Harvard Data Science Review Podcast

In this episode we discuss the hotly debated topic of marijuana legalization. While 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana and the United States House of Representatives just passed a landmark marijuana legalization bill, cannabis is still an illegal substance under federal law in the United States.  With the help of two experts, we dive into the data behind the arguments for and against...

Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? It's a question as old as time. On this month’s episode of the HDSR podcast we find out everything there is to know about life beyond earth by talking to the foremost experts who seek data and evidence to investigate the question, “Are we alone?” Our guests are: Abraham (Avi) Loeb, the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, Direc...

Recommender systems have become omnipresent in our everyday lives exemplified by Netflix telling us what movies to watch, to Amazon suggesting which books we should read, to Instacart promoting specific brands we must buy. We are constantly being influenced and seduced by these algorithms and the humans who designed them. On this month’s HDSR podcast we examine the pros and cons of recommender sys...

Love is the topic of this Valentine’s Day episode of the HDSR Podcast. How do you find it and how do you make it last?  ​​Dating apps are a commonplace way for couples to meet and relationships to form, but do they help to make real love connections? With the help of two experts, we dive into the world of dating apps and discover how they can help and hinder your search for love. We also explore m...

In this episode we examine the use of secret or black box algorithms for high-stake decisions, particularly in the criminal justice system. How do they factor in the decisions made every day by state and federal courts concerning bail, sentencing, and parole? Are black box algorithms fair and unbiased? Do they help counteract or support societal prejudices?  Is their use in criminal justice cases...

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright, and doesn’t a glass of wine go a long way to help ring in the festivities?  We think so because this month's episode of the HDSR Podcast is devoted to the wine industry – from production to consumption.  We discuss the impact of COVID on the global supply chain, the idiosyncrasies of local government regulations, the effects climate change is having on tradi...

On this episode we examine how the U.S. government collects data to serve the public and how to ensure such a process does not hurt the people it aims to serve. We discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of this topic including privacy issues, the 2020 U.S. Census, how well-intended methods may adversely affect minority populations, and why it’s important for local communities to collect and...

This episode focuses on the art and science of measuring public opinion. We discuss the challenges pollsters face when trying to predict how public opinion may change over time, review both the innovative and time-tested methods of polling and discover which recent polls have revealed the most surprising data.  Our guests are Kristen Soltis Anderson, pollster, speaker, commentator, author and co-f...

On this episode we explore all things AI with our guests Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer, hosts of the popular AI Today podcast and principal analysts and managing partners of Cognilytica, an AI research and advisory firm. With Kathleen and Ron, we discuss the spread of AI in our lives, from autonomous vehicles to Taco Bell’s new automatic drive thru lanes. But has too much been promised and not...

Over 30% of the world’s data is comprised of healthcare data with the U.S. government arguably collecting the largest portion. On this month’s episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, we explore all things healthcare data with the help of two experts who provide their perspectives from the public and private sectors.  Our guests are Justin Fanelli, Chief Architect of Defense Medical Int...

This month’s episode focuses on the increasing role of data science in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.  It explores how statistical tools like adaptive testing are being successfully deployed to rapidly identify people with high levels of depression, anxiety or suicide risk. It also examines how the data science community could further improve its efforts to support mental...

In this episode, Harvard Data Science Review digs into the world of disinformation and misinformation, and the difference between them. Is the weaponization of both a new phenomenon or is history repeating itself? How has social media and the democratized access to published information contributed to today’s sensationalized headlines?  Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert explore these question...

What is the value of art? Is it in the eye of the beholder or can data analytics tools place a monetary value on beauty? Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert explore the use of data and technology in the art world with guests Jason Bailey, CEO and founder of Artnome and author of “ Can Machine Learning Predict the Price of Art at Auction? ” for HDSR and  Dan Cameron, American art curator, writer...

What are the biggest predictors of an Oscar win?  What are the pros and cons of using quantitative vs. qualitative data? Has the film industry’s increased use of streaming services impacted Oscar predictions? Hosts Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert investigate these questions and more by speaking with two renowned Oscar awards predictors: Boston Globe film critic and columnist Ty Burr and Ben Zauzm...

Data science is huge in sports, and it's not just game stats anymore.  Player and ball tracking data are changing the way major sports leagues play games. We dive into how these data are analyzed and what the results mean to coaches and teams with Kirk Goldsberry, NBA analyst at ESPN and author of Sprawlball, and Brian Macdonald, Faculty in Sports Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University, the autho...

Xiao-Li Meng and Liberty Vittert speak with relationship experts Drs. Julie and John Gottman. Listen to find out how to ensure your relationship lasts the test of time.