Q&A with Women+ in Statistics and Data Science leader Kaitlyn Webb
Kaitlyn Webb, is the founder of the Monthly Reading Group for Data Feminism, Women+ in Statistics and Data Science leader, and a graduate student in Statistics with a dual title in Social Data Analytics. Kaitlyn is also a recipient of the Janet L. Norwood Science Achievement Scholarship from the Science Achievement Graduate Fellows program in the Eberly College of Science.
Q: What is your research area?
KW: I study differential privacy with applications to economics and government statistics.
Q: What prompted you to start the Monthly Reading Group for Data Feminism?
KW: I have always been passionate about supporting women in their academic journeys, especially in STEM. I became involved with Women+ in Statistics and Data Science (W+SDS), which is a group that forms and builds community, provides networking and mentoring opportunities, and shares resources. My co-organizer of W+SDS, Olivia Beck, came up with the idea for the Book Club. We thought it was a good way to explore gender inequity in data collection and analysis, which could benefit anyone who works with data in their research. We hoped the book club would encourage more interdisciplinary involvement in the organization to include anyone who uses data in their field of study. We chose the book, Data Feminism by Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein since it is widely accessible since it is available through Penn State Library. This book focuses on gender inequality and misrepresentation in all aspects of data and includes examples and suggestions on what individuals can do to address them.
Q: Who can join the Monthly Reading Group for Data Feminism and how do people join the group?
KW: We are open to graduate students, post-docs, and faculty, regardless of gender identity or field of study. To join, email me (krd5520@psu.edu) requesting to be added. Also, people can come to our next meeting on Wednesday, February 21 at 3:00-4:00 p.m. in Thomas 320 to discuss Chapter 4.
Q: Tell us about your experience in Women+ in Statistics and Data Science
KW: I manage the email list and email communications for the group. My co-advisor, Olivia Beck, and I coordinate logistics together for other events, such as trivia last semester and other upcoming events.
I really enjoyed the trivia that we did last semester. It was Jeopardy style but in groups, and we had students and faculty there. We had a Penn State history category which was fun to learn so much about and watch other people learn it too. After trivia, we had snacks and just socialized. It was a great way to meet new people.
Q: Can you share your experiences in faculty and graduate student mentorship?
KW: I knew before I even came to Penn State that I wanted to be involved in W+SDS. I had experience in the past matching mentors and mentees for an organization during my undergraduate studies, so I volunteered to make the mentorship groups my first year, 2020-2021.
I make the form to collect those interested in being a mentor or mentee, which is sent out at the beginning of each academic year. Then I help recruit more mentors directly if needed and pair faculty mentors with graduate student mentees.
If anyone is interested in getting involved in 2024-2025, they can be added to the email list to receive the interest form. It is open to graduate students, post-docs, and faculty who work with data science or statistics in their field of study.