Final presentation in summer semester 2022Data Thinking: Six interdisciplinary student groups present their data-driven innovation ideas

15 July 2022

Photo: UHH/Max Ludzay & Stephan Leible

A total of six small groups consisting of students from different disciplines presented their ideas for data-driven innovations in the first edition of the ‘Data Thinking’ course.

Beforehand, they came together in guided digital workshops as part of the course, developed their ideas using co-creative methods, discussed them with each other in large and small groups and finalised them based on the feedback. The key to developing ideas is that they are based on existing data or data that is to be collected. This not only encourages a general discussion of data; the students also reflect on possible challenges in dealing with data in the context of social challenges and their own ideas.

The students have developed the following data-driven innovation ideas:

1. Pen and Paper and People: Creating a secure digital space to bring people with similar hobbies together (community building) using the example of pen and paper-based role-playing games. A special aspect is data analysis to match and bring together suitable group constellations.
2. PauKI: Use of artificial intelligence to recognise individual learning patterns to analyse and recommend suitable learning methods in order to prevent learning frustration and promote individual learning types in the context of educational equity.
   Appilyzer: Semi-automated and AI-supported segmentation of apples based on video recordings in apple orchards to predict crop yield and quality. Drones with memorised flight routes collect data using video recordings.
3. Track the Trackers: Data visualisation of incoming and outgoing data, especially from private computers, based on the cookies created by internet browsers. This contributes to data protection and privacy in order to recognise suspicious and unwanted data traffic.
4. ConsciousCart: Analysis and data-based presentation of the sustainability of supply chains for various products. The background to this is the input of a large amount of information on the origin, transport and product components, which is analysed using various weightings of ecological and human aspects. This project idea is part of the resolution of the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act.
5. PROpinion: Application for the transparent recording of citizens' opinions on projects, for example in urban planning at neighbourhood or municipal level. Interaction with project managers, regardless of time and place, should also be part of this application for the exchange of wishes or criticism.

Those who wanted to go one step further and realise their project could then apply for funding of up to EUR 10,000 as part of the Data Literacy student projects.

The creative results of the Data Thinking event reflect in their diversity the different approaches and specialist backgrounds of the participating students. They show that interdisciplinary work, although challenging, can be absolutely enriching. Due to the positive response from participants and further planned funding for data-driven student projects in the DDLitLab, the course will be offered again in the winter semester 2022/2023 as part of the Studium Generale.

We would like to thank all participants for the successful event!