Data Science: Ethical decision-making in practice

Overview

Learn how to make ethical and responsible decisions in real data science projects. This course introduces the foundations of data ethics, professional ethics, and ethical decision-making, giving you the tools to appraise project methods with confidence. You’ll explore how responsible choices shape outcomes, how to recognise risks in data- driven work, and how to apply ethical frameworks throughout the project lifecycle. Designed with practical application in mind, the course helps you build the judgement needed for working in modern data science roles. By the end, you’ll understand the conditions for responsibility, be able to evaluate methodological decisions, and feel equipped to navigate ethical challenges in data-intensive environments.

Syllabus

Week 1: Professional ethics

In this short course, you will explore the features and practices common to professions and consider whether the field of data science should professionalise or not. You will also examine the conditions for responsibility and apply them to the possible consequences of data science. You will evaluate the value of professions having their own codes of ethics and what the implications could be for your practice in the field of data science. Finally, you will consider the circumstances under which data scientists may have a responsibility to speak out against wrongdoing.