We’ve all been targeted with online ads that seem strangely accurate – or completely off the mark. For Tushar Bura, an MS graduate from the Columbia University Data Science Institute (DSI), this inconsistency sparked a deeper look into how advertising algorithms work—and whether they may contain embedded biases.

As part of his work with the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub (NEBDHub), which is housed at the Data Science Institute, Bura analyzed 1,500 consumer interactions with online ads, looking for patterns in how people engage with advertising and how algorithms respond. His findings didn’t just reveal user behavior—they also highlighted possible biases in advertising models, such as a tendency to prioritize older or lower-income demographics when data is limited.

Bura’s findings are now part of a hands-on data science project at the NEBDHub, which offers free, open-source experiential learning opportunities for students, educators, and professionals  worldwide. Through the NEBDHub’s Data Science Projects program, participants can work directly with real-world data, building analytical skills through unique projects.  

Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub: A Global Resource at the Data Science Institute

Bura’s project is one of many produced by the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub (NEBDHub), one of four NSF-funded Big Data Innovation Hubs in the U.S.  

“The mission of the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub is to build and strengthen partnerships across industry, academia, nonprofits, and government to address these challenges and accelerate innovation in the national big data ecosystem,” says  Florence Hudson, NEBDHub’s Executive Director.

A core part of that mission is advancing data literacy through free skills-building lessons, such as the one Bura developed. Since its launch, lessons have reached over 5,200 students across 1,000 schools in 30+ countries, offering training in Python, SQL, geospatial analysis, machine learning, and other data science skills.

“We’ve identified key skills that our community may need support to learn about outside of their coursework,” explains Lauren Close, NEBDHub’s Operations and Communications Manager. “These lessons are designed to help students and professionals gain the skills they need to address critical challenges.”

To expand its offerings, NEBDHub has hired several students from DSI’s master’s program to develop new projects for the network’s rapidly growing global community.

Tushar Bura’s Project: Investigating Bias in Advertising Algorithms

Bura’s advertising project exemplifies NEBDHub’s approach to accessible, hands-on data science education, teaching practical skills while offering  insights about the world. 

Through this guided projects, students work directly with real-world, cleaned datasets, complete with visualizations, to uncover patterns and generate their own insights—building valuable skills while exploring the forces shaping digital advertising.

One of the key findings students examine is how ad-blocking software disrupts traditional targeting models, sometimes causing users to receive ads intended for entirely different demographics.

“If advertising services don’t have data on you, they tend to go with the demographic who clicks most—typically older or lower-income groups,” Bura explains.

Expanding Data Science Education for All

Bura’s project is one of many free, hands-on learning opportunities the NEBDHub offers to a global audience of students, educators, and professionals.

Bura says he’s thrilled to pass on knowledge he has gained since arriving at Columbia. “I studied computer science in my undergrad at a public university in Delhi where I took a lot of data courses. But it wasn’t until my first year at Columbia when I fully understood algorithmic bias. I wish I had learned about it earlier.”

With its growing library of free online lessons, the NEBDHub continues to equip learners with the tools to solve real-world data challenges. Through partnerships across academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, the hub remains at the forefront of global data science education.

Exploring Algorithmic Bias: A Hands-On Learning Opportunity in Data Science

We’ve all been targeted with online ads that seem strangely accurate – or completely off the mark. For Tushar Bura, an MS graduate from the Columbia University Data Science Institute (DSI), this inconsistency sparked a deeper look into how advertising algorithms work—and whether they may contain embedded biases.

As part of his work with the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub (NEBDHub), which is housed at the Data Science Institute, Bura analyzed 1,500 consumer interactions with online ads, looking for patterns in how people engage with advertising and how algorithms respond. His findings didn’t just reveal user behavior—they also highlighted possible biases in advertising models, such as a tendency to prioritize older or lower-income demographics when data is limited.

Bura’s findings are now part of a hands-on data science project at the NEBDHub, which offers free, open-source experiential learning opportunities for students, educators, and professionals  worldwide. Through the NEBDHub’s Data Science Projects program, participants can work directly with real-world data, building analytical skills through unique projects.  

Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub: A Global Resource at the Data Science Institute

Bura’s project is one of many produced by the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub (NEBDHub), one of four NSF-funded Big Data Innovation Hubs in the U.S.  

“The mission of the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub is to build and strengthen partnerships across industry, academia, nonprofits, and government to address these challenges and accelerate innovation in the national big data ecosystem,” says  Florence Hudson, NEBDHub’s Executive Director.

A core part of that mission is advancing data literacy through free skills-building lessons, such as the one Bura developed. Since its launch, lessons have reached over 5,200 students across 1,000 schools in 30+ countries, offering training in Python, SQL, geospatial analysis, machine learning, and other data science skills.

“We’ve identified key skills that our community may need support to learn about outside of their coursework,” explains Lauren Close, NEBDHub’s Operations and Communications Manager. “These lessons are designed to help students and professionals gain the skills they need to address critical challenges.”

To expand its offerings, NEBDHub has hired several students from DSI’s master’s program to develop new projects for the network’s rapidly growing global community.

Tushar Bura’s Project: Investigating Bias in Advertising Algorithms

Bura’s advertising project exemplifies NEBDHub’s approach to accessible, hands-on data science education, teaching practical skills while offering  insights about the world. 

Through this guided projects, students work directly with real-world, cleaned datasets, complete with visualizations, to uncover patterns and generate their own insights—building valuable skills while exploring the forces shaping digital advertising.

One of the key findings students examine is how ad-blocking software disrupts traditional targeting models, sometimes causing users to receive ads intended for entirely different demographics.

“If advertising services don’t have data on you, they tend to go with the demographic who clicks most—typically older or lower-income groups,” Bura explains.

Expanding Data Science Education for All

Bura’s project is one of many free, hands-on learning opportunities the NEBDHub offers to a global audience of students, educators, and professionals.

Bura says he’s thrilled to pass on knowledge he has gained since arriving at Columbia. “I studied computer science in my undergrad at a public university in Delhi where I took a lot of data courses. But it wasn’t until my first year at Columbia when I fully understood algorithmic bias. I wish I had learned about it earlier.”

With its growing library of free online lessons, the NEBDHub continues to equip learners with the tools to solve real-world data challenges. Through partnerships across academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, the hub remains at the forefront of global data science education.

If you would like to get involved with the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub, you can sign up for a project or join the Portfolio & Network Building Group to hone their professional development skills.