UCD to host Stanford Women in Data Science International Event Series
24th May 2023
“The 2023 Women in Data Science (WiDS) Dublin event provides an opportunity to learn about the latest data science advancements from industry leaders and cultivate connections with potential mentors and collaborators in the field,” said Jenny Corcoran, an MSc Business Analytics student at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Irish Ambassador for the Stanford Women in Data Science organisation.
“I hope that WiDS Dublin 2023 will inspire women to join or stay in data science and develop skills to implement creative, world changing decisions.”
According to the organisation’s website, WiDS is a worldwide actionable community, incubated at Stanford University, on a mission to change the field of data science across the globe by elevating and empowering women.
They strive to reach 30×30: 30% representation of women across all levels in data science education, innovation, and leadership by 2030.
The event will be held on June 9, 2023 and hosted by UCD Smurfit School. It will be the largest WiDS event ever held in Ireland and MC’d by Elaine Burke, the former editor of Silicon Republic and current host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.
Speakers include a dynamic and diverse group from across industry and academia including:
- Aarthi Kumar, Director of Data Science, EY
- Ana Le Chevillier, Clinical Research Manager – Data & AI, AI PREMie
- Alessandra Pascale, Senior Research Scientist and Manager, IBM Research
- Annunziata Esposito Amideo, Assistant Professor in Management Information Systems / Business Analytics, UCD College of Business
- Francesca Bonin, Research Staff Member, IBM Research
- Jenny McCarthy, Operations Analytics Manager, Meta
- Jenny Corcoran, WiDS Ambassador, MSc Business Analytics, UCD Smurfit
- Karen Church, VP of Research and Data Science, Intercom
- Laura Alvarez Jubete, Analytics Lead, Accenture
- Noelle Doody, Managing Director, Accenture Applied Intelligence
- Oonagh O’Shea, Managing Director, Accenture Applied Intelligence
- Rebecca Barford-Ryan, Sr. Technology Consultant, IBM
- Sorcha Healy, Principal Data Scientist, Microsoft
The event is co-sponsored by IBM and will be followed by IBM’s TechXchange.
“At IBM, we believe in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion, and supporting events like WiDS is a natural extension of our commitment,” said General Manager of IBM Ireland Deborah Threadgold.
“By championing women in data science, we are unlocking a wealth of untapped talent, perspectives, and innovative thinking that will shape the future of our industry and ultimately pave the way for a better world.”
Career Opportunities
“A career in analytics offers immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and influence,” explained Jenny who is a California native and alumna of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
“Analytics has revolutionized numerous industries by enabling data-driven decision-making. In healthcare, analytics can help identify patterns in patient data to improve diagnostics and personalized treatments. In finance, it can be used for fraud detection, risk assessment, and portfolio optimization. Retailers leverage analytics to understand customer preferences, optimize supply chains, and drive targeted marketing campaigns. Analytics also plays a significant role in transportation, energy, manufacturing, and many other sectors, making processes more efficient and enhancing decision-making capabilities.”
Jenny believes that the demand for professionals with a background in analytics will continue to grow across industries.
“From technology companies to healthcare organizations, financial institutions to government agencies, nearly every sector now recognizes the value of data and seeks skilled individuals who can analyse and interpret it.”
Particularly interested in how data analytics can be applied in the healthcare industry, Jenny looks forward to the day when patients can enter a doctor’s office and receive the best treatment based on their unique biology and medical history.
“Just as analytics revolutionized the way companies find, profit from, and retain customers, healthcare is experiencing its own revolutionary leap, and I plan to be part of it.”
“At UCD Smurfit School, I am advancing my analytical skills to help organizations make decisions with data-driven confidence. My goal is to be a problem formulator and solver who optimizes the performance of organizations and improves patient outcomes,” concluded Jenny.
The WiDS Dublin event is open to the public and tickets cost €10. Learn more and register here.
