Researchers Champion Women’s Contributions to Data Science

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, researchers are advocating for a more inclusive future in data science by highlighting the achievements of women. They are building upon the legacy of female pioneers in the field to foster innovation and equity in this rapidly expanding area.

Pioneering Women in Data Science

In the June 2025 issue of Patterns, Lauren Higa, a PhD student, and her advisor, Youping Deng, a professor, published a piece celebrating women’s accomplishments in data science. The duo’s work acknowledges the impact of women like Ada Lovelace, Florence Nightingale, and NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.

Addressing the Gender Gap

Their research also highlights modern leaders, such as Fei-Fei Li, who revolutionized artificial intelligence and computer vision with her ImageNet project. The article makes the case that women’s underrepresentation in data science restricts advancements, promotes bias in data-driven technology, and limits innovation.

According to a 2024 Anaconda report, women constitute only 23% of the global data science workforce. Higa and Deng assert that this underrepresentation in data science impacts progress and introduces bias. To combat this, they propose mentorship programs and equitable authorship opportunities.

“Through their research and leadership at JABSOM’s Bioinformatics Core, the UH Mānoa team hopes to inspire positive change in the data science landscape, one that is inclusive, equitable and reflective of the communities it aims to serve.”

Furthermore, they recommend policies promoting work-life balance, and long-term career support. The team hopes to inspire positive transformation within the data science field. By implementing these strategies, the team at UH Mānoa aims to cultivate a more inclusive, equitable, and representative environment.