Data Science Research Communication Internship

The Data Science Research Communication (DSRC) Internship in the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS) offers undergraduate Data Science Majors a unique opportunity to develop a solid understanding of the research pursued by selected faculty members in CDS, and to convey that understanding to their fellow students and to the general public through artifacts they develop. Students selected as DSRC Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a CDS faculty member who will help them identify prospective subject-matter faculty experts in CDS, directing them to existing materials they need to review, assist them in preparing for interviews with faculty experts and/or PhD students and postdoctoral fellows they work with, and reviewing the quality of the content they produce. This content is expected to be the basis for engaging artifacts that the student will help develop towards the end of their internship, in consultation with the senior communication staff in CDS. Such artifacts are meant to communicate to a general audience the nature of the research projects pursued in CDS – its importance and its potential impact. These artifacts may include but are not limited to research briefs, articles, blog posts, and explainer videos, which CDS could use in its outreach to the broader community at BU and beyond.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the DSRC internship will develop:

  • Exposure and appreciation of a cutting-edge area of data science research
  • Capacity to converse with teams pursuing basic or applied data science research
  • Skills to simplify complex technical concepts for non-expert audiences
  • Strategies to translate and retarget content for audiences at various levels
  • Experience working with communication specialists on artifacts and work products
  • Ability to deploy the skills they learned in new contexts and settings

Application & Selection Process

This paid one-semester internship is open to Data Science Majors in good academic standing. Interested students are encouraged to apply by sending their one-page resume and a one-page statement of purpose to the Director of Student Academic Experience [mkcarven@bu.edu] in CDS. This statement should highlight why the student is interested in pursuing a DSRC internship as well as any relevant experiences or qualifications. Students are not expected to identify specific subjects or subject matter experts of interest, but they are welcome to do so. Applications must be received at least one month before the start of each semester.