Why junior researchers benefit from datathon events

Dr Sarah Bauermeister has been known to get up at 4.45am because she’s so enthusiastic about her work, and is totally passionate about developing younger scientists in the dementia research field. We asked her why datathons are such a great opportunity for them.

"In my experience working with junior researchers, I notice that many simply haven’t had the opportunities to work with big and complex datasets. This might because they’re working in small research departments, or they only work with a single health study cohort collected at their institution. This is totally understandable but will become an increasingly outdated way of working. When I originally developed the concept of the DPUK datathons, I had junior scientists – each with stacks of potential and ideas – in mind.

At datathons, analysts and data scientists will be exploring key dementia research themes with a treasure trove of free tools. We guide them with research questions and provide the data to work with. Fundamentally, it’s about collaboration and support – exactly what junior researchers need.

The support we offer

We offer attendees access to 4-5 large cohort datasets, a full range of statistical tools (eg R, Python, Stata, SPSS), a virtual desktop and a selection of suggested research themes to take forward. But critically – they’re not left on their own. They are given chance to discuss in groups which theme they would like to work on. Then, using their own skills and some new ones, they’ll work on chosen datasets to answer a research question within their theme over the three days.

Using multiple methodologies across multiple types of data, bringing together the brightest minds in one room over three days means only one thing, exciting outcomes are going to happen. - Dr Sarah Bauermeister

Senior researchers are on hand to support throughout the three days. At the end of the datathon, the attendees are guided towards carrying on with their research by the scientific leads. Like our previous datathon, we expect these outputs to lead to full DPUK project proposals and publications.

Our research focus

In DPUK datathons, we want to look at large datasets to find patterns in the data which will help us understand ‘healthy brain ageing’. We’re going to be looking at those people who have been followed for a long time in population studies and do not go on to develop dementia. What did they do that was successful? What did they eat? What diseases did they not have? What medications did they take or not take? In particular we’re interested in finding out about which other diseases and medical conditions ‘clump’ together. We're interested in knowing about what places an individual at a higher risk of dementia. These are the ‘comorbidities’ of dementia and this is becoming a key research area. We want to know about genetic links too. With innovative analysis techniques, DPUK’s population health  study cohorts can tell us all this, and that’s why we’re supporting junior scientists to work with them.

Fundamentally, our aim with the DPUK datathon initiative is that research into the most pressing research questions will not be restricted by institution limits or, funder. We want to support and we want to collaborate. Our next datathon is an open door to all data scientists who are curious and want to tackle dementia head on."

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