In this episode, we explore data governance in the humanitarian sector. Our guests are Massimo Marelli, Head of the Data Protection Office at the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Ana Beduschi, a Professor of Law and Strategic Lead on the Fair and Inclusive Society at the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) at the University of Exeter. The conversation is led by Aaron Martin Assistant Professor of Data Science here at UVA.

Together, they discuss topics from the book Data Protection in Humanitarian Action: Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World. Of note, they share insights on how data regulation is shaping privacy and security for vulnerable communities and the role of international frameworks in addressing these challenges.

• (00:00:03) - UVA Data Points: Data Governance in the humanitarian sector
• (00:00:49) - The Impact of Data Protection in Humanitarian Action
• (00:02:26) - The Digital Future of the Humanitarian Sector
• (00:04:56) - Data Protection in the Humanitarian World
• (00:09:54) - The role of data in the humanitarian sector
• (00:12:57) - Immunity in the Data Protection Sphere
• (00:16:07) - The Relationship between Data and Humanitarianism
• (00:19:53) - Data Protection for the Humanitarian Sector
• (00:24:59) - The Future of Data Protection in the humanitarian sector
• (00:29:34) - Regional engagement in data protection law
• (00:31:45) - Regional networks in the Digital world
• (00:36:08) - The Future of Data Protection
• (00:39:24) - On data protection in humanitarian programming

Here we explore the intersections of data, art, and storytelling. Our guest, Nathalie Miebach, is an internationally-recognized data artist and the School of Data Science’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence.

Using materials like reed and paper, she transforms complex datasets into woven sculptures and musical scores, inviting us to view and even hear data in new ways. Joining her is Alex Gates, assistant professor of data science at the University of Virginia research examines how patterns of connection shape creativity, innovation, and discovery.

Together, they discuss what happens when data meets art.

• (00:00:01) - Data Points: When Art Meets Science
• (00:00:46) - Ian and Nicole: Introduction
• (00:06:18) - How Stories Get Made
• (00:09:59) - Basket Weaving Visualizing Data
• (00:20:33) - Wonders of the World
• (00:25:47) - Data and Artist Residency
• (00:27:50) - Breaking Habits in Creativity
• (00:30:06) - What is Data Science: Craftsmanship?
• (00:34:50) - How Art Affects Our Understanding of Data

In this episode, we explore how data science is helping researchers simulate and understand some of the most extreme physical events on Earth, from floods in Texas to hypersonic flight. Our guests are Stephen Baek, a leading expert in geometric deep learning and associate professor of data science at the University of Virginia, and Jack Beerman, a Ph.D. student whose work is already shaping real-world applications.

Together, they discuss how AI is transforming fields like weather forecasting, materials design, sports performance, and military innovation—and why graduate researchers like Jack are essential to moving this work forward.