Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice (Data for Justice)

This programme will help you develop a range of skills to strengthen your potential to address injustices that harm human and non-human populations and the environment.

It will build your ability to explore, manage, analyse, interpret, visualise, and communicate data to a range of audiences, from lay publics to academics and policymakers.

The programme is ideal for:

professionals seeking to enhance their data literacy and science communication skills, who currently work in the public or private sector on issues of social justice or environmental degradation
those looking to move into a career in social justice or environmental advocacy, policy, or education
recent graduates seeking additional training before entering or re-entering the workforce.

Key information

Scholarships of up to £6,000 towards the course fees are available to successful students.
Qualifications available include the PgCert (up to two years), PgDip (lasting one to three years), or MSc (lasting one to three years).
Start in January or September 2024.
Five-week modules with asynchronous content allow maximum flexibility to fit into your current schedule.
Optional one or two-week Data for Justice summer residential stay at the University of St Andrews.
An adaptive learning approach lets you focus on either social or environmental data, or both.

Video transcript

>> Those who work or aspire to work in non-governmental organizations and policy institutes and even in governments often feel like with the right training they can make more of an impact on social and environmental justice issues.

Our Data for Justice postgraduate program trains you in the three key areas that you
need for success.

First, we cover the conceptual foundations.

What does it even mean to work for social and environmental justice?

Second, data literacy and spatial data science.

How do we create compelling evidence from data?

Finally, science communication and data visualization.

How do we communicate that evidence in a clear, scientifically sound, and engaging way?

>> But which data sources can we trust?

And how do we establish the quality of data that's already been collected?

And once we feel confident in the quality of our data, how do we summarise patterns in these data in ways that they are not just visually appealing but also helps us to achieve the desired impacts?

There are lots of hands-on exercises that can help our students develop a mastery of
both theoretical and practical application of data to achieve social and environmental
justice.

In addition, these practical exercises can form part of a great collection for our students and can uniquely position them to be more impactful for any data-related position on the job market.

>> But aside from just communicating the science, we want to share the benefits with the people in our communities.

We'll be learning how to generate mutual benefit from our justice-led research by exploring some of the theories and practices of public engagement.

>> I explore how modern anthropogenic activities modify the intensity, likelihood, and nature of extreme weather and climate events and their impacts along multiple human dimensions of our civilization.

For example, I collaborate with the World Bank on how the extreme events impact development projects around the world.

Such a multidisciplinary and multisectoral activities benefit our understanding of the balances between environmental benefits and burdens.

You will be in position to study such key elements of environmental justice in our Program on Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice.

>> I spent a lot of time developing methods to understand the spatiotemporal distribution of fishing activities.

This is important to protect the livelihoods and food security of millions of people around the world.

I can't wait to start the Masters to show you what amazing developments there have been in the field of spatial data science and how we can use these techniques to secure a more just world.

>> Regardless of your background training, we have opportunities to increase your skills.

So for example, if you don't have training in statistics, we provide introductory statistics modules that take you from the very beginning.

At the same time, if you have a background in statistics, you can go straight into an advanced quantitative methods course, or for example, spatial data science.

We'll also help you enhance your science communication skills through data visualization as well.

One of the elements that we're super excited about is offering a one to two week residential component here in St Andrews.

This is an optional component of the module, but we're really excited about getting people together to work with other justice scholars on the program, as well as local PhD students and faculty and practitioners from around the area.

You can find out more about the program, the modules we're offering, and the faculty who will be leading the program if you visit the St Andrews website.

We look forward to seeing you online.

Career-enhancing skills you will gain

A conceptual foundation for understanding how quantitative datasets are used or abused
Basic data literacy and introductory statistics, if you are a beginner
Advanced quantitative methods, including spatial data science, if you already have a quantitative foundation
A range of practical science communications skills, such as writing policy briefs and producing visuals, to help you become a skilled and impactful science communicator
Strategies for engaging different audiences, including publics, stakeholders, and policymakers, to increase your impact potential

Bog cotton - white tufted flower with a green stem — Scottish bog cotton: “Now that we understand more about the consequences of damaging these fragile ecosystems, many peatlands across Scotland are being managed to conserve and restore their distinctive habitats and to avoid further climate change” (Roucoux et al, 2021)

How you will be taught

Video lectures and workshops, subject-focused podcasts, a platform for sharing your coursework for peer and staff feedback, and an adaptive learning platform that meets you where you are and lets you progress at your own pace
Optional question and answer sessions, office hours, and a one to two-week residential stay at the University of St Andrews in the summer
All the software and resources you need will be open-access.
Courses will be delivered using a lightboard and screen recorder for learning to code, while there will be a professional camera and microphone set-up for lectures, recorded interviews, panel sessions, and podcasts.
MSc students will be encouraged to complete an applied research project for their dissertation, developed in collaboration with an institution or organisation, using real data on an actual research question that can benefit their current or future place of employment.

Dr Emmanuel Olamijuwon stands smiling behind a see-through board, on which he has written 'Population Health', 'Social Inequalities', 'Technology Use', 'Sub-Sahara Africa' in purple and pink ink — Dr Emmanuel Olamijuwon, member of the Data for Justice team and the Population and Health Research Group, portraying some of his research interests (population health, social inequalities, technology use, especially in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa) to demonstrate the new lightboard that will be used for lecture delivery.

Learning outcomes

Independent, flexible, and critical thinking
Ability to summarise complex material
A critical appreciation of the epistemological and theoretical foundations of quantitative research design, methodology, techniques, and data ethics
Ability to critically evaluate claims based on quantitative research in the social or environmental sciences
Ability to grasp and communicate material drawn from a broad range of academic disciplines
Ability to convey knowledge effectively within a community of social or environmental scientists, various publics, and other stakeholders through oral presentations, written text, and graphics

Careers

The programme will help learners to prepare for careers in third sector or non-governmental organisations, policy, and government.

Graduates will leave with in-demand skills across the theoretical and practical aspects of analysing, interpreting, and presenting quantitative data, using clear, concise language and accessible visuals.

How St Andrews can help advance your career