Insight: Using the data revolution to solve real world issues

The challenges of data

The data revolution brings up a number of challenges which can only be addressed through a concerted effort that requires new interdisciplinary approaches to data science, questioning conventional approaches and breaking away from strict disciplinary norms.

As Director of our Institute for Analytics and Data Science (IADS), Professor Fasli is working with people from very different perspectives to break down silos to solve real problems and harness the power of data and computational technologies for the benefit of all.

New analytics and machine learning techniques are needed which can make use of the abundance of both structured and unstructured data around us - such techniques could uncover nuanced relationships on a level and scale never before possible.

We need more elaborate and efficient predictive analytics, but also push the boundaries in prescriptive analytics – new powerful analytics and machine learning methods can lead to informed decisions at the individual level rather than make decisions based on averages.

Helping developing countries reap benefits of data revolution

By collaborating with other members of the global UNESCO Chair’s network, Professor Fasli is helping deliver UNESCO’s ambitious Sustainable Development Goals which include helping transitioning and developing countries to gain the data science and analytics skills they need for the twenty-first century.

Professor Fasli’s UNESCO role is addressing the acute data science skills shortage in developing and transitioning countries and to ensure the benefits of the data revolution reach all walks of society.

Working with collaborators and experts from around the world, seeking to improve the use of data, will have the knock-on effect of developing strong and self-reliant knowledge economies, which in turn will mean better services to improve  the lives of citizens. It’s an exciting and ambitious global project we are delighted Essex is playing a part in.

Unique perspective on data challenge

Professor Fasli has a background in artificial intelligence, machine learning and modelling complex systems.

Her theoretical grounding, transdisciplinary exposure and extensive experience in applying methods and techniques in real world problems, have given her a unique perspective in analytics and data science.

Her work extends from fundamental theory projects in understanding the evolution of institutions and societies co-inhabited by humans and artificial intelligent systems to more application-oriented projects in developing and applying modelling and machine learning techniques in a range of domains from marketing to insurance and providing medically-approved health advice to patients.