From Data Science to Data Science for Public Policy
When I began studying the Bachelor of Data Science at SP Jain Global, I was fascinated by the ability of technology and data to solve complex problems. As I progressed through my degree, I became increasingly interested in a broader question: how can these tools be used to understand and address problems that affect society?
Applying data science in real-world settings
Studying across Mumbai and Sydney exposed me to different cultures, perspectives and ways of thinking. It taught me to look beyond a purely technical solution and consider the people, communities and contexts behind a problem.
My AI Engineering internship in Poland was an important part of that journey. I developed a multilingual RAG chatbot for a European university using more than 200 Polish and English documents. Working on a real-world AI application allowed me to apply NLP, machine learning and information retrieval beyond the classroom, while showing me the importance of designing technology around the people it is intended to serve.
My industry and research experiences have further allowed me to apply data science beyond the classroom, from building executive dashboards at a FinTech company in Sydney to working with large-scale datasets as part of academic research with a professor in Greece.
Connecting technology with public policy
However, my experiences beyond technology have increasingly shaped the problems I want to use these skills to solve. As a Development Officer at UN Youth Australia and a General Assembly Member of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, I have contributed to youth-led initiatives, engaged with global policy issues and participated in institutional governance and decision-making. These experiences have made me increasingly interested in how evidence, technology and data can help us understand public problems and inform the decisions that shape them.
That realisation is what has drawn me towards Data Science for Public Policy. I want to build on my technical foundation while learning how data can be used to understand complex societal problems, evaluate interventions and inform better public decisions.
I am beginning to explore this through my current academic work on educational interruptions among migrant children, using Natural Language Processing and geospatial mapping to understand language and curriculum gaps. It reflects the kind of work I want to pursue: using technical methods to investigate a social problem and generate evidence that can inform meaningful action.
The next step in my journey
Looking ahead, I want to work at the intersection of data, technology and public policy, bringing together quantitative skills with an understanding of the social and institutional contexts in which policy decisions are made.
For me, Data Science for Public Policy is the natural next step in my journey: from learning how to work with data, to understanding how data can help us make better decisions about the societal problems that matter.
Harshitha Senthilkumar is our Bachelor of Data Science student, currently located at our Sydney campus.
Also read:
How a Bachelor of Data Science is Preparing Me for the Future of Work
My experiences as a year 1 student in the Bachelor of Data Science program
