Data Science for Social Impact
This pioneering programme sought to train a group of social impact professionals in the techniques and tools of data science, with a focus on climate change, public health, and their intersection. Ashoka University developed this programme as one of the founding members of data.org’s India Data Capacity Accelerator (IDCA) initiative.
- Date: September 2025
- Price: INR 1,20,000/-
Overview
Hosted on the AshokaX platform and organized by the Centre for Data Sciences and Analytics (CDSA), the programme faculty included Prof Partha Pratim Das and other distinguished experts and practitioners from Ashoka University and other leading institutes and organisations. The programme sought to train a cohort of data professionals with interdisciplinary subject-matter expertise in climate and health data, with a key focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). Ashoka University offered a two-track programme that year: 1) Data Science and Analytics for Social Impact and 2) Data Science for Social Impact Management. Upon completion of the programme, the learners were awarded a Certificate in Data Science for Social Impact, with their track mentioned along with the grade.
Program Learning Outcomes
Learners were trained with the latest techniques and tools of data science to address problems at the intersection of climate change and public health.
During the course, learners:
Had the opportunity to bring data problems from their personal work areas into the classroom.
Had the opportunity to work on real-life datasets.
Became proficient in techniques and tools for data collection, curation, collation, clustering, classification, and visualisation.
Became familiar with important approaches to analytics using statistical and machine learning algorithms, with a focus on using data analytics to solve problems for social impact.
Understood data governance and ethics issues and how these manifest in practice.
Learned how to forecast future trends and risks, as well as engage in data-driven decision making.
Developed the ability to create dashboards and interactive tools that make data understandable and actionable for better communication and awareness.
Programme Structure
The program took place over 30 weeks from September 2025 to April 2026. It consisted of lectures, tutorials, discussion forums, office hours, assignments, quizzes, exams, and project presentations — all conducted entirely online.
A supportive LMS enabled flexible access to course materials, lecture videos, and other study resources.
The program included:
Hands-on assignments on a weekly basis
Online proctored quizzes, a mid-term exam, and an end-term exam
A real-world data science group project focused on health and climate problems
Timing
The program was delivered as a 20-week live online program with 6 to 7 contact hours per week.
Faculty conducted 2-hour online lectures every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning.
Participants attended 2–3 hour online hands-on laboratory, tutorial, and discussion sessions on Saturday afternoons.
The programme is structured into three key segments designed to build both foundational knowledge and applied expertise. The first segment, Foundational Course, introduces learners to the core fundamentals required for data science, including Python, Mathematics, and Statistics. This segment ensures that participants develop the essential technical base needed to engage with more advanced concepts later in the programme.
The second segment, Segment I – Generic Data Science Skills, focuses on foundational and sector-agnostic data science concepts. In this segment, learners explore a wide range of topics such as data analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, large language models, geospatial analytics, time-series analysis, data visualisation, data interpretation, intelligent data analytics, and policy implementation. These courses help participants build a strong and versatile understanding of modern data science tools and methodologies.
The final segment, Segment II – Applied Sectoral Skills, consists of advanced courses that emphasise the practical application of foundational data science concepts to real-world challenges. This segment focuses specifically on complex problems within the Climate and Health sectors, enabling learners to apply data-driven approaches to address pressing global issues.
Programme
| Course | Foundational Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Mathematics, Statistics & Programming | 3 Weeks |
| Segment 1 – Generic Data Science Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Introductory Data Science | 6 weeks |
| Course 2 | Geospatial and Time-Series Analytics | 3 weeks |
| Course 3 | Analytics: Techniques and Tools | 2 weeks |
| Course 3 | Data Visualization and Interpretation | 2 weeks |
| Segment 2 – Applied Sectoral Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course 5 | Data Science in Climate Change | 3 weeks |
| Course 6 | Data Science in Healthcare and Public Health | 4 weeks |
| Course 7 | Delivering Social Impact Projects | 1 week |
Tracks
The programme and cohort will run in two distinct tracks based on learners’ professional goals and backgrounds. Track 1 – Data Science and Analytics for Social Impact is designed for data practitioners, analysts, and aspiring data scientists who want to build technical expertise in applying data science to social impact challenges. Track 2 – Data Science for Social Impact Management is intended for generalists, programme managers, and professionals in non-technical roles who require a conceptual and practical understanding of data science to inform decision-making and programme management.
Learners would have selected their preferred track in the application form during the admissions process. However, if a learner wishes to change their track after the programme begins, they may reach out to the Learning Coordinators early in the course to request a change.
Target Audience
This programme is designed for professionals working in the social impact space, including those engaged in climate, health, development, policy, and data. Whether you are a data analyst, programme manager, or an aspiring data scientist, the PEDP equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively leverage data to drive meaningful, real-world impact.
Faculty
Partha Pratim Das obtained his PhD in 1988. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, from 1988 to 1998. He then shifted from academics to industry, initially as a Director for Alumnus Software and as the CEO of a start-up A Quaint Technology before joining Interra Systems as a Senior Director and Centre Head, Kolkata in 2001. His areas of expertise include computer vision, digital learning, digital geometry, and image processing.
Partha Pratim Das
Program Director
Anurag Agrawal is Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, India, and former director of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, a national laboratory of CSIR, India. After completing graduate medical education at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, he further trained in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA, followed by a PhD in Physiology from Delhi University.
Anurag Agarwal
Sector Lead, Healthcare
Gautam Menon is a Professor of Physics and Biology at Ashoka University. He heads its Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability (3CS) and is currently Dean (Research) at Ashoka University. He was recently appointed a Commissioner on the Lancet Commission on “Strengthening the use of Epidemiological Modelling”.
He completed a BSc (Hons) in physics at St. Stephens College, Delhi, an MSc from IIT Kanpur, and a Ph.D from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He serves on the scientific review committees of several international and national agencies, including the Human Frontier Science Program and the Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance, as well as on a number of national committees.
Goutam Menon
Sector Lead, Climate
How to Apply?
- Registration
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online registration form only takes a few minutes to complete.
- Application
After you submit your application, an AshokaX representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- Selection
Once you’ve completed your application and made the payment, you’re ready to join your cohort.