Emily Yu, BA Geography with Social Data Science

Emily tells us about the kinds of tools she's learning to use and her aims for the future.

Why were you interested in studying Geography with Social Data Science generally?

In these times of rapid change, the interdisciplinary nature of geography is crucial for understanding the geopolitical, social, economic, and human aspects of our planet.

Simultaneously, the study of these facts and the inherent connections with the field of social data science demand the management of substantial volumes of social data while employing sound logical and quantitative methods of analysis.

Consequently, the convergence of geography and social data science provides me with new avenues, techniques, and methodologies to explore the intricate relationship between human societies and the spatial dimensions of our world.

What was it that encouraged you to choose UCL to study it? 

University College London (UCL) is a globally recognised institution with a distinguished reputation for academic excellence, offering an extensive array of research and educational opportunities, with its Department of Geography consistently ranking among the top ten globally.

What sets UCL apart is its unwavering commitment to providing students with a diverse range of academic pathways. In addition to traditional BA and BSc Geography programmes, UCL also offers innovative options such as the BA Geography with Social Data Science, which grants students access to professors from four of UCL's world-leading faculties, enhancing their research capabilities and skills.

It is for these compelling reasons that I wholeheartedly chose UCL as my university of choice.

What were the most interesting or engaging things you learned on the course so far? 

One of the most engaging parts of the course undoubtedly revolved around learning R Studio software, which offers a wide range of tools for organising and analysing data in a manner that directly contributes to optimising my research and academic work.

The journey from being a beginner to confidently using the software to tackle a variety of questions was incredibly rewarding. This experience allowed me to grasp the fundamentals of R Studio and continually build upon that knowledge, fostering innovation, and creating a strong synergy between my academic pursuits and practical software skills.

Can you tell us about any particularly memorable experiences from your time as a student with us? 

The weekly lectures and seminars during my freshman year were meticulously conducted, reflecting a high degree of care and precision.

The lecturers and seminar tutors skilfully guided us in applying the knowledge acquired from lectures and textbooks to real-life scenarios, enriching our learning with pertinent information.

Personally, I consistently received professional and timely responses to my inquiries from the professors, which greatly amplified my engagement and active participation in the programme, leading to a deeper understanding of the course content.

What do you hope to do in the future? 

Drawing upon my educational background, which encompasses expertise in both geography and social data science, my aspiration is to specialise in spatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

I aspire to create intelligent and visually informative geographic and social data applications that will serve as efficient and accurate tools for informed decision-making. My goal is to contribute my expertise to a leading think tank where I can actively participate in shaping impactful strategies and solutions.

Would you recommend studying Social Data Science in the Department and why? 

I highly recommend pursuing a degree in Geography and Social Data Science. Social Data Science offers a unique perspective on Geography that blends subjective and objective social insights.

This not only enriches the applications of geography but also broadens the horizons of social data analysis. I believe that this specialisation provides a strong scientific background and skill set for students seeking to innovate and build a solid foundation for the future.

More information

• Find out more about the UCL Social Data Institute
• Interested in following in Emily's footsteps? Visit our Study pages to find out more