The Midwest Big Data Innovation Hub (MBDH) serves as a catalyst to build capacity and innovation around big data solutions to challenges in our 12-state region, and nationally through the NSF-funded BD Hubs network.
The MBDH is focused on building a cross-sector network to increase awareness and use of data in academia, industry, government, and nonprofits. We do this by convening and leading meetings, cultivating collaborations, and facilitating data science educational opportunities.
Several ways to get involved can be found here:
MBDH Collaboration Cafe
Community Development and Engagement Program
Community Advisory Panel
Midwest Carpentries Community
Data Science Student Community
MBDH Student Intern Program
Regional Activities
Event in a Box Tool Kit
Explore Funding Opportunities
Join a Working Group
Benefits of Hub participation:
Researchers and Educators in Academic Institutions
Broaden the impact of your current research by amplifying it through the Hub network
Join colleagues from a range of institutions, including primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to share curriculum development ideas
Join our Collaboration Cafe and other community development activities to find collaborators for projects and respond to large and/or interinstitutional funding opportunities
Submit a proposal to our Community Development (CDE) Program that incubates new community-led activities
Benefits
Improved student training
• Big data capstone opportunities
• Experience with cross-functional teams
Engagement in interinstitutional projects
• Leverage MBDH leadership in individual proposals
Aligned with the mission of land-grant institutions
Place to develop shared objectives (e.g., accreditation requirement for Data Science programs)
Increased research impact
• Wider adoption of research by target community
• Wider opportunities to disseminate work
Mechanism to secure broader community support during incubator stages
Lower the administrative burden to participate in large funding proposals
Opportunities to engage with nontraditional researchers
Students
Participate in our Data Science Student Community to build a network of peers and future collaborators
Participate in our events and activities to increase your knowledge of new data-related trends and topics and receive mentoring
Grow your data skills in a hands-on training workshop or at a datathon event
Benefits
Build a network of peers and future collaborators
Increase your knowledge of new data-related trends and topics and receive mentoring
Grow your data skills
Industry and Nonprofits
Join other stakeholders and thought leaders across the region and nationally to advance big data technologies through participation in working groups
Influence big data initiatives by serving on our Community Advisory Panel
Find academic partners to collaborate with on new technologies and applications
Benefits
Access to both depth and breadth of faculty expertise
Situated case studies to demonstrate new computational methods
Access to a strong and diverse student pool
Government Agencies
Engage with academic researchers and industry professionals to understand emerging trends and data sources for decision-making
Communicate your data products to a larger audience
Understand community data needs to inform agency program development
Benefits
Neutral party to identify/facilitate data-driven cross-agency collaborations
Access to a data-literate workforce
Pilot potential data analytic techniques into current decision-making processes
Identify data deserts
Activities of the Hub also benefit Funding Agencies in the following ways:
Provide the human infrastructure that is needed to realize the Data Science revolution
Increased impact of projects funded from other initiatives
• Reach a broader audience
• Leverage earlier data-collection investments
Single point of contact to understand data readiness
Reduced reinvention