Sydney Precision Data Science Centre (SPDS) hosted their second annual Winter Data Analysis Challenge from 22-24 July 2024. The challenge is a chance for undergraduate students to showcase skills and creativity in analysing a complex and challenging dataset and win prizes.
For this year’s challenge, participants were provided with one large dataset on human lifespans over different geopolitical entities and time periods and asked to explore the phenomenal gains in human lifespan that have occurred within the last 150 years.
SPDS recognises that great data analysis involves creativity and innovation as well as analytical skills. The challenge asks students to develop their own research questions and integrate these data with other large open datasets. The challenge is held online with SPDS providing advice and mentoring to students throughout the 3-day event. The goal is to value data analysis beyond a single metric and prizes are valued at $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third.
This year the judging panel of researchers from SPDS were impressed by the high quality of entries and particularly excited by the broad range of ways students were able to interrogate the data. The judging criteria was based on four components: analytical innovation, clarity of communication, critical assessment and evaluation, and demonstration of understanding the wider context.
Congratulations to this year winners!
First place was awarded to Jey Son Chuah, George Wu and Luke Brutto for their team entry titled One factor to rule them all: A report on life expectancy gains within recent history. Jey Son and George are studying a Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Luke a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
Second place was awarded to Emily Lewis Dando for her report titled Growth of life expectancy in Africa. Emily is undertaking Bachelor of Science/Laws.
Third place went to Angel Poi and Olivia Peng for their team entry titled Impact of financial healthcare investment on global life expectancy over the past 150 years. Angel is studying Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Advanced Studies and Olivia a Bachelor of Science and Master of Mathematical Sciences.
The judges were also keen to give an honourable mention to Aldwin Arambulo, Mia Childers and Mu-Wei Chung for their team entry Vaccine Coverage and life expectancy in the 20th Century. Members of this team are all enrolled in Bachelor of Advanced Computing with Mia also studying a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science). Another honourable mention as awarded to Putu Jyoti Prema for Evaluating the relationship between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy: Insights from 1990-2022. Putu is studying a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Health).
The challenge is held each year in the winter break and is open to undergraduate students. If you are interested in participating in 2024, please register your interest via the EOI form and we will let you know when registrations open.
