January 22, 2025
For SCI, which thrives at the intersection of technology, data, and societal impact, hosting speakers like Professor Dashun Wang, the Kellogg Chair of Technology at Northwestern University, enriches the community by exposing students, researchers, and faculty to cutting-edge methodologies and ideas.
Even before Wang’s visit to SCI in December 2024 for the SCI Dean’s Spotlight Series, those like PhD student Alireza Javadian Sabet were already excited by the guest speaker’s research.
Driven by the pursuit of fundamental questions about human nature and society through the lens of data, Javadian Sabet’s own work delves into issues like social mobility, inequality, and workforce resilience, informing students of the challenges of tomorrow’s labor market while fostering a more inclusive and adaptive workforce.
“Ultimately my vision extends beyond academia,” said Javadian Sabet.
When he was introduced to Wang’s work in a “Computational Social Science” course taught by Professor Morgan Frank, Javadian Sabet found Wang’s research on the Science of Science as an innovative approach to utilizing data and computational methods to understand scientific progress.
Inspired by this, Javadian Sabet deepened his engagement with Wang’s work and attended the International Conference on the Science of Science and Innovation (ICSSI). This gave him the opportunity to discuss his research and gain insightful feedback to think more critically about his work.
By exemplifying how computational tools and large-scale data provide insights into the dynamics of scientific progress, collaboration, and innovation, Wang’s research aligns closely with Javadian Sabet’s own methodologies. Therefore, Javadian Sabet has integrated Wang’s emphasis on collaboration to explore factors that shape educational outcomes and workforce adaptability.
“Leadership also plays a central role in my academic roles.”
Furthermore, Wang’s leadership in his role at the Center for Science of Science and Innovation showcases the importance of building interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle societal challenges. This has encouraged Javadian Sabet in his leadership role in the Doctoral Guild at Pitt, in which he is committed to fostering collaborative research environments and mentoring the next generation of scholars. These efforts have manifested programs that enhance professional development and community engagement among doctoral students.
In essence, the collaboration of Wang’s research and Javadian Sabet’s passion has led to a framework for understanding how knowledge flows, evolves and impacts society.
“I aim to extend the impact of my work, inspired by the interdisciplinary rigor that Professor Wang embodies,” Javadian Sabet said.
Watch a recording of Wang's talk, "The Science of Science: Exciting Progress and Future Directions", for the SCI Dean's Spotlight Series.