The Data Science Institute (DSI) Advisory Board is established to provide strategic counsel to the Institute's leadership. The Board ensures that the DSI remains a global leader in high-impact research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ethical application of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The Board bridges the gap between Brown University’s academic mission and the broader technological landscape, ensuring that the DSI’s trajectory aligns with the needs of a rapidly evolving global society.

The Board focuses its efforts on four primary areas of impact:

1. Strategic Direction & Planning: Advising on long-term initiatives to ensure the Institute remains at the forefront of data science and AI research and pedagogy.
2. Educational Excellence: Evaluating and enhancing the educational experience to ensure students across all disciplines achieve data fluency and professional readiness.
3. Advocacy & Profile Elevation: Working with campus leadership to champion the DSI’s mission, highlighting the critical interplay among the traditional disciplines, data science, computer science, and AI within the Brown community and the world.
4. Financial Vitality & Advancement: Coordinating with University Advancement and leadership to identify, cultivate, and secure the philanthropic and corporate resources necessary to achieve the Institute’s strategic goals.
5. Focus on Equity and Ethics: Central to the Board’s mandate is the DSI’s commitment to social responsibility. The Board’s provides oversight to ensure that the power of data is leveraged toward a more equitable society, guiding the Institute in its mission to redesign and re-imagine the technological landscape for the public good.

The Board is designed for agility and high-level expertise, adhering to the following structure:

• Composition: The Board consists of a Chair (or Co-Chairs) and 6-12 members, selected for their distinguished careers and expertise in relevant fields.
• Appointments: Members and the Chair(s) are appointed by the DSI Director.

To fulfill its mission without placing an undue burden on members’ time, the Board operates under the following guidelines:

• Meeting Cadence: The Board formally convenes approximately twice per year (fall and spring).
• Format: We aim to have one meeting per year be in person and one meeting per year be remote to encourage wide participation. Meetings will last 1-2 hours each, before and after which, Board members will have the opportunity to informally interact with DSI faculty, staff, and students. Meetings will be framed around specific topics that will be announced well before the meetings to facilitate deep discussion with the DSI Director and Executive Committee. Board members will be sent a packet of relevant information and preparatory questions before each meeting.