Dear Tim, we are happy to welcome you as a new member of CHANCEN eG! You will start a boot camp at Data Science Retreat January 2019 in Berlin. What did you do before Data Science Retreat?
First I studied Environmental Sciences and Philosophy in Germany and then I did an international master in Sustainability Science in Sweden. Besides studying I was interested in programming and started to be especially interested in the connection between data science and environmental issues.
For your master’s degree, you already worked a lot with data. Can you explain what you were doing there for non-experts?
My master’s thesis was about the possible applications of big data to measure sustainability indicators- this is currently a big issue in the sustainability goals of the UN (SDGs). In order to do that I had to evaluate about 500 documents – almost impossible to do manually. Therefore, I developed a text mining approach to find the relevant passages according to my research question and to order them thematically. That was not machine learning yet but it was a very useful tool to with which one can search for several keywords that appear in close proximity to each other. That way I was able to take into account all 232 Indicators of SDGs in my analysis. The found passages I then evaluated qualitatively. The connection of qualitative and analog research with automatic, quantifiable analysis was important to me since a very crucial part of my work were the problematic blind spots of big data.
Why did you do your master in Sweden?
Before my master, I already had a good experience with the Swedish university system during my year abroad. Furthermore, my ideal master only exists in the Swedish city of Lund. The programme there was very interdisciplinary: Sustainability issues were always addressed from different perspectives at the same time to analyse their ecologic, economic, social and cultural aspects. The programme was very international and my classmates were from 20 different countries. We had a very intense time together from which we were able to take a lot with us.
Why did you decide to do a course at DSR directly after your masters?
After writing my master’s dissertation about the connection between Big Data and sustainability issues, I realized that I wanted to focus more on the practical part of this domain. DSR is the best option to learn exactly the things that I need to be able to do that after only a short amount of time. I already learned a lot through online courses. DSR also offers the possibility to learn directly from experts whilst learning whilst practicing and to complete your own project. That is how I learn best.
Sounds great! What are your plans for after the boot camp?
After the boot camp, I want to use my acquired knowledge of machine learning for sustainability issues.For example: to better predict extreme weather conditions and to design locally adjusted answering mechanisms; automatically evaluate production chains and recognize the potential to become more sustainable; to design transport networks and ways of transport that meet the needs of people and are more sustainable at the same time. There are plenty of ways of application and a growing number of companies and organisations that are specialized on exactly that, such as Flowminder or the UN Initiative Global Pulse. As a long-term plan, I am considering to found my own consultancy, that specializes in the application of Big Data in such issues.
Data Science is a double-edged sword. How can Big Data be used to create positive change in society? And how do you think we can protect ourselves from negative consequences?
In order to change something for the better, you have to know exactly which factors are involved in what ways. Sustainability issues are complex global entanglements of ecological, economic, and social developments that manifest themselves at different places and different times in completely different ways and become less and less predictable. In order to develop working strategies, we often have to consider countless factors, often in real time – people here often lose sight. Big data can help us to find connections and to make better decisions.
At the same time, personal data is collected, that could reveal too much about individuals and makes us vulnerable to influence and vulnerability, which is dangerous for a democratic society. The new European Data Protection Directive is the first step to give control back to the people. I am convinced that we have to start directly at the design of technology- personal information is often collected passively in advance, most of it unnecessarily and easily avoidable. Most of the applications used by society are possible with aggregated data- in those a single individual cannot be recognized anymore. In places where personal information is indispensable, for example, the healthcare system, they have to be well protected.
Since you are already giving out advice – what tips do you have for sustainable startups regarding conflict management? Since that is what you researched for your Bachelor’s dissertation…
Yes, that happened because I was assisting a researching project that looked at civic contributes to sustainable city development. My starting question was how can we organize cooperation better when we want to change a lot in a short amount of time, just like the activists and entrepreneurs that were interviewed for the study. When one wants to save the world even the best compromise is often not good enough. But to hold on to one’s ideals does not necessarily mean conflict. Insofar: Create spaces in which different point of views can stand opposite each other. Don’t look for unanimity, that only creates false harmony. Don’t feel discouraged by the existing differences, but keep being open to similarities. If there aren’t any then work around the obstacles and create new circumstances out of which new possibilities can grow.
Why did you decide to finance the boot camp through CHANCEN eG?
Without financial help, it would not have been possible to take the next step for me. What convinced me about CHANCEN eG is the transparency and flexibility of the payment model. The Income Share Agreement convinced me that it is really about educational support. I am glad that I can be a part of it.
Thank you very much for your response and the nice talk, we are looking forward to knowing where the journey will take you after the boot camp!
