Data Science Ph.D. program: Tackling research with societal impact
Assistant Professor Sijia Qian is teaching a research design course that sparks “aha moments” regarding the connection between quality design and meaningful insights derived from data. “If you visualize this with a Venn diagram, data science is at the intersection of several fields. Skills and knowledge from computer science, mathematics, statistics, and the social sciences all contribute to the equation,” Qian explained. “Researchers confront complex questions that relate to individuals and society. No single discipline can address these challenges alone; a more integrated approach is essential. This highlights the unique strength of Charlotte’s School of Data Science.”
Reflecting this interdisciplinary vision, the University’s inaugural cohort of Ph.D. students in data science has varied backgrounds—some have years of industry experience, while others are transitioning directly from master’s programs. Each student explores how data science can address various societal concerns, including the innovation and application of data science and AI, integrated urban infrastructure and development, online fraud and misinformation, health and medical analytics, and public policy and social analytics. These efforts motivate doctoral students to discover impactful solutions using data science, underscoring Charlotte’s R1 research designation.