National Workshop Brings Faculty Together to Address Bias in Data Science and AI

This summer, the University of New Haven welcomed faculty and researchers from institutions across the country for a five-day workshop on campus. The event, Train the Trainers as Next Generation Leaders in Data Science for Cybersecurity for all Americans, brought together about 20 participants for hands-on training, discussions, and networking.

The goal was to create Structured Cyberinfrastructure Training (SCT), a model designed to help academia and industry develop correct and fair data-science solutions. It also focused on avoiding bias in education, strengthening connections between universities and industry, and evaluating innovative teaching methods.

Mohamad Nassar, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science, played a key role in co-hosting the event. He said the University鈥檚 Tagliatela College of Engineering, led by Dean Ron Harichandran, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, was eager to sponsor and host the workshop because of its strong alignment with faculty interests.

鈥淲hen one of the Principal Investigator (PI)s shared the idea of hosting at the University of New Haven with me, I was very excited,鈥� said Dr. Nassar. 鈥淭opics of data science, AI, and cybersecurity are of timely and strategic importance for our college and the University.鈥�

He added, 鈥淲e replied with a positive answer and commitment to support the workshop as a co-host. The PIs, Professors Jack Zhang (University of Houston), Susie Zhao (Alabama A&M University), and Ed Pearson (Alabama A&M University), were leading the conversation, and they were very patient and collaborative along the administrative process.

鈥淚 believe that it is of utmost importance to avoid bias in education in general, especially in topics of data science and AI because these are actively changing and impacting our society and life today and in the future,鈥� continued Dr. Nassar. 鈥淲e start having a gap between the arising industry needs and aspirations and what is taught in university curricula.鈥�

Dr. Nassar emphasized how the University is working to adapt in preparing students in the ever-evolving field of AI. 鈥淭he way industry is doing almost everything from software engineering to cybersecurity is morphing very quickly, and while we must keep a solid foundation program, we should also prepare our students to embrace new challenges,鈥� he said.

This made the workshop an important space for collaboration and innovation. 鈥淚t is important to share experiences among faculty and see what and how other universities are carrying out their training and teaching,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭he workshop is a good place to exchange ideas and experiences.鈥�

鈥淭he NSF- and the USDOT UTC CYBER-CARE Center- funded workshop at the University of New Haven was an inspiring opportunity to learn from colleagues and universities across the USA, build collaborative networks, and witness the University鈥檚 strong commitment to advancing cybersecurity and data science education,鈥� added Ardiana Sula, Ph.D., associate professor of practice in the University鈥檚 Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department.

The five-day program included a range of sessions led by experts, and one presentation particularly stood out to Dr. Nassar. 鈥淭he presentation I liked most was from Dr. Lujun Zhai from Prairie View A&M University on Intelligence Processing Unit (IPU) training, which had both theoretical and practical parts,鈥� he said.

The presentation introduced the ACCESS platform, an NSF program that helps researchers and educators utilize the nation鈥檚 advanced computing systems at no cost. 鈥淭his was something many faculty were dreaming of,鈥� Dr. Nassar reflected. 鈥淚t was a Eureka moment for many of us.鈥�

Attendees left energized by the exchange of knowledge and skills. 鈥淧articipating in the workshop and visiting the University of New Haven was an engaging and enriching experience,鈥� said Toya Acharya of Prairie View A&M University. 鈥淭he workshop provided a hands-on, collaborative environment where I was able to deepen my understanding of data analytics. Overall, it was both professionally beneficial and personally inspiring.鈥�

Beyond the sessions, visitors also had the opportunity to experience the University鈥檚 campus and community. Dr. Nassar personally guided participants on an informal tour, showing them academic spaces and the University鈥檚 unique facilities.

鈥淭hey were very happy and impressed,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e talked about class sizes and how we as a private university promote small class sizes and a student-centric teaching philosophy. Other visitors mentioned they could easily have hundreds of students in the same class and not enough teaching assistants.鈥�

He recalled their positive impressions of the Forensic Science Department鈥檚 museum, as well as the Beckerman Recreation Center and Peterson Library. Many also expressed surprise at the University鈥檚 enrollment size, comparing it to institutions such as Rice University.

Feedback about the workshop itself was equally encouraging. 鈥淧articipants were satisfied with the workshop content and delivery,鈥� said Dr. Nassar. 鈥淓veryone has learned something new along the way.鈥�

Looking ahead, Dr. Nassar sees lasting benefits. 鈥淭he workshop was an excellent opportunity to exchange research and teaching experiences, building bridges for future collaboration,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur department will benefit a lot from having a strong national network in the long term, and it will support the community we are serving.鈥�