2nd Place winner in UN Datathon
Huge congrats to our Research Fellow Sundance Zhihong Sun at AERC and the incredible Down Under Data Wizards team for clinching 2nd place worldwide in the 2023 UNDatathon! Competing against over 400 teams from 100+ countries, these Five Data Wizards showcased excellence and innovation.
What is UN Datathon?
UN Datathon 2023 connects individuals from diverse disciplines and sectors, encouraging them to form teams of 3-5 members to develop innovative data-driven applications, tools or statistical models combining geospatial data with other data sources to help advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. See further information on the official website of UN Datathon: https://unstats.un.org/bigdata/events/2023/un-datathon/)
Who is the Down Under Data Wizards?
Down Under Data Wizards is one of the participating teams of over 400 registered teams from over 100 countries in the UN Datathon 2023. Comprising five people from various universities and research centres in Australia, the Down Under Data Wizards brought together a diverse range of skills and perspectives.
The truly remarkable aspect of their participation lies in the fact that these Wizards, despite hailing from diverse backgrounds, were randomly teamed up by the Australian Data Science Network (https://www.australiandatascience.net/2023/11/un-datathon-2023/), the host of the Australian regional hub. Before the event, they were total strangers, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to their collaboration.
For their project, the Data Wizards decided to tackle a crucial issue: transitioning to clean, affordable energy. Specifically, they created a solution that identifies where the most potential is for solar power and combined it with a way to show where the greatest needs for solar energy are.
As a top three team finalist, the Data Wizards got to present their project at the UN Datathon Awards Ceremony on 18 January 2024. Below is the video from that presentation.
A Reflection on the UN Datathon Journey
Sundance shared, "Upon realising that the rest of my team members have a background in data science, and I am the only one from social sciences, I initially felt a bit intimidated. I even considered withdrawing from the participation."
“When contemplating stepping back, what stood out more to me than winning any award was the encouragement and support I received from the organisers and my team members. Reflecting on this, I am filled with gratitude and an overwhelming sense of pride for my team. I've come to realize that I wouldn't have achieved what we did without their collective effort and support. It goes to show that sometimes, it's not just about the accolades, but the journey and the team that make the experience truly rewarding."
The UN Datathon is not only a platform for showcasing technical prowess but also an opportunity for individuals to forge new connections and collaborations. The Down Under Data Wizards exemplify the spirit of this collaborative environment, demonstrating that innovation knows no boundaries and that great things can happen when diverse minds come together.