Main description:

This book is a collection of reflections by thought leaders at first-mover organizations in the exploding field of "Data Science for Social Good", meant as the application of knowledge from computer science, complex systems and computational social science to challenges such as humanitarian response, public health, sustainable development. The book provides both an overview of scientific approaches to social impact - identifying a social need, targeting an intervention, measuring impact - and the complementary perspective of funders and philanthropies that are pushing forward this new sector.
This book will appeal to students and researchers in the rapidly growing field of data science for social impact, to data scientists at companies whose data could be used to generate more public value, and to decision makers at nonprofits, foundations, and agencies that are designing their own agenda around data.

Contents:

Introduction.- The Value of Data and Data Collaboratives for Good: A Roadmap for Philanthropies to Facilitate Systems Change through Data.- UN Global Pulse: A UN Innovation Initiative with a Multiplier Effect.- Building the Field of Data for Good.- When Philanthropy Meets Data Science: A Framework for Governance to Achieve Data-Driven Decision-Making for Public Good.- Data for Good: Unlocking Privately-Held Data to the Benefit of the Many.- Building a Funding Data Ecosystem: Grantmaking in the UK.- A Reflection on the Role of Data for Health: COVID-19 and Beyond.