A new website is online for Academic Data Analytics, a new unit launched by the Office of the Provost in January with the goal of supporting student and faculty success through research while addressing inequities in outcomes.

Academic Data Analytics was formed to provide University of Oregon stakeholders with information to make data-driven decisions about topics such as student concerns, transfer credits, resource distribution and other issues in higher education. Using a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning and other advanced methods of analysis, the team aims to push the boundaries of higher education research.

While focusing on the four main technical areas of predictive analytics — text analytics, impact evaluations and descriptive analyses — the unit will use existing data and research frameworks to answer questions on academic outcomes, themes in course evaluations, effectiveness of programs and policies, and barriers to success.

“The success of students and faculty members demands a closer look at the data, and in how we analyze the data and understand the results,” said Sung-Woo Cho, associate vice provost for Academic Data Analytics. “We want to glean new insights using both established and cutting-edge methods, in hopes that we can help boost successful outcomes and understand what might prevent those outcomes from occurring.”

The research findings will be made available to both UO stakeholders and higher education researchers at other institutions, with the goal of advancing equity in all spaces of higher education.

—By Kaitlyn Jimenez, University Communications