WISCURDS is a hands-on research opportunity at UW–Madison open to all undergraduate students. This Data Science Institute (DSI) initiative connects students with faculty, industry, and community projects, providing students with a facilitated path to conduct data science research with partners across campus, throughout Wisconsin, and beyond. Student data scientists, working in small teams, create meaningful solutions to open-ended, applied data problems.
- Small group work. Teams of 4–5 students tackle applied data problems.
- Mentored + guided support. Staffed by Data Science Institute personnel, WISCURDS provides students with a structured path into data science research. This program also affords project sponsors an efficient opportunity to leverage the creative talents of students who can address important problems.
- Open to all majors. WISCURDS is especially relevant for students with coursework in data science, statistics, computer science, economics, sociology, engineering, and public health.
- Continuing a legacy of undergraduate research excellence. WISCURDS is modeled on Skunkworks, an undergraduate research initiative in the UW–Madison College of Engineering. The Data Science Institute Affiliates proposed expanding this program campus-wide, with support from DSI. In 2025, DSI launched the WISCURDS initiative.
Real experience. Real impact. WISCURDS offers opportunities for students in all majors to:
- Collaborate on real-world research and applied data projects with a manageable time commitment
- Strengthen technical and teamwork skills
- Showcase work to future employers, grad schools, and more
Expand your research. Implement new methods in your work. Extend your impact.
WISCURDS simplifies the process of engaging bright, motivated students in data-driven work. With a manageable time commitment, faculty, industry, and community project proposers can:
- Propose open-ended problems or project goals
- Receive structured support from the WISCURDS facilitation team
- Gain fresh insight from interdisciplinary student teams
- Contribute to workforce development in data science