Bringing Data Science to Investigative Journalism</h1> <article> <h1>Bringing Data Science to Investigative Journalism</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:03:15 +0000</p> <span>Bringing Data Science to Investigative Journalism</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-16T12:03:15-04:00" title="Monday, March 16, 2026 - 12:03">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Declan Bradley ’26 is a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science">data science </a>double major with a minor in English from Rockford, Michigan. At �鶹��Ƶ, he is a senior staff writer for <em>The �鶹��Ƶ Review</em> and an active participant in ExCo.</p><p><strong>Can you describe your summer internship?</strong></p><p>As the Dow Jones News Fund data reporting intern for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, I specialized in data analysis using the programming languages R and Python. My day-to-day work involved conducting in-depth research for the Howard Center’s investigative stories, which drew on months of reporting by University of Maryland students, faculty, and newsroom partners.</p><p>As a data intern, my contributions ranged from creating visualizations in R or D3 to writing data analysis memos explaining key findings from my research.</p><p>During my first few weeks at the Howard Center, I analyzed national data on the transport of hazardous materials, isolating insights that opened new avenues of inquiry for the team. I also scraped and cleaned datasets from the CDC and EPA to support other reporters’ investigations and built internal tools in HTML and JavaScript that made key portions of the 250-gigabyte database under study accessible to team members without computer science experience.</p><p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ influence you to pursue your internship?</strong></p><p>As a transfer student, I chose �鶹��Ƶ for the way it combines expertise in the sciences with a strong liberal arts grounding. I took a statistics course with Professor Bob Bosch, who emphasized the importance of critical and ethical thinking when applying statistical methods in research.</p><p>His teaching prepared me well for my work at the Howard Center, which combined the computational study of large datasets with the real-world ethics of investigative public service journalism.</p><p><strong>How did your internship align with your post-college goals?</strong></p><p>I plan to pursue a career as a computational journalist, and the Howard Center was an excellent opportunity to apply my studies in computer and data science to grounded news reporting. I admire the work of nonprofit investigative outlets such as ProPublica and hope to contribute to a newsroom like that after graduation.</p><p><strong>How has your liberal arts education shaped the way you think about science or research?</strong></p><p>My study of history and literature informs my work in journalism a great deal. As a data reporter, I investigate complex systems through a computational lens. But those systems are the product of politics, culture, and history. Understanding the wider historical and social context behind the stories we cover can make them richer and more informative for our readers.</p><p><strong>What drew you to your major?</strong></p><p>In 2022, I attended a week-long residency workshop on computational reporting taught by members of the data journalism team at <em>The Washington Post</em>. Their passion for their work inspired me to apply my own computational skills to public service reporting—a goal I have pursued ever since.</p><p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">At the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Declan Bradley ’26 combined programming, analysis, and reporting as a Dow Jones News Fund intern.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-16T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3897">Internship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Dow Jones News Fund interns in 2025.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Declan Bradley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:11:35 +0000</p> <span>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T11:11:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:11">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 11:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>I spent this summer working on a transportation research paper under Professor Josh Davidson. My focus has been on measuring and improving accessibility to the transportation network, making it more equitable for people across different demographics. In particular, we looked at the concept of ‘Intercity Buses’ (imagine a bus running from Cleveland to Chicago, or from Boston to New York), and how likely people would be to take this bus instead of a flight, given that there are improvements in the current infrastructure that surround intercity buses. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ is quite active in involving students during its faculty hiring process, so I had the opportunity to meet <a href="/node/414931">Professor Davidson</a> during his research presentation back in 2022, before he officially joined �鶹��Ƶ. Having already taken a few quantitative classes in statistics, math, and computer science, I was fascinated by how concepts from these disciplines came together in his work, and the impact it had on urban planning and transportation research. Despite not being able to take a class with him since he joined, �鶹��Ƶ’s intimate size made his office hours very accessible, helping us keep in touch over the course of the academic year. Our ongoing relationship made it possible for us to talk about research topics that had scope for further analysis, and thus came about this project to examine intercity buses.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>Pursuing this internship aligns perfectly with my post-college goals, as I'm potentially aiming to go to graduate school in economics and/or data science. I’ve always enjoyed examining issues from a quantitative lens, and my work in data science this summer deepened that passion. The interdisciplinarity of the field not only sharpened my technical skills, but also reinforced my commitment to using data to tackle complex economic problems, bringing me closer to my career aspirations.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ’s liberal arts education, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking, has deeply shaped how I approach science and research. This summer, my research exemplified this mindset. Instead of viewing the idea of ‘accessibility’ to transport systems (in this case, intercity buses) purely through the technical lens of data analysis, my research integrated insights from economics, psychology, urban planning, and other disciplines to inform my analysis and methodology. This approach has not only enriched my research but also allowed me to address the problems I’m studying in a more holistic and innovative way.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-14T12:00:00Z">Mon, 10/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After being fascinated with the research of <a href="/node/414931">Assistant Professor of Statistics and Data Science Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a>, Aahil Singh ’26 decided to pursue a similar project. As a double major in <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> with a <a href="/node/84821">statistical modeling</a> minor and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a> concentration, Aahil appreciates how concepts can cross disciplines. Through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>, over the summer he worked on a research paper with Professor Davidson on the subject of transportation. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=84821">Statistical Modeling</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joshua-h-davidson" hreflang="und">Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Aahil Singh ’26 presents his summer research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:35:36 +0000</p> <span>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-04T10:35:36-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 10:35">Wed, 09/04/2024 - 10:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer at Carnegie India, I am working as a summer assistant to provide senior research analysts with briefings on various topics including international trade and technology corporations, border conflicts and infrastructure, multilateral relationships with India, India's political economy, and other international think tank organizations. </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>In the Spring 2024 semester, I took <a href="/node/6201">Professor Marc Blecher's</a> POLT 212 Political Economy of Development in Asia, in which we discussed the development of 5 main Asian economies: Japan, India, China, South Korea and Taiwan. In a different class offered by Professor Rudabeh Shahid, I examined the politics of citizenship in India, Myanmar and the United States. The two classes captured my interest to take a closer look at India to experience how the nation with a history and culture over 4000 years, the largest population on Earth, and a world class military, is growing its international presence. My professors at �鶹��Ƶ have taught me how to look at the world in a greater context, but in this summer assistantship at Carnegie India, I wanted to learn from watching closely what analysts at the frontlines of the foreign policy research experience.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>As a computer science major, my career goals focused mainly on the development of technologies. However, at Carnegie India, I was able to see how policy studies perceive and attempt to govern technology, an important aspect for both private lives but also national power. This summer assistantship has allowed me to become aware of the consequences of development and its impact on the prosperity of the international community.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach research?</strong></p> <p>The liberal arts education and way of thinking helped me better understand the role and implications of technology development, whether it is to empower individuals or secure national power. The liberal arts education has equipped me with the right moral responsibility as an engineer with good goals and intentions for development that will enable individuals mobility while ensuring its right use.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 had a meaningful summer at Carnegie India through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>. At �鶹��Ƶ, she is a <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> major with a double minor in <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a>, and concentrations in <a href="/node/245971">international affairs</a> and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a>. Here, they reflect on how �鶹��Ƶ shaped their morals. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marc-blecher" hreflang="und">Marc Blecher</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The view from Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, where Moe Ariyoshi ’26 was able to travel during her summer at Carnegie India.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>