About

Our focal themes centered around data, technology, ethics, social justice, social good, and anchor-driven urban solutions distinguish IDRIS from other data science centers at Rutgers University and neighboring institutions. These foundational concerns allow IDRIS to complement rather than compete with the excellences being developed within the enterprise university.

 

Mission

• To use data and technology to interrogate and address wicked problems (e.g., health equity, environmental equity, data quality, data literacy, responsible AI) facing urban communities.

• To situate data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and other technologies in an ethical, equity-focused, community-engaged framework that meaningfully accounts for human and urban complexities.

 

History

IDRIS is funded by a Roadmaps Grant from The Rutgers University Academic Affairs Office. IDRIS has three academic foci:

1. Funded Research

2. Training

3. Community-Engaged Practice

Each is enhanced by a series of synergies and partnerships including those with industry, city, state and federal government, and not-for-profit institutions. The institute’s target audiences include students, faculty, external researchers, partners, and members of the New Jersey community and beyond.