Data for a
good cause A solution to social problems may be hidden in the mountains and mountains of data that humankind produces on a daily basis.
Hein Fleuren
Text: Ans Hekkenberg
T
he amount of data collected by hu mankind over the past two years is greater than that of all previous years put together. These are the
billions of Whatsapp messages we send every day, as well as patient data, stock market information, and the data collected by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). These huge mountains of data hide secrets that data science can uncover. With its Data Science for Social Good program, Tilburg University offers its
28 | New Scientist | Tilburg University Economics and Management | Research Special
Dick den Hertog
r esearchers a clear assignment: to search for solutions to social problems that are currently still hidden in data. Dick den Hertog, who led the University’s Impact Program until early 2020, and Hein Fleuren, his successor, introduce three projects led by researchers from the Facul ty of Economics.
