Search results
Predictive Analytics in the UN Context
Apply and use data in your work! Learn how to influence decision-making through a strong command of accurate and timely data. This three-week online course is designed to enhance your ability to apply basic techniques to develop predictive models from data.
Our world is changing fast. The ability to anticipate emerging trends and predict their effects has become increasingly important when developing policies and programmes that "leave no one behind.”
This course is intended to teach you how to develop predictive models from data. Predictive analytics involves the use of current and historical data, statistical algorithms and machine learning to identify the likelihood of future outcomes.
This is an intermediate-level course. Participants must possess a basic understanding of data analytics (see the course, Fundamentals of Data Analytics in the UN Context).
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Explore data to better understand relationships among variables;
- Apply some basic techniques to develop predictive models from data;
- Choose and implement appropriate performance measures for predictive models;
- Understand how ensemble modeling can improve predictions.
This course is delivered entirely online, in partnership with IE University faculty and key experts in data analytics. It combines live webinar sessions, led by subject-matter experts, with self-paced activities and interactive group discussions.
The weekly instructor-led webinars are conducted in Zoom. The webinars will take place on 1, 8, and 15 December from 15:00 to 16:30 CET. Participants need a computer (or mobile device), a reliable internet connection, and either a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through a computer or a telephone. We recommend accessing audio through a computer. No special software is required, but participants must be able to access Zoom. We will send instructions for Zoom access to registered participants and recommend that you download the application and test your access in advance.
The self-paced components and discussion forum for each week of the course are designed and structured on UNKampus, a UNSSC learning platform.
Week 1: Why prediction and modelling from data?
- Predictive modelling in the UN
- What is a predictive model?
- Time dimension in predictive analytics
Week 2: Predictive Analytics
- Modelling from data - applications
- Predictive modelling - regressions
- Machine Learning for predictive modelling
Week 3: Applying predictive analytics in intergovernmental scenarios
- The wisdom of the crowds- ensembles and multi-modelling
- What can and cannot be predicted, black swans and future tellers
- Ethical issues in machine learning
The practices will be performed using BigML, which is a tool that offers a free license.
This course is for all UN personnel (professional and general service staff) at headquarters and field locations. If you are interested in a broader data analytics experience, we highly recommend also enrolling in Fundamentals of Data Analytics in the UN Context.
The course fee is $750
