Exploring the Unconventional Path of a Data Science Educator
Brian Wright’s journey into academia is as unexpected as it is inspiring. Once focused on a career far removed from teaching, Wright now plays a pivotal role at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science, having been instrumental in its inception.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Wright admitted, “I never saw myself working at a university when I graduated, especially not in this field.” His initial academic pursuits were in economics, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 2002, followed by a master’s in public administration three years later.
Armed with these qualifications, Wright spent over a decade in Washington, D.C., employed in consulting and numerical analysis for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal bodies. This period marked a significant phase in his career until a major grant related to his Pentagon work called him back to his alma mater.
While engaging in his professional responsibilities, Wright pursued a doctorate in higher education. This academic environment sparked his interest in machine learning, as he described, “I was given a large aperture to explore machine learning during its early days in the 2010s.”
Wright’s expertise became a valuable asset when the University of Virginia sought to establish its core data science faculty. At the time, he was in D.C., contributing to the development of George Washington University’s burgeoning master’s program in data science.
In 2019, Philip Bourne, the late professor and founding dean at UVA, encouraged Wright to join the new initiative in Charlottesville. Wright described the experience as, “Creating the school while operating it is a bit like building the plane while we’re flying. It’s been a lot of pressure to be so new at such an old university, but also super rewarding.”
Since joining UVA, Wright has significantly contributed to the School of Data Science, particularly in expanding its undergraduate offerings. He was key in launching a data science minor in 2021, which quickly became the largest at UVA. This expansion also included the introduction of undergraduate and doctoral programs and the recruitment of over a dozen faculty members.
Wright’s dedication to teaching was recognized with UVA’s All-University Teaching Award, honoring his instruction in machine learning and foundational data science. His approach to curriculum design embraces a broader perspective, integrating elements beyond traditional computer science and statistics.
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