Events

Navigating Data Science from Academia to Media, and Beyond

Hosted by the Data Science Institute

Speakers

Tabtim Duenger

Tabtim Duenger

Senior Data Scientist at The Economist

Riya Chhikara

Riya Chhikara

Data Scientist at The Economist

Navigating Data Science from Academia to Media, and Beyond

With the rise in adoption of AI/ML technologies and the increasing demand for data-driven decision-making, data science has become a vital component across many industries, including media. As data science transforms the media landscape - enhancing content personalisation, optimising conversion strategies, and improving audience engagement, it is also becoming an increasingly popular tool for addressing complex business challenges. Navigating a role in this field can be both exciting and challenging.

Tabby and Riya, both LSE graduates, will offer insights into their paths to entering the field of data science. They will discuss their experiences in landing their first roles, negotiating their functions and responsibilities within the media sector, and how they use these experiences and networks to continue guiding their careers.

 

Speakers: Tabtim Duenger, Senior Data Scientist at The Economist

Tabtim completed her Master’s in Applied Social Data Science at the London School of Economics (LSE). She began her career in data science at the Greater London Authority (GLA), the strategic governing body for London, where she gained valuable experience in applying data science to public policy challenges.

Currently, Tabtim is a Senior Data Scientist at The Economist, developing statistical and machine learning models to enhance media optimisation, conversion strategies, and content recommendation. In addition to her role at The Economist, she serves as a guest teacher at LSE, creating course content and leading seminars for a course which emphasises the integration of data science methods into social scientific analysis, helping students understand the application of these techniques to real-world issues.

Tabtim is also part of the JournalismAI Fellowship Programme at LSE, an initiative that connects journalists and technologists to explore innovative AI-driven solutions for enhancing journalism. 

Riya Chhikara, Data Scientist at The Economist

Riya holds a Master’s in Applied Social Data Science from the London School of Economics (LSE), where she transitioned from a background in English literature and sociology into the world of technology. Her experience at a startup in India ignited a passion for building products and deepened her love for coding and data science, driving her to fully commit to the field.

As a Data Scientist at The Economist, Riya contributes to improving content categorization through advanced machine learning techniques. She is involved in a taxonomy project, refining models that automatically detect and classify topics, ensuring accurate content recommendations and optimized audience targeting for a global readership.

In addition to her work at The Economist, Riya is a guest teacher at LSE, where she teaches courses that introduce students to the core principles of data science. Her classes focus on practical data analysis, empowering students with the skills to solve real-world data challenges. 

Outside of her professional and teaching commitments, Riya is expanding her technical skill set, with a strong interest in building applications that integrate computer vision and artificial intelligence. She actively shares her projects and insights on LinkedIn, documenting her journey through new technologies and projects.