Stories of impact

Hein Fleuren is not only professor of Business Analytics at Tilburg University, but also the scientific director of the university’s Zero Hunger Lab, an initiative that strives to harness data science to contribute to global food security. Zero Hunger Lab was founded in order to optimize emergency response at the World Food Program, but now applies data science to combat hunger in the broadest sense possible. With unmitigated success. “My dream would be to have more of these labs for issues such as water, energy and deforestation. With Zero Hunger Lab, we have shown that our field can make a valuable contribution."

Senior economist at the World Bank Kai Kaiser and Parvathy Krishnan, data science consultant at the same institution, know very well how difficult it can be to apply data analytics in developing countries. At the same time, that’s where data science can really add value. Especially given the World Bank’s mission to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity. Especially given the World Bank’s mission to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity. “In terms of analytics, that means you want to find ways to harness some of the incredible technical capabilities that have emerged to solve those issues”, says Kaiser. “Asking the right questions, bringing in new developments and some academic knowledge, and connecting it to the people and the processes where it will make a difference.”

Abstract

"Maximise access to healthcare centres"