Behind the Data
Behind the Data
Podcast Description
Data is all around us, but we spend very little time talking about where it comes from. Each week data scientist Andrea Jones-Rooy, Ph.D. brings you a story about one of the many types of datasets powering our lives. From political polls to measures of democracy, from tracking happiness to powering generative AI, join us on a journey to understand where these datasets that shape our lives actually come from, how to interpret them, and how we can use them to better understand our world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast emphasizes themes such as the importance of data in personal and societal contexts, political polling, crime statistics, democracy measurement, and personal wellness insights from data science. Episodes explore topics like how to utilize personal data for career fulfillment with guest Megan Hellerer, and the measurements of democracy with Brigitte Seim, providing listeners with practical examples of data's relevance in everyday decision-making.
Behind the Data is a podcast about the hidden stories tucked inside the data that shapes our world. From political polls to global happiness indexes, we go beyond charts and headlines to uncover where data comes from, why it’s collected, and what it can (and can’t) tell us. Each episode explores a fascinating dataset that helps us better understand the systems, policies, and people around us. Whether you’re new to data or work with it every day, you’ll find approachable conversations, surprising insights, and a reminder that every dataset reflects a choice—and a story worth telling.
Join us as we explore where data comes from—and where it can take us. Because data isn’t just numbers; it’s how we make sense of the world.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is there life in our galaxy? How would we know if we spotted it? Dr. Moiya McTier, astrophysicist and folklorist, joins us to talk about her Ph.D. research on exactly that, plus the many surprising ways we get data about our universe (plus some existential pondering, of course)! Warning: we will be talking about the vastness of space and it’s *no joke*!
If you’re overwhelmed by the universe but want to be its friend, be sure to check out Moiya’s fantastic podcast Pale Blue Pod! I’m also a guest on an episode this week hooray :).
Follow Moiya!
- @GoAstroMo on all the things!
- Moiyamctier.com
- Her book is The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy
- Her podcast rules: https://palebluepod.com/
Links & references in the episode:
- Foundational archao-astronomer Owen Gingerich
- Cultural astronomer Jarita Holbrook
- LIGO chirp sounds & information
- NASA datasets
- NASA’s exoplanet archive
Our music is from Music Radio Creative and we are proudly part of the Daily Tech News Show ecosystem! Find me at @jonesrooy and jonesrooy.com.
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Life in the Milky Way
04:09 Astrophysics vs. Astronomy: Understanding the Differences
10:30 Data Collection in Astrophysics
16:42 The Breakthrough of Gravitational Waves
21:13 The Sound of Space: Gravitational Waves and Data Representation
22:19 Multi-Messenger Astronomy: A New Era of Discovery
24:48 The Cosmic Gold Rush: Understanding Element Formation
26:21 Data Overload: The Stress of Astronomical Discoveries
28:50 Big Data in Astronomy: The Challenge of Analysis
31:12 AI in Astronomy: The Future of Data Processing
33:33 Bias in Data: The Challenges of Observational Astronomy
36:14 Null Results: The Importance of Scientific Rigor
38:37 The Search for Life: Habitable Zones in the Milky Way
40:54 Existential Reflections: Finding Meaning in the Vastness of Space
42:05 Exploring Space Data: Resources for the Curious
Keywords
Milky Way, life, astrophysics, astronomy, gravitational waves, data collection, science communication, cultural astronomy, world building, aliens, gravitational waves, multi-messenger astronomy, data analysis, AI in astronomy, bias in data, habitable zones, cosmic discoveries, Milky Way, space exploration, scientific rigor
Behind the Datais a podcast that uncovers the hidden stories within the data shaping our world. From political polls to global happiness trackers, we dive into the datasets that influence the decisions we make—while showing you why data isn’t just numbers, but a way to understand the world. Whether you’re a data newbie or a seasoned pro, each episode makes complex data approachable, revealing surprising insights and the human side of every dataset. Come for the discoveries, stay for the stories.
We are proud to be part of the Daily Tech News Show network of podcasts.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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