Catherine Cramer has recently been named Deputy Director of the West Big Data Innovation Hub. “I am elated to join the leadership team of the West Hub,” Cramer said. “With the primary goal of sustainability, my first plan is to work with the group on expanding our programs and partnerships to enable widespread access to opportunities in data science education, as well as planning efforts.”
Cramer’s past work has been in developing tools and programs for the teaching and learning of complex network and data science, particularly among underserved communities, and centering on creating productive and innovative partnerships between research, industry and academia. She worked with the NSF-sponsored Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) and the Ocean Literacy initiative from 2004-2014, and was one of the founders of the Network Literacy and Network Science in Education movements. She remains active in both, most recently organizing the 12th annual Network Science in Education symposium as part of the 2023 International School and Conference on Network Science, and is on the Board of the Network Science Society. She is co-editor and co-author of the Springer volume Network Science in Education, published in October 2018.
She is also one of the founders of the Data Science for All initiatives, through which she became involved with DataJam, which she recently introduced to the West Hub. Members of the Pala Tribal Community formed a DataJam team, which is now in its second year and is facilitated by West Hub staff member Kim Bruch. Additional DataJam teams and mentorship trainings are being formed with West Hub partners such as UC Berkeley. Her initial work with the West Hub was her involvement in the COVID-19 Data Challenge in 2020. In addition to her work with the West Hub, she serves as the Director of Outreach and Engagement for Data Initiatives at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC San Diego, and is involved in projects engaging local coastal community members in addressing ecosystem challenges.
“We are thrilled for Catherine to join the West Hub in an increased capacity as Deputy Director. She has been instrumental in the success of the COVID-19 Data Challenge and DataJam,” said West Hub Executive Director Ashley Atkins. “Catherine brings critical leadership, expertise, and insight to the West Hub. She will have a significant role in the development and implementation of our sustainability efforts.”