings into actionable product features, and designing practical solutions that address societal challenges while navigating real-world constraints and ethical considerations. By the end of the session, you will gain an introduction to human-centered design methodologies and frameworks, equipping you with the tools to start turning research into real-world impact and creating human-centered products that make a difference.
February 10-11, 2025: One Plus One Equals Three: Combining Multiple Data Sources for Richer Insights with Helge Marahrens, Ph.D.
When: Monday, February 10 and Tuesday February 11, 2025, 4:00-5:30pm both days
Location: Capitol Campus at 125 E Street
Register: https://bit.ly/MDIWorkshopFeb102025
Abstract: This hands-on workshop is designed for social scientists, data analysts, and researchers who are interested in combining diverse data types to uncover deeper insights into complex social phenomena. We will explore practical techniques and tools for integrating data such as survey data and social media streams (e.g., Twitter) or geographic and network data. The workshop aims to build both technical skills and theoretical understanding of the challenges and opportunities in working with multimodal datasets.
February 24-25, 2025: Understanding Multimodality through its Building Blocks with Rupayan Mallick, Ph.D.
Date: Monday, February 24 and Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 4:00-5:30pm both days
Location: Hilltop Campus
Register: https://bit.ly/MDIWorkshopFeb242025
Abstract: This workshop will cover the fundamental understanding of the multimodal models used in the current AI scenario. This workshop is focused on aiming at the models that leverage fundamental deep learning methods to understand the correlation between different modalities. This workshop further deep dive into the use of these building blocks to construct larger multimodal generative models such as LLaVa. A basic understanding of Python is expected. Familiarity with deep learning will be helpful, but is not required.
March 24-25, 2025: Interactive Multi-Participant Behavioral Experiments with Brandon Waldon, Ph.D.
When: Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 4:00-5:30pm both days
Location: Hilltop Campus
Register: https://bit.ly/MDIWorkshopMar2025
Abstract: Online behavioral experiments have revolutionized social science research, enabling unprecedented scale and flexibility in studying human interaction and decision-making. This workshop introduces attendees to Empirica, an open-source platform for developing behavioral experiments involving multiple participants. Workshop attendees will gain hands-on experience with the Empirica platform and have the opportunity to develop their own pilot study. The workshop covers core concepts including participant matching, handling real-time interactions, data collection, and experiment configuration. No prior experience with Empirica is required, though basic familiarity with JavaScript is highly recommended.
*Postponed to Fall 2025* The Role of Qualitative Data in Sociotechnical Research with Lucy Qin, Ph.D.
Please note that this workshop has been postponed to Fall 2025.
Abstract: Data in computing research often refers to quantitative data but often research questions arise that necessitate a more in-depth understanding of how end-users interact with technology and the reasons behind their behaviors. Qualitative research methods are needed to answer these questions. In this workshop, we will explore the role of qualitative research in sociotechnical research, learn about methods for qualitative data collection (e.g., interview studies, focus groups), and discuss ethical considerations when conducting research with human subjects. We will then practice basic skills in conducting semi-structured interviews as a means of exposure to this research method.
Any questions, please reach out to mdiresearch@georgetown.edu
About the Massive Data Institute (MDI): At Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, the Massive Data Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute that connects experts across computer science, data science, public health, public policy, and social science to tackle societal scale issues and impact public policy in a way that improves people’s lives through responsible evidence-based research. For more information on MDI, please visit https://mdi.georgetown.edu/ To learn about additional upcoming MDI workshops and events, please visit: https://mdi.georgetown.edu/events/