Zayed University, UAE
Workshop on Machine Learning for the Social Sciences – March 2022
APSA MENA was pleased to work with the Social Science Department at the College of Humanities and Social Science (CHSS) at Zayed University to organize a workshop titled “A Basic Orientation to Machine Learning” from March 11-13. Dr. Skyler Cranmer (Ohio State University) led a two-day introductory workshop on machine learning (ML) and its application in social sciences. A theoretical introduction into the logic of ML, the workshop discussed ML fundamentals and tools using case studies in social sciences to demonstrate how it can help make predictions in research. Participants gained a better understanding of how ML could be used in their work, whether they are quantitative or qualitative-oriented researchers. The training also touched on other ML-related concepts and software, such as supervised regressions, unsupervised clustering, and Python and R. More than twenty faculty members attended the training from the International Affairs and Social Sciences Department.
Dr. Skyler Cranmer (left) with faculty members at Zayed University Dubai Campus
“Skyler was an excellent teacher. The sessions were very clearly organized into separate modules and he explained all the concepts and processes in a very logical way with a range of concrete examples. I know now much more about machine learning and how it can be used in quantitative-based research”
— Dr. Michael Bowles
“I am indebted to APSA for offering us this opportunity to learn the latest ML techniques in political science research. Dr. Skyler was a fantastic trainer and I have a much better understanding of ML after the workshop and hope to implement it in my own research soon.”
— Workshop Attendee
Seminars on “Teaching Research Methods” and “Intro to Methods” – April 2018
APSA worked with the Social Science Department at the College of Humanities and Social Science (CHSS) at Zayed University to organize 4 workshops for faculty and MA students from April 16-18, 2018. Molly Inman (Georgetown) led two sessions with faculty members from CHSS discussing hands-on techniques and exercises for teaching research methods. The sessions were attended by 25 faculty and staff members from both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses of Zayed University. Dr. Inman also led sessions with two different student groups (attended by around 12 students each) who are enrolled in the Diplomacy and International Studies MA program, in which she discussed targeted methodological approaches that fit students’ projects.