Gathering of the data warriors
Datafest will focus on how the industry can inspire improvements
Data science is having an impact on almost all areas of our lives – from oil and gas to healthcare – and the second annual Datafest will provide the inspiration and tools to benefit anyone who can see its potential.
Scotland’s “data warriors”, or people who are dedicated to generating significant value from data, will be the focus of Datafest18.
Its events will showcase the nation’s leading role in data innovation on the international stage.
The week-long festival from 19 to 23 March is run by the Data Lab, which is supported by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
It is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates including industry leaders, practitioners and students.
“We have large assets across industry, academia and public sector here and we are probably a good scale of population in that we can do things in a very co-ordinated and high-impact way,” says Brian Hills, head of data at the Data Lab.
More than 50 events will be held across Scotland and they will support the theme of “data warriors for good”.
“You might have data and you might have technical people, but those in isolation do not necessarily equal success,” says Hills.
“We are focusing on people in the community and this concept of data warriors, meaning people who can understand where data might be used to improve their business or public service.”
That will be done through four key elements: a two-day Data Summit, Data Talent Scotland, an executive dinner and fringe events.
The Data Summit’s sessions will offer delegates a chance to learn from those who have succeeded and failed with data.
“We invite a number of international speakers to talk about the use of data around the world,” says Hills.
“It is to inspire our delegates and show them ways in which they can use data in their organisation.”
Leading the programme at this year’s conference is Cathy O’neil, author of Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy.
She will be joined by, among others, Dr Kirk Borne, an astrophysicist and principal data scientist at global technology and consulting firm Booz Allen International, and Stefaan Verhulst, co-founder and chief research and development officer at the Governance Lab in New York.
Speakers will discuss the social impacts of data innovation, as well as the future of data science and its ethical aspects.
Now in its third year, Data Talent Scotland is a networking event designed to bring together data science and engineering students with employers.
“That is really to allow companies to access new talent coming from our universities,” says Hills. “More than 300 students in masters and PHD courses who are looking for jobs come to that.
“Again, we are trying to keep that talent in the country because there is global competition for it.”
The idea for Datafest grew out of Data Talent Scotland in order to raise the awareness and impact of using data in Scotland.
“As part of our community building remit, we do meet-ups and organise executive away days or trips to conferences,” says Hills.
Organisers were keen to avoid another conference-only event and focused on Scotland’s data community.
“We go beyond the concept of a conference and open it up to the country in more of a festival format.
“This allows us to show how Scotland is speaking for itself and promoting itself,” he adds.
This year, there are double the number of events running compared with the first time.
“In partnership with Scottish Development International, we will attract a number of organisations from around the world and promote Scotland’s strengths,” says Hills.
Across the country, hackathons, debates and workshops will take place.
Event hosts include Aberdeen University, Strathclyde University, New College Lanarkshire, law firm Burness Paull, the National Health Service Scotland, Edinburgh Tourism Action Group and Civtech, the Scottish Government organisation which harnesses new technologies to drive daring and innovation in the public sector.
Last year’s Datafest attracted more than 2,500 participants from 64 countries and 450 organisations.
“It demonstrated to us the sheer appetite for doing data innovation in Scotland,” says Hills.
“It also showed us that people face a lot of different types of challenges in doing that and for us, that was really useful in helping us shape what we do going forward.” n