Skip to Main Content

Jax TECH Week featuring UNF’s Florida Data Science for Social Good

The FL-DSSG interns standing in front of a Cologix signThe University of North Florida has teamed up with the JAX Chamber, Jacksonville IT Council, NLP Logix and some of the biggest local AI and data technology companies to present Jax TECH Week featuring UNF’s Florida Data Science for Social Good (Fl-DSSG) project. 

The week's main events are: 

  • FL-DSSG's Big Reveal from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at WJCT Studios
  • TECH Coast Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 at UNF’s Adam W. Herbert University Center
  • Jax TECH networking social from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at Surfer The Bar
The FL-DSSG and Jax Tech social events are free and open to the public, and tickets are still available for the TECH Coast Conference.

UNF’s FL-DSSG program is in its 7th year of tackling data-rich projects that have substantial impact for local nonprofits and small businesses and agencies. By obtaining relevant data from community partners pertinent to the issues most needed to be addressed, the interns work as a team to help assist partners in making data-driven decisions. 

The intensive 12-week internship supports seven UNF student interns from multi-disciplinary backgrounds who crunch data and provide solutions under the guidance of Dr. Dan Richard, psychology associate professor, and Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy, School of Computing associate professor, with numerous distinguished industry and faculty mentors.  

The Big Reveal event will present compelling data solutions on the following projects: 

  • FL-DSSG investigated the 2020 Census data to learn about the populations who were not counted, where they were located, their demographic profiles and other data to improve census results in the future for the Florida Philanthropic Network, which was integral in forming a collaborative effort to raise awareness of and participation in the 2020 Census.
  • FL-DSSG utilized LEAD survey responses and other relevant data to assist with finding a baseline from school and art education data to compare and rate after-school art programs for the Cathedral Arts Project.
  • FL-DSSG looked at patterns and trends in the past six years of “Florida Companies to Watch” application data to develop a dashboard that identifies trends within the type of companies and patterns of opportunities to expand their program support for second-stage companies at GROWFL.

The 2023 FL-DSSG program sponsors include NLP Logix, Jacksonville Jaguars, Community First Credit Union, Cathedral Arts Project and the Florida Philanthropic Network.  

The Tech Coast Conference, hosted by the Jacksonville IT Council since 2014, provides a forum for local businesses, IT decision makers, technology innovators from around the world and the skilled local talent pool to present, discuss and share advances, opportunities and solutions. Among the many speakers, UNF Vice President and Chief Information Officer Brian Verkamp will join some of the area's top C-Suite technology leaders for a leadership panel discussion. 

Learn more about the Florida Data Science for Social Good webpage and register for TECH Coast Conference.