Volunteering Opportunities

We are always looking for passionate individuals to work with Data Science Connects. It's a fantastic way to show your commitment to the profession and support your professional development.

We have a small team that handles tasks like administrative support and marketing, while all other work is managed by our volunteers. The different areas are outlined below.

Networks 

Our networks exist to run local events and meetings of interest to its members in the particular region. Each region has a small committee, including a treasurer, secretary and chair, responsible for devising and running the programme of meetings. You could be involved by being part of the committee, giving a talk, or simply by attending one or more of the meetings.

Special Interest Groups 

The  special interest groups, or SIGs, run in a very similar way to the regional networks – except their focus is on a particular sector (such as defence or analytics) or technique area (such as forecasting).  Again, you could help run a SIG, give a talk or simply attend.  And if there doesn’t appear to be a SIG that matches your particular interest, then form one!

Conferences and Other Events 

Data Science Connects is part of the OR Society's annual conference. Data Science and AI Summit,  New to OR conference and Careers Week run annually.  All of these events have volunteer committees to run them, teams of stream organisers to help attract the ‘content’ and support during the event.  Volunteers are also encouraged to come forward with their ideas and plans for new events.

Inside OR News Magazine

Whilst we do employ a part-time journalist to provide material for publications, our magazine’s editor is a volunteer and we encourage as many people as possible to submit articles.  Perhaps you could co-ordinate a series of articles (such as 'Data Science in my Organisation') or simply tell the readership about your work or an event you’ve attended.

Journals

Here, volunteers make up the editorial teams running the journals, and are backed up by a large pool of reviewers who assess the papers that are submitted for publication.  Editorial vacancies are advertised in monthly newsletters. 

Board, General Council & Committees 

The Society’s strategic direction is decided and put into practice by the group of volunteers that make up its board, general council and committees. The committees generally meet three times a year, with other business conducted electronically, and members will take on and execute the various necessary actions from the committee business.  Each year, new committee members are nominated to fill the advertised vacancies, and sit for a term of three years.  The vacancies are advertised in August & September each year.